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Shipping Methods - Best Practices

buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
in Lost Dogs
I was thinking about shipping some records in the near future and thought it might be nice to gather some info from the pros on the board. Any input is appreciated. Pictures courtesy of Tempo's how UPS handles fragile packages thread. That incident mad me sad and I would like to avoid, if at all possible - please feel to add info for all types of items you might ship. http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/comment/5712148#Comment_5712148 - Thanks, Justin
photo Image3_zpsb7ad0422.jpgphoto Image4_zpsd8e382c9.jpg

Comments

  • VedderMTLVedderMTL Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,401
    What a waste. Sorry for your loss man !
  • MT132914MT132914 Posts: 188
    if the record is open, take it out of the sleeve, this will stop the sleeve from getting seam splits due to the record moving around. Other than that, a sturdy box with the record wrapped in plenty bubble wrap will help. That being said nothing will stop the above happening if the postal worker is determined to squeeze a package into a small opening.
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,345
    I've had zero problems using UPS to ship - the guy that runs our store knows how to pack shit up though, so its ready for any sort of shipment scenario. Ok, maybe not every scenario, like if the package gets re-routed to Mt. Doom or something.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    Never shipped anything UPS, thought it was too expensive. What's it cost to ship a record these days?
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,345
    I keep the shipping containers from old vinyl purchases/trades. Saves on cost there. I usually spend under $10 when I ship. Sometimes USPS is cheaper.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 93,963
    DAMN!!! RIP to that Yield vinyl. RIP!!! :(

    Yeah don't EVER ship by UPS or FedEx. If you do just kiss your shipped items goodbye!

    Here in Canada I use Canada Post. They are awesome. And I would never use any other delivery service, period. When I ask sellers from the USA to ship to Canada, I pray that they use USPS. If it's UPS or FedEx, to Canada, say good night!

    UPS's business is to ruin you & your package. I've seen enough video footage of them handling packages & asking for extreme custom charges / service fees. I've had to email artists & sellers who only use UPS to help me out and use USPS instead. Thank god!! I have always been satisfied when my merchandise that is being shipped from the USA to Canada is done by USPS.

  • PP193448PP193448 Here Posts: 4,282
    Just like the Vault 4 was shipped. Box in a box with nice puffy bubble wrap.
    2006 Clev,Pitt; 2008 NY MSGx2; 2010 Columbus; 2012 Missoula; 2013 Phoenix,Vancouver,Seattle; 2014 Cincy; 2016 Lex, Wrigley 1&2; 2018 Wrigley 1&2; 2022 Louisville
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,538
    The person that sent me that record did EVERYTHING right. Record mailer, check. Bubble wrap, check. Marked fragile, check.
    What's sad is that I can't get paid the insurance took out on it...
  • MT132914MT132914 Posts: 188
    tempo_n_groove said:

    The person that sent me that record did EVERYTHING right. Record mailer, check. Bubble wrap, check. Marked fragile, check.
    What's sad is that I can't get paid the insurance took out on it...

    you have to be kidding...what was the reason they gave for declining the insurance, did they try to say your letterbox was too small?

  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,538
    MT132914 said:

    tempo_n_groove said:

    The person that sent me that record did EVERYTHING right. Record mailer, check. Bubble wrap, check. Marked fragile, check.
    What's sad is that I can't get paid the insurance took out on it...

    you have to be kidding...what was the reason they gave for declining the insurance, did they try to say your letterbox was too small?

    No. Can't verify the amount the record is worth. eBay sales don't count.
  • whofeelslikeadrankwhofeelslikeadrank Posts: 2,702
    complete bullshit. and the shipment was insured?
    First: ATL2 04/03/1994
    Last: SEA2 08/10/2018
    Next: ??
    http://expressobeans.com/members/collections.php?id=29417
    “I think you won, but I enjoyed the fight” - EV
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,538
    whofeelslikeadrank said:

    complete bullshit. and the shipment was insured?

    Yes...
  • whofeelslikeadrankwhofeelslikeadrank Posts: 2,702
    well what good is the insurance if they won't honor a claim? that's bullshit.
    First: ATL2 04/03/1994
    Last: SEA2 08/10/2018
    Next: ??
    http://expressobeans.com/members/collections.php?id=29417
    “I think you won, but I enjoyed the fight” - EV
  • starmap3333starmap3333 Posts: 3,925
    USPS media mail del conf. Cheap and never had a problem.
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,112
    edited February 2015
    The more solid the package the better. If it's literally impervious to bending, all the better. I've never done it, but I figure putting a sheet of plywood or something in there (along with bubble wrap and surrounded by a solid mailer of course) would make it next to impossible for a record to get damaged like that, unless it literally got run over by a truck.
    I also recently read here that putting BREAKABLE on the package, rather than fragile, might inspire the people handling it to be slightly more careful. Not sure if that's true, but it couldn't hurt. I think that might be because people put "fragile" on just about anything these days, so "breakable" stands out more.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • foodshop65foodshop65 Connecticut Posts: 731
    a recap on the above.
    you need record mailers.
    keep lp in inner sleeve, pack out of jacket
    if you have a plastic sleeve to put them in, this minimizes movement for splits and tears
    make 2 card board inserts, the same size as the lp jacket. one on bottom and one on top
    this should take up all the space in the mailer
    make sure all sides on mailer are folded tight
    don't be cheap with tape and especially re-enforce the corners
    you know you are safe if you if there is no movement in the package
    media mail is your cheapest USPS method with delivery confirmation
    i never mark fragile as it seems to encourage handler to see just how fragile it really is
    if it is over $100, send it Priority Mail, it's handled less
    good luck!
    Randall's Island 9-29-1996, MSG 9-10/11-1998, Meadows, CT 9-13-1998, Sacramento 10-30-2000, Bridge School 10-26-2002,MSG 9-8/9-2003, Hartford 2013, Amsterdam 2014(2), Memphis 2014, MSG 5-1/2-2016, Fenway 8-7-16, Fenway 9-2/4-18 MSG 9-11-22
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    had no idea it was so much cheaper to weigh and ship your own packages with USPS.com. I guess I should get a printer and scale.
  • -.- Glorified GnothingMan -.--.- Glorified GnothingMan -.- Posts: 434
    tempo_n_groove said:

    MT132914 said:

    tempo_n_groove said:

    The person that sent me that record did EVERYTHING right. Record mailer, check. Bubble wrap, check. Marked fragile, check.
    What's sad is that I can't get paid the insurance took out on it...

    you have to be kidding...what was the reason they gave for declining the insurance, did they try to say your letterbox was too small?

    No. Can't verify the amount the record is worth. eBay sales don't count.
    What if a "professional", whoever that may be, gave a statement saying this album, in the condition it was in, is worth suchnsuch dollars? By their logic, they could ruin/lose your 1920 one-of-a-kind Ty Cobb rookie card and they could tell you it's worth a wooden nickel.

    What if you just had the guy you got it from write you a receipt for whatever you paid (or if you traded, pick a random number like $190 or whatever)? If you paid that, doesn't that prove it's value?

    That seems ludicrous to me. Sorry to hear of your crappy experience.


    The only thing I'll pitch about packaging is - get yourself a tape gun, get a bulk pack of packing tape rolls, and DON'T BE SHY WITH THE TAPE! I tape the hell out of my packages. If nothing else, it gives it just a bit more protective padding if it's dropped or tossed around.
    ~~~~~~~Vinyl For Sale (shipping costs in North America included)~~~~~~~
    The Who - Phases Box Set. Ltd. Ed. All 9 studio albums w/ Moon (11 discs) $200
    ^discogs entry link^
    Peter Gabriel - Up 200 gram 'Classic Records' audiophile version. Sealed. $225
    ^discogs entry link^
    Van Halen - I 180 gram Remastered 'DCC Compact Classic' version. Ltd. Ed. (#53!). Sealed. $175
    ^discogs entry link^
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • GratefulJamGratefulJam Posts: 1,803
    When I had a claim long ago. I took in the expressobeans.com sales history and that worked at he Post Office. Not sure about UPS.
    tempo_n_groove said:

    MT132914 said:

    tempo_n_groove said:

    The person that sent me that record did EVERYTHING right. Record mailer, check. Bubble wrap, check. Marked fragile, check.
    What's sad is that I can't get paid the insurance took out on it...

    you have to be kidding...what was the reason they gave for declining the insurance, did they try to say your letterbox was too small?

    No. Can't verify the amount the record is worth. eBay sales don't count.
    "thru extensive negotiations we managed to get the curfew moved back..... we still don't have any time to fu&k around...."

    LA II 06, SB 06, SF III 06, Kokua 07 Ed and Jack, Grant Park 07, EV Berk1 & LA 1 (nice job 10c), 08 DC, MSG1 &2, VH1 rocks, EV Bos II, EV NYC I & II, Milwaukee, EV Maui, EV Hono I & II, Chicago 09 I & II, LA 09 I & II & IV, SD 09 (my girlfriend hit the lottery, best concert of my life 10C rocks)KC 2010, STL 2010, Hartford. Boston, and MSG I & II "who goes around skinning cats anyway", PJ 20 2011 , Portland, Spokane, Seattle LA 2013, Home Shows + Missoula (fatal 👌)
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    edited March 2015
    discogs.com is a good place for verify pricing on records.
  • andyfarrimondandyfarrimond Posts: 1,974
    I shipped a record with USPS Media Mail last week and when it got to the addressee, the packing tape had been cut and the 6LP set had been removed. They still delivered the empty shipper with a note on it saying that there were no contents! USPS denied any claim because I hadn't purchased any additional insurance. So, yes, Media Mail is generally good, but they USPS is clearly not without problems.
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    sorry man. That sucks.
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    Anyone have a good method(s) for shipping posters?
  • Leash_In_HidingLeash_In_Hiding Posts: 691
    I shipped a framed poster using UPS Pack and Ship, it made it safely and was packaged pretty well, little pricey but they are on the hook if anything goes wrong in transit since they packaged it
    The best revenge is to live on and prove yourself - EV

  • arqarq Posts: 8,049
    Leash_In_Hiding said:

    I shipped a framed poster using UPS Pack and Ship, it made it safely and was packaged pretty well, little pricey but they are on the hook if anything goes wrong in transit since they packaged it

    They aren't in the hook, check their policy, I did the same and the item arrived damaged it, I had to go 3 times to the store, send multiple emails and spend a lot of time in the phone to get the money from the insurance.
    "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it"
    Neil deGrasse Tyson

    Why not (V) (°,,,,°) (V) ?
  • Leash_In_HidingLeash_In_Hiding Posts: 691
    edited August 2015
    Oh really? The way it was explained to me made it sound that way, I purchased the full value of insurance also. I thought the only way the seller was on the hook was if they used their own ups account to bill the shipping to instead of being billed directly by the ups store
    The best revenge is to live on and prove yourself - EV

  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,112
    edited August 2015
    buck502000 said:

    Anyone have a good method(s) for shipping posters?

    The most important thing of all is not to use too narrow a tube. The bigger the diameter of the tube the better. And always roll the poster with acid free liner paper.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 93,963
    PJ_Soul said:

    Roll them up with acid free paper and put 'em in a poster tube, the bigger the diameter of the tube the better.

    buck502000 said:

    Anyone have a good method(s) for shipping posters?

    The most important thing of all is not to use too narrow a tube. The bigger the diameter of the tube the better. And always roll the poster with acid free liner paper.
    Also a great & safe way to ship posters is ..

    With Canada Post, I like to ship my poster tubes inside their rectangular poster tube boxes they have at the post office. They are only $3.99 something. Adds a little more protection when shipping. Kinda wish they had the same triangle boxes Munk One, Jeff Soto, Maxx242 and many other artists uses with USPS. Those are great.
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