I have shipped a number of heavy and fragile items via the local UPS stores (there were 2 local stores here, now down to one). I have always let them pack the heavy items (and paid for the service). They do a good job and I have sold a number of scopes and other heavy instruments (spectrum analyzers) that way with no damage ever reported. One 466 scope that went to Columbia I packed myself using the UPS technique but twice (double boxed) and shipped USPS because UPS is such a pain with international shipments. No damage either. After getting friendly with the UPS store lady, she now lets me help with the packing operation and I get a discount on the cost. I can make extra sure the item is well packed that way and save a few $ (and save time).
YMMV Didier KO4BB Bill Hawkins wrote: >Two things come to mind - > >1. Has the restriction on shipping c(a)esium gone away? > >2. The R-390 class receivers are about the weight of a 5061. I've never >heard anything good from the r390 list about using UPS stores for >anything over 10-20 pounds. There have been disaster stories about the >condition of sets that were shipped by such stores. They don't understand >about double boxing and the ability of an object to settle to the bottom >of a pile of peanuts during shipment. Personally, my best shipping >experience was an R-391 (pickup only, many states away) that I had picked >up, crated and shipped by an air freight company. Cost $150 about 15 years >ago. Would have been more expensive if I hadn't picked it up from the air >freight terminal at the airport. > >Well, maybe three things ... > >3. Insurance pays the shipper if damage to the package can be proved >quickly by the shippee. It is best to be there and refuse to accept the >shipment if the box is leaking peanuts. Some trust is required for payment. > >Regards, >Bill Hawkins > > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list time-nuts@febo.com https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts