how high is the drop test at ups?

metro i agree. the components were strapped to the xover board with tie downs and one of them even snapped, unbelievable. i would fix this myself but the circuit board itself cracked clean thru and a dime size piece of it is dangling unattached now. and chadnilz ups is ok with me. there is a first time for everything and with that many people there are sure to be a few that act like the gorillas in the old samsonite commercial. but i try to be easy to get along with these days. haha john

As someone who needed to send and receive a lot of packages, I got to see the good and bad of each shipper.

Overall, this is my opinion on shipping in the USA:
FedEX - Best means to ship larger packages. Damage rate higher than USPS, and dealing with a claim is more involved/less certain

UPS - Avoid, if possible. Highest rates, most likelihood of damage, most difficult to make a claim for damage, and least likely to pay on that claim

USPS - Best means to ship smaller packages. Priority Mail will get a package anywhere in the country within 2 (at most, 3) days (up to 5 days for comparable UPS and FedEX service), often at the best rate. The USPS handles packages safely, with an inordinately low damage rate, and is by far the easiest to deal with in terms of paying out on a claim

NOTE: Do not, under ANY circumstances send or receive a package via UPS when dealing with a USA/Canada border crossing. To do so is to invite a shocking degree of holdup in delivery, cost/fees incurred, and even higher probability of damage due to poor repacking after inspection.

I ship a lot of high end goods (expensive large diaphragm tube microphones) every day. I've had lots of stuff dropped. UPS and FedX seem about the same to me, I think its just what happens to that particular box that time. The only universal I have found is shipping a single box internationally really beats stuff up-I have the most damage exporting.

The rule the inspectors have applied when they came to inspect a damaged box is "is there 2 inches of space around the item inside to the inside edge of the box?". Even if factory packaging, if its less than 2 inches the insurance you bought through them is null and void. SO if your carton has only 1 inches of space between the box and the unit, to ship it put it in another box that will offer another 1 inch of space around the smaller carton and you're good. I've had the most rejections over insurance claims over this issue.

Concealed damage inside, no box damage, that IS a tough one. I have lost a lot of these arguments with UPS and FedX. They rightly cannot be responsible if a manufacturer does not support a PC board in the right places. I actually had to redesign the mechanicals of a product once due to board flexing (large board with transformer in the middle supported only at the corners did not ship well). But I have won a few arguments with UPS and FedX on concealed damage. LOTS of pictures help. The best thing is to be nice, be patient, as it is a living breathing person (who may be having a bad day) making the determination. I think you have to sell them, make them WANT to help you because you deserve it. If you come at them like they are a bunch of jerks breaking everything I think you are gonna get a no!

When I did alot of product management we used 6 foot drop as our drop test. Sorting terminals use multiple belts that "drop" the box to a belt below, which drops the box off to another belt and so on to get to the right place. SO it could fall on a corner, fall flat on side, the top, etc.

I still double box everything with anti-stat peanuts (the pink ones) in between inner and outer box and that seems to work the best. NEVER use white peanuts with electronics-the static generated when they rub together can damage electronics! Anti stat peanuts are pink, but ask to be sure. If the shipping office you use has no anti stat peanuts, use wadded up moving paper.
Brad

update, contacted the company [Phase Technology] and asked them if they would send me a crossover so i could fix the speaker. i even volunteered to pay for it. they told me they would rather just send me a new speaker and for me to send mine back. i guess the mix of great service and my willingness to offer a compromise worked out great. the speakers are not warmed up yet but this is awesome service and is an example of about 90 % of my interactions with audio companies. thank you Phase Technology, john batten

Wow, success story. Good for you. And Bravo to Phase Technolgy.