WARNING - USE UPS FOR SHIPPING RATHER THAN FEDEX


Just a bit of advice for those shipping heavy items to buyers.

FedEx has indicated that it is their policy NOT TO REIMBURSE shippers / buyers for the damage to the container of a shipment - you must replace the container at your own cost.  

UPS has confirmed that it is their policy TO REIMBURSE shippers / buyers for the damage to the container of a shipment - provided you provide sufficient proof of loss.  

This happened to me this week.  FedEx destroyed an expensive box containing an amplifier I purchased on Audiogon.  The shipper filed the claim for replacement of the box, which cost $150 from the manufacturer, and FedEx denied the claim - because they do not insure the container - ONLY THE CONTENTS.  The shipper had foolproof proof of loss.  Yet FedEx would not reimburse him.  The shipper did have a new box sent to me - but, he had to absorb the entire cost of the damage caused by FedEx.  

The only recourse the buyer has is to simply "reject" the shipment and FedEx will return it to the seller at the seller's cost.  In this instance, I conferred with the shipper, and he decided to have me accept the shipment and he would replace the box.  But... it was a costly lesson.  

This is the socond time this has happened to me - FedEx has damaged a container, during shipment.  So - it is a frequent enough occurence that it will be my policy in the future to ship only via UPS.  
bassdude
But... in the meantime... give us the link to where / how to get "nylon strapping / tensioning system."
Well, prices have gone up since I equipped Galiber’s infrastructure with these tools, but if a few buddies buy and sell a few times/year, you might want to do a group buy.

I picked my tools up at a local shipping supply, so other than the general good quality of Uline’s products (in the links below), I can’t vouch for these from direct experience. They appear to be the same general construction however.

They don’t make it easy for you to figure out, and you might be well served to check out a local shipping supply company to walk you through this.

BTW, I learned about the manual handling requirement from a fellow who was involved in the design of FedEx’s Memphis depot. I’d be very surprised if UPS’s facilities don’t follow the same procedures from this perspective.

You need two tools.

The first one is used to tension the strap, hold it in place and cut the loose end after crimping the two ends together:

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-540/Poly-Strapping-Tools/Uline-Industrial-Poly-Strapping-Tensioner
and
http://www.uline.com/BL_3502/Polyester-Strapping-Tensioners?keywords=nylon%20strapping

The second is the crimping tool (poly strapping sealer) that you used to "join" the nylon strap with steel cleats:
http://www.uline.com/BL_3456/Poly-Strapping-Sealers?keywords=nylon%20strapping

The consumables consist of a spool of nylon/polyester tape along with the metal cleats to join/crimp the ends together:

Their strapping page is a bit confusing
http://www.uline.com/BL_2801/Uline-Polyester-Strapping?keywords=nylon%20strapping

The S-1243 (1/2" wide x .028" thick seems to be the stuff) I just measured my strapping material (nylon? polyester?) and it’s plenty strong at .017" thick. I’m a bit surprised at the high pricing for the material, as Uline’s tools are quite reasonable in comparison.

These are the cleats (the open variety - match the width of your tape - i.e. 1/2"):
http://www.uline.com/BL_2852/Metal-Poly-Seals

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design
There really is little recourse with UPS or FedEx for damaged high end electronics. Neither will pay full damages for anything less than a forklift blade through the faceplate of your reference amp. The only way to ship expensive gear is to encase it in foam inside a cardboard box placed inside a wood box.
Crush proof and shock proof. Don't use bubble wrap or styro for anything heavy...it will be dropped often, and stryo and bubble wrap only give you ONE drop before losing their cushion.
Take pics of what you ship(and how it was packed)and keep evidence of what you paid to acquire it in case they lose it(very rare). They will only pay what it cost you...not what you insured it for.