FYI - Who Should Pack Your UPS Shipment.

Well I just went in there to ship a 0.5 back to Papa Steve for an upgrade. Ship estimate was about $35.00 per UPS computer. I asked them to overbox cause the box was a little beat from other trips back to Papa. Add 6 lbs for the extra box and the rate more than doubled to $75.00. I can use Fedex 3 day air for less than that! I've touted their insurance cause they do guarantee their packing meets UPS spec, but no way am I paying that mark-up.

Except that after Sept 11th, the airline will unpack the amp and remove the outer case to make sure all those wires are not a bomb. Then you are really screwed. Oh well!

I agree The old Mail Boxes liked to mark-up the shipping (service charge?). Some are franchised and probably charge what they want. Now that UPS ownes them; try printing out the UPS shipping estimate online, then ask why it is not that. UPS ownership is new, so the policies if they change, may change slowly. It was basically a way for UPS to expand their stores quickly. Have not heard if they will change the name.

Have you checked on the rediculous amount extra that MB charges to ship? I needed to ship a 100 lb amplifier and MB wanted to charge me 3 times as much to ship UPS compared to walking into the UPS store. If this is how much I have to pay for bogus "insurance", it would be cheaper for me to get on an airplane myself and fly it somewhere.

A lot of us sell items that have the factory packing. I wonder what would happen if we asked Mail Boxes to examine the quality of that packing before they ship it? Have them tape up the top cover after they inspect it. Maybe they'll add a little foam for a couple bucks, so it shows they packed it on the receipt. Then if UPS starts to weasel out, just tell them Mail Boxes inspected the packing, and it was proper.

I am not trying to drum up business for Mail Boxes or UPS. I am just trying to maybe save us from a future headache. We'll see? Since UPS has decided to get into the retail packing business; let's use it as additional insurance against their excuses for broken gear.

If you live near a UPS drop off depot, some of them will assist with packing also. It might be less expensive also.