Shipping. Hard Lesson.


I'm selling some high end audio gear for the estate of a relative who passed away. I've never done this before. I'm using C's List, eBay and A'gon. It has been a lot of work and not a lot of fun.

Tons of scammers on C's list but excellent experience selling to a local audiophile.

Got a sale pending here at A'gon. Not too bad.

One good experience on eBay.

But then the Bryston 9B SST2 amp sold on eBay. I had actually about decided to purchase it myself when it sold via eBay. Super nice, experienced buyer.

Took the amp to UPS. It weighs 65 pounds. Asked them to double box and was ready to pay the price but the clerk convinced me that there was no need. They would wrap it well and the box she chose was supposed to handle 85 pounds.

Well, it gets to the buyer and he sends me a picture and it looks like the box has rolled down a mountain. The handles are broken off of the amp and it is dinged all up. Have no idea if it works or not. I'm not sure double boxing would have mattered in this case.

We insured it for the price paid. Buyer was very understanding but disappointed of course. I will get paid (by UPS) what I was going to get paid anyway but both the buyer and I commiserated over a fine piece of equipment destroyed. Or at least marred.

Anyway, sorry about the long sad sop story but I will probably have other gear to ship in the near future possible even the gorgeous Aerial Acoustics 5Ts which, even thought they are bookshelf speakers, are large and heavy.

So all of this is basically to ask: Who do you use for shipping large heavy delicate audio gear?
n80
This morning came and went. No call about the check. Can't say I'm surprised. Once again feel like I'm getting the run around.

@northman (the "@" function never works on this site), I don't know what UPS's policy is on what happens to the damaged item. If they pay the claim then they rightfully own it.......but I can't imagine what they'd do with it. I had hoped they would leave it with the buyer so that if it worked he at least got something for his troubles.

When the claim is settled I will ask for it. I have not examined it. From the pictures the side handles on the rear are bent in but it looked like all the binding posts were intact. I think a corner of the face plate was bent in or cracked. I suspect it might still work. If so I could probably use it especially since learning that a 5 channel amp like this can be used to bi-amp. Even if I couldn't use it I might be able to sell it for a few hundred to give to my wife's aunt.
Still no call or check. Wife went back up to local UPS store. They called the higher ups again. They have all the information and will have a check out within 5 days. Mind you, we were told we would have a check by last Friday. My wife who is forever patient, optimistic and desires to think the best of people is starting to get upset.


So not only is UPS incompetent for this type of shipping, they are also irresponsible and incompetent when it comes to correcting their mistakes.


Will never use them again for anything. Not that they care. But as a consumer all I can do is vote with my feet.
I package things myself and for items like you described I would always triple box and buttress the corners heavily