Fedex minimum insurance for special handling

At $5k and over UPS consider a package 'High Value'

It must be signed for at each handover, and once such a package is given to the driver he must return directly to the hub with it, it isn't allowed to sit on the truck the rest of the day.

All high value packages get marked with a V on all sides.

I don't know if UPS takes other special care in addition.

John C.

Just curious. Has anyone taken an item to one of those UPS stores and had the UPS people do the packing with the "guarantee" that they offer (according to the TV ads)? And then, after that, still had problems with damage and denial of claims? Are there weight or insured value limits for that "guarantee"?

Yes, the TV spin, is just that spin. I've shipped stuff via the UPS Store, including their packing of the item, and get one big hassel with claims. The general rule is that you must have the units original packing materials and boxes, and then double box the item. Otherwise, all the peanuts and bubble wrap in the world will not make a difference.

Once shipped an Insured High Value $5,000 component by UPS after their assurances of the extra-care the package would receive. Not only did the package arrive damaged, the driver left it on the front-porch of the buyers house, with no signature to verify delivery!!! Maybe the driver left the package hoping he could avoid blame for the damage, i.e. Damaged by the Recipient. Since that experience I have used FedEx exclusively without a problem of any kind. Then again I pack each item to survive the worst possible disaster and that is really the only remedy to the problem. Overpack the item knowing that it can, and will, be dropped a dozen times enroute and must still arrive in mint condition. Thinking about the process eliminates the theory that one cardboard box is sufficient, or that peanuts will protect the equipment, or that the carrier will exercise ordinary care because the box is marked Fragile.

Commcast,

I truly think it depends on the weight of the product shipped.

I can't see how a three, or even 6 foot fall will likely damage a well packed CD player weighing 5-10 pounds tops, but a 135 pound amplifier will certainly exert more damage to the packaging, and thus the unit inside.

I have used all routes of shipping, and have been fairly lucky so far. Every shipper I have used has caused major damage to the packaging on SOME shipments, but no one has trashed a component yet, but it is only a matter of time until that happens. I do my best to ship[p appropriately and take weight highly into consideration when shipping.

If I am shipping something very valuable and heavy, I try to go freight and use a palette.