how do you ship?

UPS, no other. Fedex ground is danageous. Not only do they rough handle the packages, an insurance claim will never be paid if the item is damaged, especially if the item was not shipped in the original manufactuerers packing materials and boxes. UPS has insured values, not value declarations. UPS claims process is easy on your time. They pick up the item the next day and either pay the claim to the shipper, or ship the item back to the shipper at no cost to you. If you paid by PayPal they refund your money with UPS proof that the shipper got the item back. The one and only Fedex Ground claim I had took six month to get paid and it was for a $65 item.

again to clarify, i made it very clear i was sending 2nd day air from chicago to new york.

I must say that about five years ago I wrote off UPS. All they talk about is the "shock in their system" as an excuse for the damage they inflict. I have preferred to use FedEx Ground over even FedEx for the simple reason that my packages, even heavy amps, arrive undamaged. I get stuff shipped by FedEx Ground that looks like it has not ever been shipped.

I have had two badly damaged shipments through FedEx Ground. One was Room Lens that they literally destroyed, not that the shipping cartons are very good. They paid full value and returned the damage pieces to me not that I wanted them. The second was a Loricraft 501 turntable. It was shipped as Europeans can get away with packaging. They would only pay for repairs and Loricraft was very good in doing so.

Don't get me talking about having things packed in either UPS or FedEx stores. These minimum wage people are told find a big enough box, insert the item, and fill with peanuts–absolutely worthless!

Tvad, do you really suppose that FedEx would honor the misstatements of its employees and pay a claim?