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SHIPPING speakers?

Y’all, HOW do you ship speakers that you have sold?

I just a like-new pair of Vandersteen Treo CTs to replace my super clean Vandy 2CEs. The DILEMMA is shipping them! I have listed them online, and got a query from WI who asked me to check on shipping them from here in WA. I called Vandersteen and they say they ship all their speakers strapped to pallets, with the boxes in vertical orientation. They use freight companies including FedEx Freight, but told me nightmare stories of speakers getting damaged in transit, including a new pair of Sevens ($70K) that a forklift driver punched a hole through with the fork on his machine. WTH? They said that their price increases in the last 2 years are in large part because of big increases in shipping costs.

I called FedEx, and was told that the closest freight office is 2 hours from me, and the speakers have to be dropped off already on a pallet, ready to go. That’s 200 lbs of speakers! I have no way to do this—no van or pickup truck, nor a forklift. Plus, I can imagine that if something goes wrong and the speakers are damaged, they will weasel out of it saying that I packed them on the pallet and surely didn’t do it correctly.

I got a freight quote online from another LTL freight company and it was $800! For a $2200 pair of speakers. So, I am trying to sell them locally, within a 4-5 hour drive (I will deliver or meet halfway).

I don’t ship gear often, especially speakers, and it’s a real hassle for larger speakers. Someone I know who builds great amps etc (you’d know his name) bought a used pair of big Borresens (250 lbs each iirc) and rented a van and drove from the Midwest to TX to get them, because shipping was going to be a small fortune.

Thanks.

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carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,821 posts
 

@tomcarr I used to get my mail at a UPS store.  So I was there most every day and watched them pack a lot of pacages. None for me as I do my own. 

What I saw was mostly overkill. they used larger boxes and more bubble wrap/packing materials that I would have.  that pack it while you wait with you watching.  They charge for all the material so the more they use, the more money they make. They only lose money if it breaks so they are very conservative in their packing choices.  They aren't cheap.

Add to the cost of packaging the fact that they charge full retail for shipping, not the discounted rate you get when you package it yourself.  If I packed these speakers up I would expect to be able to ship them myself for about $200.  Take it tot he UPS store and you'll probably pay 4-500.  

That is my observations from real world experience.

jerry

bjesien
1,338 posts
 

If UPS packs them expect them to be damaged. Make sure explain the value and how both speakers need to arrive undamaged. I've in the past shipped expensive speakers and it's risky.

Drop the price, sell locally. Offer to drive them to the nearest city Drop the price sell locally, chalk it up to a loss and move on. If not you might end up paying in your time and stress level.

viridian's avatar
viridian
5,129 posts
 

Wow, what a hassle. You have a very vibrant audio culture in Washington. I would just sell them on Craigslist, or one of the selling sites as "local pickup only" and be done with it.

Nothing gets damaged in shipment more than floor standing speakers. Not worth the hassle for me.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,842 posts
 

shipping costs when palleted are in that range there are independent freight shipping services that do competitive quotes

bjesien
1,338 posts
 

Above craigslist, facebook marketplace could be good. TMR audio might buy them but won’t pay much. Heavy speakers really are a pain but normally worth it until you sell.

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