First hand information on UPS handling from a friend who worked with them (and perhaps old news to some of you) is that at some UPS transfer stations, conveyer belts run uphill and drop parcels several feet or more onto another conveyer below, "to avoid logjams in the processing".
The nightmare depicted in the photos of the destroyed Columbia reaffirm my feeling that the dark side of eBay is that so many significant and irreplaceable objects that have been quietly resting in dark dusty places, have of late been yanked out of their secure places, thrown in boxes, shipped and smashed. If I buy something on eBay that I'm the least bit concerned about shipping damage on, I always politely ask the seller to double box, pad securely, etc. I even offer to pay extra for their time and materials, which is an offer that's rarely taken up, although I think it can improve the care in packing. I agree; never be bashful when it comes to protecting our historical legacy. There have been good experiences as well, made more precious by the knowledge of how careless some can be. I bought a Columbia BI with a wood horn on eBay about four years ago, and was so impressed by the packing that I took photos, just after opening the box flaps, of the horn nestled in it's own special box, with carefully constructed pads and bracing to keep it centered and secure. Did this just to remind me of the warm feeling I got at that moment when my nervous thoughts were put to rest. Andy Baron Santa Fe, NM On Feb 4, 2006, at 11:49 AM, Mike Stitt wrote: > If one follows UPS edicts with the amount of material that should > surround the object, professional or not, you hit their 70 inch limit > very quickly. The local UPS rep told me it has to survive a five foot > drop (minimum). I just don't know why we should pay the high fees that > "professional packers" charge. Hell I'm willing to pay extra if they > would just show some care. Depending on value I might use the > professional packer and pay the special fee too. Ever looked at video > of > UPS unloading from airplanes to the conveyor belt. UPS could make a > whole lot more money on us because they don't give a crap how they > handle your goods or Americas heritage. Now that's capitalism at its > best!! Let's say 50K packages a day at $25.00 extra to special handle > (not beat up) is how much extra....to do the job you should be doing > anyway!!! > > Mike oldcranky > > If you hit the 70 inch limit they now will take oversize. > > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > [email protected] > > Phono-L Archive > http://www.oldcrank.org/pipermail/phono-l/ >
