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
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