That is an incredible high bar, especially since many people keep original packaging, buy insurance, etc. It would result in many being unable to sell their equipment. Glad it works for this person, but he's a distant outlier to what is or can be done.
Agreed - good packing does an incredible job protecting gear. Most factory packing these days is excellent. There's no reason to shun or fear UPS / FedEx shipment of most audio components. I know there are horror stories for any carrier, but I've yet to observe a "fault" on their part, in hundreds of transactions. It always comes down to your packing quality. Things get a bit more dicey on amps & speakers over 100 lbs each - at which point you may want to go freight / pallet, or go for a local sale and either plummet the ask or wait an eternity.
Open cell polyurethane foam is the best packing material up to a certain weight / stress limit, then you need to shift to closed cell polyethylene foam. These are the BEST general materials for shipping. Use plastic wrap to keep everything tight and protect surfaces. Peanuts and/or bubble wrap are good only for the very lightest loads. I HATE polystyrene because it fractures too easily - I use it only when I need to get rid of the stuff, and only if its fracturing won't risk anything.
As a seller & buyer in equal measure, I feel it's 100% the seller's responsibility to guarantee a safe arrival and non-DOA.
