I think UPS will want to see it. I would recomend shipping FED EX from now on. They more expensive, but they are much easier on the package also. I watched a television program (I forget what it was ) but they where highlighting the automated systems that UPS uses to sort and ship. These conveyors looked like they dropped boxes at least 3 feet from converyor to conveyor. It would send chills up your spine to watch your gear do this drop. I believe it is UPS policy that the package must be able to surive a drop from this distance so they will want to see how it was packaged also. Bottom line is, if it is not that delicate or you know it can take a fall the way it is packaged, UPS can be cheaper. But if is tube gear or something of that ilk you might want to look for alternatives or speak with UPS before you ship on how it needs to be packaged.
A bad situation
I'm looking for opinions as to how to resolve a situation that arose recently. I sold a preamp to a gentleman here on Audiogon for $150. From what I can tell he wanted to use the preamp as an inexpensive phono section. He sent me a money order and I in turn sent off the preamp via UPS insured, packaged up with plenty of bubble wrap so (in theory) it wouldn't get damaged. The preamp arrives, but, the selector switch is broken and evidently the switch is an oddball component that cannot be sourced. I know the preamp was working fine before I shipped it, I sure wouldn't sell a piece of broken equipment, not even for a $150. What's the equitable thing to do in this situation? Make a claim with UPS? Pay a tech to hardwire the premap, bypassing the selector switch? Refund his money and throw the thing away? I know, it's only $150 but at the same time there really ought to be a code of ethics we all try to follow. I understand the buyers disappointment and he may even feel like he's been screwed, I want to make this right. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks, Jeff