Fedex and Ups Damage thread

I've shipped, and/or received 100+ audio items over 20+ years, and have not had a single issue of damage (either sending or receiving). I have had a few boxes arrive in pretty bad shape, but luckily no damage to the item.

I tend to over-package anything I ship. The original factory packaging is typically not sufficient, especially if it has already had multiple trips.

Double boxing, added foam and plastic cling-wrap are your friends. Any possibility of an item moving in shipment, even if just a little bit, is a recipe for damage. Use enough structured foam to insure zero movement, even if the box is dropped on it's corner. Wrapping the item tightly in plastic stretch/cling wrap prevents scuffs, even better than the original factory bag/wrap

I buy foam sheets from Home Depot or Lowes, and use a large drywall square as a straight-edge for measuring/cutting the foam. I'll usually buy 2 different thicknesses that can be used individually, or stacked to create 1/2", 1", 1-1/2" and 2" barriers, as needed.

Do yourself a favor. Over package and prevent the hassle of a shipping damage claim.

Maybe they view you like Elaine and giving you payback

A Difficult Patient - YouTube

Sounds like a case of bad karma.

My latest purchase was a new RPM5 TT that arrived from the dealer with a tonearm damaged beyond repair, according to Pro-Ject. Dealer says they are sending new tonearm but can’t give a timeline or get the name of the manufacturer right. In every correspondence with me, they refer to Rega as the manufacturer of the TT and that they are relating messages from Rega about my Rega RPM5 Carbon. 

If you want a pair of speakers or a component to arrive safely and in one piece, I recommend using a freight company. They seem to get it right every time, and when an item is palletized, it just isn't possible to throw it around and abuse it.