Check out a photographed UPS horror story

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Great horny toads.

http://homepage.mac.com/simonster/PhotoAlbum3.html

This is why we call them “Oops.” Mr. Pug buys and sells used stereo equipment on E-bay, and uses UPS a lot. He had a similar experience and has not used them since.

2

I used to receive computers all the time via UPS, never a problem. Why? Because the computer is fitted in styrofoam stuff, not wimply ass bubble wrap. Who’s the ding dong that sent that guy computer components with bubble wrap.

That goes in the category of “DUH.”

3

I am always amazed at how most people just do not have a clue as to how to pack something for shipping. No sense of mass, inertia, etc. You cannot pack a light item the same as a heavy item.

4

Let’s not forget the box that was used. I can see that it was a UHAUL box, and those UHAUL boxes are notorious for falling apart under heavy loads. Not all boxes are created equal. If you ever look on the under side of them, they are actually rated, and those, in particular, are exceptionally weak.

When you have a computer rolling around inside, banging on the sides, the box is surely gonna fall apart, even if the contents are padded. It’s the sheer weight that tears the box apart. The only thing that can stop it is if it doesn’t bang on the sides, and that’s accomplished with, as techchick68 pointed out, fitted styofoam.

5

I want to add a few things to my post:

  1. Never throw out the box that your computer came in along with the styro stuff. If you ever have to ship it (even via a mover) you are more likely to get the thing in one piece.

  2. Many people handle those boxes, sometimes they are in regular planes in the cargo hold – ever seen what baggage handlers do to your luggage? Most all shipping companies aren’t exactly lily handed with any box.

  3. Insurance on an item is not much better than insuring your worldly goods during a professional move. You get about 33 cents on the dollar and even that’s not guaranteed. If you must send something that expensive across country, yes you are best using a professional shipper in wooden crates but that’s still no guarantee.

  4. If you must move items that are of big value and you can, move it yourself. Renter’s and Homeowner’s insurance will most likely cover the loss of your item (depending on your policy) if you move the item yourself. I have replacement coverage so when I am moving my stuff, the computer goes with me in the car. Wish I could do the same with my antiques but I can’t handle that in my Honda.

  5. Keep the boxes your computer came in. I can’t stress that enough. Use good quality tape and don’t have a little note written on a peice of white paper as “fragile” use big Avery stickers and in red ink, write FRAGILE in five different places on the box. Oh and use the original box your computer came in.

< techchick pounds that last point in the ground but it’s true, having shipped computers to remote sites, one gets to know how to properly ship a computer. >