Wow! All the horror stories about packing and shipping! I'm driving from Oregon to Union and back and am interested in hauling things to and from the West Coast for gas money. Please let me know if you are interested and contact me off list. Thanks, Jerry Blais
____________________________________________________________________________________ 8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time with the Yahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#news From [email protected] Thu Feb 15 20:41:09 2007 From: [email protected] (Andrew Baron) Date: Thu Feb 15 20:41:40 2007 Subject: [Phono-L] Cardboard over crate - UPS In-Reply-To: <[email protected]> References: <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[email protected]> A few years ago I bought a Columbia Sterling with spearpoint oak horn (is it correct to refer to the Columbia version of this distinctive design as spear point --a term I've generally heard only in relation to Victor horns?). This was my first experience with the cardboard- over-crate. The seller told me that when he showed up at UPS with the crate that they wanted to charge him extra, so he took it home, cut cardboard squares to match the crate panels and taped them all over the crate! He went back and UPS gave him the better rate. This was one of those not so common eBay buys where the seller did an absolutely amazing job. Two crates, plenty of support, reinforced solid styrofoam panel with a hole in the center, spaced with styrofoam blocks to hold the mid section of the horn, removed and delicately packed the back support, tone arm, crank, etc. Six years later, this machine still has a warm place in my heart because of the incredibly respectful job the seller did with the packing. It was a one-owner machine from a small town in Minnesota called Graceville. Described as having "the usual wear and tear you would expect from a 90 year old record player", and accompanied on the auction page by some rather poor, low-resolution photos. When I unpacked it I couldn't believe the quality -- flawless original finish with both the banner and Graphophone decals (definitely original to this late Sterling, and in near perfect condition), better than average nickel on the crank, gorgeous horn, etc. Truly a joy to unpack. I started taking photos of the unpacking as soon as I realized what a singular job of packing this gentleman did, just so I could relive the event later (although this is the first time it occurs to me that I did this!). Definitely one of those rare occasions where the item was under-represented in terms of quality, and packed to exceed my best hopes. The seller did the packing himself and was selling the machine as a favor to his friend, an ancient lady to whom he was close, who was leaving the home she was raised in. Andy Baron On Feb 15, 2007, at 7:25 PM, Rich wrote: > UPS charges extra for anything other than square cardboard so you > will have to either pay the > surcharge or buy a box. That is why you build the wood crate > inside a cardboard box.... > > On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:26:41 -0500, Walt wrote: > >> This is also applicable to horn cranes and crane part shipping, so >> it is by >> no means off-topic. > >> About 5 years I sold a really nice late 1800's French dueling >> foil. The >> blade was expertly tempered, so I was a little reluctant to ship >> it. But >> what I did was first put it in a very heavy cardboard tube that I >> picked up >> at a carpet store. It was about 1/4" to 3/8" thick. I then put >> that inside >> of a USPS Priority Mail triangular shipping box. Actually, I used >> two boxes >> (one full length and the other cut off and fit over the end of the >> first) to >> accommodate the foil's length. The only part of the foil that >> wasn't covered >> by the tube was the coquille (which is really large and strong >> enough to >> ship just fine without extra protection). > >> In retrospect, Andy's idea of using PVC pipe seems like a better >> idea. Where >> were you 5 years ago when I needed the advice? LOL... > >> Anyway, the thoughts are good to think on when you pack and ship >> cranes and >> crane parts. That way, when the crane arrives, it will be in one >> piece and >> you won't have to slap the seller's cheek with your glove and >> challenge him >> to a duel. > >> Walt
