UPS. Friend Or Foe?

You have to buy insurance because they can't do their job properly. Imagine if you had to buy insurance for every type of service.

Shipping large delicate devices is always risky business.  You can’t cut corners and have to go the extra mile to make sure items are essentially  bulletproof.   Is a bumpy and often rushed system and accidents happen all the time.  I avoid it all together as much as possible and look for the closest buyers possible. 

I've been on the loosing end of UPS disputes for a long time.

Unfortunately, factory-supplied shipping cartons do not meet the "standards" for UPS packaging.  The rule of thumb for "correct" UPS packaging is that it needs to be able to survive a 2 foot drop.  Which translates into double boxing pretty much everything.

A recent UPS event involved a hand-made cello I purchased from the artist out of state.  I BEGGED them to "overpack" the piece.  It came in with the neck broken off.  A close look at the packing revealed there were pretty of opporunities for damage to occur.  

Palleting goods is a good idea.  It certainly adds enough bulk so that machines, not people, will be moving them around.  And, another layer of protection.

Thanks for all the responses and excellent advice.

Hopefully will turn out as it should...