Shipping prices and buyers...

Perfectimage. Exactly!

I think when you ship the boxes via ups you should just assume that it will be dropped from 8 feet up onto a concrete floor. After this, another box weighing 100lbs will fall upon it. If you pack with this in mind you will be fine. Packaging from companies like audio research and pass labs are like this.

This is also why I just sell some items as 'local pickup only'. My 80lb subwoofer for example. I cannot figure out how to pack this thing without spending $100 on materials and putting it into a washing machine sized box. So, I just wait for a local buyer - not worth my time to be concerned with it.

I sympathize with the cost of shipping materials. I have put out $70 for packing materials on a heavy item. I now save any throw-away computer packaging from my company.

I don't have a lot of experience with this, but I think PerfectImage and Angella100 might be right. The sender has a much clearer idea of what is necessary packaging. The reciever may be clueless and even if that's not the case has little control over the packaging. In a retail mail order purchase, one would expect appropriate packaging and expect it to be built into the cost, it's only logical. I believe that the sender is the insured party. The packaging and insurance should be built into the price. It's all part of the cost of doing business. It might be reasonable to advertise a lower cost for pick up only.

Thanks to all for chiming in, appreciate your inputs. I have not submitted this matter for formal arbitration with AudioGon as I'm trying to work through the issues with the buyer. I woudln't be surprised if it this matter does end up in arbitration for resolution. The item left me in perfect cosmetic and operational condition, shipped in it's original box and via a method the buyer approved of. It is the buyer's responsiblity to select carrier and any additional packaging to make sure his/her new purchase arrives safely. I always suggest methods such as double boxing to avoid problems but at the end of the day it's not my decision nor is it up to me to absorb additional expense. I would be inclined to pay for double boxing etc. if the buyer meets my asking price. I submitted a claim and once it's settled the buyer will be reimbursed for repairs or refunded his money (depends on the settlement). This ordeal has cost me way too much time and money.