The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Last Wednesday, I won a Type B "Eagle" Graphophone on eBay (my 8th example!). The seller's other items were smallish antique chachkas such as one would find inside display cases in an antique mall. According to the listing, he was planning on shipping an Eagle via Priority Mail for $7.85 (which is impossible).

We all know the damage that can ensue when folks who are unfamiliar with antique phonographs pack them, so within 10 minutes of winning the machine, I sent this note to the seller:


11:54am 10/23
Hello!

I'm the winner of your Model B Graphophone... I'd like to ask a favor regarding shipping this, which is pretty easy. These 3 simple steps will ensure a good transaction for us both.

1) Please remove the "Reproducer" and wrap it in toilet paper or tissue, then either place it inside the machine or inside an empty cylinder box with a wad a paper in the end so it won't fall out. The reproducer is the only part liable to be damaged in transit.

2) Please be sure nothing will scratch the decal in transit. Wrapping the entire machine in a few layers of paper or a layer of bubblewrap should do the trick.

3) As you know, this machine cannot be shipped via Priority Mail for $7.85. That's only a small Priority box and this will require a bigger one. Please, please use a box large enough so that the machine is surrounded by at least 2-3 inches of bubblewrap or styrofoam peanuts on all sides. I will gladly pay for the necessary shipping cost. Just invoice me and I'll remit via PayPal.


I very much appreciate your care in packaging this machine so it won't be damaged in transit.

Best wishes,

A day and a half later, I received this from the seller:

5:21pm 10/24: I did not see this post until after I had shipped it but it should be fine I ship things quite a bit I run an auction house and I ship out of my dads antique mall so I have done a lot of shipping over the years

In a separate email sent a minute later, he added:

5:22 pm 10/24: If you have any problems let me know you can return it and I will refund it but I think everything is wrapped in bubble wrap and should be safe

"I think...?" Well...okay. What could I do? Then I received a notice from eBay that my parcel had been shipped. Via UPS. Uh oh... I sent the seller another message:

10:08pm 10/24: I just noticed that the machine is being shipped via UPS. I'm not happy about that, as your listing specified USPS Priority Mail. UPS has a bad record among us collectors for damaging antique phonographs, so if you have not yet delivered it, please send it USPS Priority Mail. I offered to pay the shipping cost for Priority Mail and will gladly do so.

George

The seller was becoming annoyed with my unreasonable demands, and as usual replied a day later:

5:59pm 10/25: I discussed with the manager at my fathers antique mall on how to ship this eBay had automatically selected the shipping I have never had anyone send me specific instructions on how to ship I tried to ship right away before I saw any of the emails this seems to be a difficult process for you if you would like to refuse the package let’s just go ahead and refund you the money so that this does not create such a problem


I had checked the UPS site with my tracking number, but all it said was that "Shipping Info Received." It did not show that the box was in transit. So, I replied:

9:49pm 10/25: I don't want to refuse the package - - I just want it to arrive undamaged. I've had items arrive broken in the past, and I want to avoid that for both our sake. That's why I offered the 3 simple packing tips. I'm not trying to be difficult, although I'm sure it comes off that way.

I don't know if you've shipped the machine or not. The UPS site says no. If that's the case, the safer route would be USPS Priority Mail - - and once again I'll gladly pay the difference. But if you believe the machine is properly packaged to survive UPS handling, then let's roll the dice. I've done what I can to help protect the machine during transit.

I apologize for the annoyance. I was only trying to help. I'm looking forward to receiving the package.

George

Three days went by, and even as I type this, the UPS site states only that "Shipping Info Received." But the box arrived today, and when I saw the UPS guy bringing it up the sidewalk, my heart sank because the box was so small. I carried it to the kitchen table and wearily fired up the camera for what I feared was the inevitable claim. Here we go... Uh oh... This doesn't look good... Yeah... Just what I thought... Well, it survived 110 years... Man that's a tight fit... But the Eagle arrived with no damage! Lucky me...!

The moral? The seller was absolutely right - - I was being an unreasonable ass. After all, the Eagle made it, right?

I'll send him pictures of the broken cylinder, but I'm sure he will agree with the statement above.

George P.

There is so much that could be said about people who take offense in friendly advice and who know everything better anyway. It sure is a sad end for that Special K Amberol cylinder, but I'm glad that your Eagle arrived safely.

Andreas

I am a UPS driver and it just amazes me how poorly people box things up. My helper last year at Christmas was surprised at how many boxes had "up" arrows written on the box, and the address label on the bottom of the box. People just do not understand at all how much stuff is in the system. I'm glad your machine got there in good shape. Those 4 minute wax records have to be one of the most fragile things that was ever made for every day usage. It's a wonder any of them have survived. They must have been a little less fragile when they were new. Columbia sure made a lot of really nice looking machines.

Earl

Thanks Andreas. I've had eBay sellers express their appreciation for the tips I've offered in the past. After all, what percentage of eBay sellers ship phonographs and records on a regular basis?

Here's what I just sent the Eagle's seller:

Hello.

I just wanted to let you know that the Model B Graphophone arrived today undamaged. I have left you positive feedback.

You should be aware that luck played a part in this happy outcome, as the box would have offered very little protection had it been crushed or punctured. Check the photos below to see what happened to the record after surviving 110 years.

I have over 50 years experience with antique phonographs, and I've seen some beautiful items ruined through insufficient packing. What works for knives, fountain pens, and other small items is too often the cause of damage to delicate machinery. I write this in hopes that the luck I enjoyed in this transaction will not be necessary for your next customer. Don't take this as a personal affront, but rather as a learning experience. Decades ago, I made the same mistake.

Regards,
George

I doubt I'll hear anything back, but I'll bet he's happy to be finished with me!

George P.

EarlH wrote:I am a UPS driver and it just amazes me how poorly people box things up. My helper last year at Christmas was surprised at how many boxes had "up" arrows written on the box, and the address label on the bottom of the box. People just do not understand at all how much stuff is in the system. I'm glad your machine got there in good shape. Those 4 minute wax records have to be one of the most fragile things that was ever made for every day usage. It's a wonder any of them have survived. They must have been a little less fragile when they were new. Columbia sure made a lot of really nice looking machines.

Earl

UPS really stepped up on this one, Earl. One drop off the conveyor and that Eagle would have been hammered. If not for the careful handling it received, I would not be very contented today. I was worried too, because I've never seen another Eagle like this one.

George P.

People think that stuff gets damaged on purpose. And I'm sure UPS has it's share of jerks in the system. But it really is the enormous amount of stuff that gets handled everyday. I had an insurance guy tell me 15-20 years ago that the average person working on the belts handles about 9,000 pounds of stuff in a 4 hour shift. There aren't too many jobs like that anymore. And the pace is certainly faster now than it was in those days. I have no idea where he got that statistic from, but actuaries do live in their own world.... I usually set stuff on the floor of the truck if I know the person getting packages usually gets fragile things. It can't jump down on the floor if it's already there!

Well good luck with your machine. It's too bad Edison wasn't a little more into dressing his cabinets up, but I suppose with the numbers of machines they were selling, they didn't feel any need for that.

EarlH wrote:People think that stuff gets damaged on purpose. And I'm sure UPS has it's share of jerks in the system. But it really is the enormous amount of stuff that gets handled everyday. I had an insurance guy tell me 15-20 years ago that the average person working on the belts handles about 9,000 pounds of stuff in a 4 hour shift.

When I was in college, a nearby UPS shipping center often posted jobs that paid extraordinarily well. I knew 2 or 3 guys who got hired, worked one shift - or less - and then quit. It was utterly back breaking work.

I sometimes request extras for packing / shipping at my own expenses but I ( ok it) with the seller before I win the auction and I ALWAYS WIN


Kevan

Man that was lucky (for the Eagle - anyway), George!

Some great experience [sic] on his part...

Fran

phonogfp wrote:..... I was worried too, because I've never seen another Eagle like this one.

George P.

I hope you post some pictures of this one George as I'd love to see this lucky survivor.