Shipping a VPI TT, Arm & Cartridge. Help Needed

I thought about it, but it also makes me cringe to possibly have an 18 yr. old employee/trainee with multiple piercings/tattoos, taking apart an expensive TT with a pair of pliers. Probably wouldn't even take it apart anyways. Most people think of turntables as $99 nostalgia pieces with cheap disposable, snap in needles. Would rather stick with other options if possible. I realize they(UPS) will cover damages if they pack, but that is a ALOT of red tape and even more waiting. They might give me a hard time replacing a $2000 Benz or an SME arm.

The only other thing I can think of is to bring it to your friendly VPI dealer and have him send it... I have a Superscoutmaster, and even have saved the boxes that it came in. I personally would want to get it done professionally. I'm moving from NJ to Arizona in a couple of months. Eveything has to go including the Vandersteen 5A's. Trepidation....

You could try contacting VPI to ask advice about packing, possible disassembly, etc.

Jeff, these are the logistic questions that are best asked before the purchase. Now you are more or less at the mercy of the shipping gods. Hopefully your uncle picked up all of the original packaging materials with the turntable.
If not, then you should probably contact VPI and see if they will sell you shipping container(s). Maybe contact Musical Surroundings and see if you can buy a box for the Benz. Getting all of the proper shipping containers will probably be expensive, but should help to alleviate shipping damage. W/O the original packaging, you will have no choice but to let UPS Store pack it. UPS and Fed Ex will ignore claims if the item is not in it's original packaging. If UPS will guarantee it if they pack it, this may be your only option if you do not have original packaging. Maybe a VPI dealer as Stringreen suggest, but I think this would cost even more, and may not be guaranteed (assuming not using original packaging).

Also, don't bother over-insuring. You can only be re-imbursed for what you can PROVE that you paid. This is where the red tape comes in. You mention replacing a $2000 Benz cartridge, can you prove that you paid $2000 just for the cartridge? If not, then there is no way that you'll get anywhere near that much. Have the seller include an itemized receipt, broken down to how much each piece cost.
For example, say you paid $1000. Have the receipt say $500 for the 'table, $250 for the arm, $250 for the cartridge. Keep in mind that you will have to prove the $1000 payment to, via cancelled check, Paypal receipt, or whatever. So you can't falsify the receipt. You can insure for as much as you want, but you can only file a claim for what you can prove that you spent.

Yes, it is very difficult and expensive to ship a turntable, which is why, like large speakers, local sales are the best way to go. Even if you need to drive a couple hundred miles to pick up. Maybe it would be easier for you to drive to CA for pick up....

Good luck!! Hopefully it works out for you.
John

I was hoping that there was a hi-end shop around San Jose that would know how to dismantle it and pack it up safely in several boxes. Once the arm and cartidge were removed, they could be shipped in seprate boxes. Maybe carefully wrapped a large pill bottle, put in a well padded box for the Benz? Of couse the platter, motor in seperate boxes as well as the cover. Not sure on packing the arm though. If it were about 2000 miles closer, I would go pick it up myself :)