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

Hi,
I'm new to buying and selling audio equipment on the Internet. I want to receive some feedback on what is "generally" best practice and what is "generally" acceptable to request or to have requested in terms of shipping methods and packaging. Items are: non-tube CD player, tube pre-amp, value around $6,000.

I want to use this as a non-biased "guide" to assist me and another party in reaching a mutually satisfying shipping arrangement in an otherwise mutually satisfying transaction. Both parties are honest with good intentions.

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?

Buyer thinks that the original boxes should each be placed in an additional box and surrounded with peanuts. Also thinks that the pre-amp tubes should be removed and packed separate. Is this best or is this overkill?

Seller agrees to pay shipping as part of sale price based on UPS ground for original size and weight. Buyer proposed to pay the additional packing material and shipping costs for this. Should the seller agree simply because buyer will pay the extra cost? What about the sellers’ time?

Your thoughtful and experienced insights may help us in this otherwise mutually satisfying transaction. Thanks for reading.
128x128jim63
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
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.
texan
48 posts
 
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.
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
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.
jim63's avatar
jim63 OP
27 posts
 
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.
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