Shipping by UPS

Pick them up at the distribution center. That’s exactly what i do when receiving anything of significant value from UPS and the boxes do seem to fare better that way. It potentially eliminates a full day of your gear sliding and bouncing around in their truck.

Last time UPS delivered something to my door, the driver looked straight up at my security camera, then tossed the package to the ground as though it was a horseshoe.

85lbs can be awkward but at least they have carts that you can use to wheel them from the counter to your vehicle. 

As a former UPS employee (local sorter then driver) I can say that most damage occurs locally and not during a long distance haul.
It’s rarely the driver’s fault. It’s the guys inside the plant who load and unload the package cars for local deliveries. Their crew is timed by a supervisor to meet a quota.
This possible damage can be avoided if you pick up your package at the UPS in your area, and I don’t mean a UPS store.

That makes sense lowrider57.  I have gotten to a point where I am not interested in shipping expensive electronics.  I believe Amazon has made the home delivery more risky for damage than ever.  It seems to be bleeding into the entire delivery industry.   I don’t believe UPS sub contracts with Amazon but I believe FedX and USPS do.  I helped a driver in a rented U-Haul find a box of dog food shipped from Amazon and could not believe the back of his truck - looked like it had been rolled.

I used to prefer FedX but I have watched my drivers on several occasions deliver a package for me to my neighbor - house number clearly displayed - too busy - don’t care.  

I will ship cables but anymore, I will trade with retailers or go for local pickup/delivery for components.

IMHO makes no difference with UPS, FedEx, DHL or UPS Ground. The damages are usually during the transit, when the machines have no idea if you are shipping an Ayon in triple boxes, or a box of egg wrapped in old newspaper. Have 4 inches of sold cushion (not foam peanuts, not cheap breakable foam block) and you’d be fine.

It makes a difference with FedEx Ground as I found their local drivers absolutely don’t care and would happily drop your package from the truck to the ground when nobody is watching. Note that I see FedEx Ground out-source quite a bit of work to old-timers (who can’t even bent their back), or off-shore nationals (always in a rush). They either cannot handle weight or just don’t care.

Talon shipped my Khorus speakers crated. First pair looked to have been dropped a good 3 feet, crushed the crate skids and cracked the cabinets wide open. Second pair I was out on the street and watched as the driver opened the door to reveal both speakers clearly marked THIS SIDE UP laying on their sides. Third set I took my pickup to the airport to meet the speakers and eliminate about half the risk of damage. Had to load two monster 150+lb crates on and off my truck but these at least had no damage.

If yours already left then you intercept them asap. If they haven't shipped you tell them to slap FRAGILE GLASS all over AND use SEVERAL conspicuously placed shock detectors. When they see the shock detectors they know they have to be careful enough to at least not break those!