Shipping/packing-what's the standard for pre & CD?

My opinion is that for $6k worth of equipment, effective double boxing is a must. The only amp I have ever had damaged was when I tried to ship something in the original (perfect shape) box/packing materials with no outer box. It got beat up by Fed Ex ground. They paid claim because I had pictures of unit and box before it was trashed.
Go to a Fed Ex place and get their brochure called "Safe packing techniques" or something like that. It details what Fed Ex consider safe packing techniques, and they will often not pay claims if these guidelines aren't met. It may seem like overkill, but if you are talking 6,000 bucks it would seem necessary.
As a seller, I would be happy to do the work of double boxing to save the incredible hassle of an insurance claim. The fact that you are offering to pay for it would make it even easier to justify in my opinion.
Just my take on it....

Seller has original boxes and thinks that this packaging should be sufficient and that FedEx 3 day would be better handle the packages than UPS or FedEx ground. Agree? Disagree?

... 3 day at a absolute minimum, at this price range and quality of gear, I would go 2 day or overnite ... DHL is great ...

Buyer thinks that the original boxes should each be placed in an additional box and surrounded with peanuts.

... yes, double box ...

Also thinks that the pre-amp tubes should be removed and packed separate. Is this best or is this overkill?

... not overkill, standard proceedure, for me anyway ...

Seller agrees to pay shipping as part of sale price based on UPS ground for original size and weight.

... I would try to get the seller to split the shipping upgrade or if not, pay for it myself ... I would not ship anything of that value ground ...

Buyer proposed to pay the additional packing material and shipping costs for this.

... yes, assume the cost, you will have the boxes when and if you decide to sell the units ...

Should the seller agree simply because buyer will pay the extra cost?

... yes, you don't want damaged goods ...

What about the sellers’ time?

... that is part of the sale, no additional funds ...it is of both parties', mutual interest to assure safe delivery and both parties have to work to make that happen ... the damage claim process is just not worth it ...

Buyers and sellers please continue to log your experiences and ideas. This thread may be very useful for many of us now and in the future. Although in the end it’s a personal call for each person, and each transaction is unique, the more experiences and ideas we have to draw from, the greater the chances for successful and rewarding transactions. (Duh, you already knew that, which is why you’re here.) This site is great and you A’goners are the best! Thanks.

Although I've been lucky so far with original boxes, for items of this $, I would insist on double-boxing and Fedex overnight or DHL. If you agree to pay, there should be NO QUESTION. It protects both parties. Otherwise, w/o double-boxing, you can re-inforce corners with additional corrugated between the solid foam padding and the box. Never ever use peanuts for padding; they are filler only when we are talking about equipment of this kind of weight. Removing the tubes does not, IMO seem to be necessary, unless they are rare NOS. If so, they would need to be individually boxed and bubble-wrapped, before placing in a separate box for shipment.

In the course of my business I spend about six grand a month shipping with fedex and I would never send anything of much value using the ground service. Air freight is the only way to go. In a lot of cases you can ship 3rd day and it will arrive 2nd day.
It depends on the quality of the original packing whether additional boxing is required. I just sold an AR LS15 and the original packing featured a double box arrangement and that is how I shipped it and it was fine. All of the Hi End components I've purchased have had adequate factory packing and additional packing is not necessary. I would think that components worth 6000.00 used would have better than average packing.
I don't think it is necessary to remove preamp tubes as they are small and light but larger power output or rectifier tubes should be removed. Both the preamp I purchased and the one I sold were shipped with the tubes installed with nary a problem. At least they are protected inside the metal case of the unit.
You should accept the supplied packing and pay for the upgrade to fedex air freight.

I will agree that the factory boxes should be more than adequate, unless they have been shipped in more than once. I would double box if they are used boxes since they will eventually wear down. Also, I sometimes add peanuts inside an original box in between the styrofoam just so that it has less give for when they throw another box on it in shipment.

You must have at least 2" of appropriate packing material in between the equipment & the box, or a damage claim will be denied. Double box it: if the buyer requests, then that's what he gets, but use cut foam blocks or something more solid than peanuts. Buyer should pay the shipping cost difference, which isn't significant anyway. Extra packing time is on the seller, but is certainly to his advantage. If any damage would occur then the gamble is absolutely not worth it to either party & the risk of a claim denial makes this a no-brainer. Pad & pack the tubes separately of course. FedX 3 day is sufficient IMO, but again the buyer gets what the buyer wants; pay the difference if necessary, & if it's worth it to you.

Thanks again everyone for all your input. Buyer and Seller have agreed on shipping and packing arrangements. Buyer compromised a bit and seller stretched a bit. Both are happy with the deal. Pre-amp will be doubled boxed with tubes in. CD double boxed. Peanuts may be used, but only in addition to extra support in-between boxes. Buyer pays extra packing and difference between UPS ground and 2Day FedEx. Another happy ending.