[barrist]

Has anyone had experience shipping a head? I have my JCM800 up for sale, and initially wanted to do local pick-up only but i may be limiting my market

I'd like to know the safest way to package it for shipping, materials, boxes, etc..

How much did it cost you guys to ship ? Have any of you shipped one to the US?

any help would be appreciated

thanks.

 

[Accept2]

I shipped one to Texas and it arrived safely. I wrapped the tubes in foam, used foam to fill up the cavity. Used foam to cover the dials and sliders, wrapped the entire head, and put the slab insulation on all sides, then boxed it up a couple of times. In the end the head was about 3 - 4 times the size, and weighed a hell of alot, but it got there no problem. Shipping was about 125 bucks cause it was huge and weighed a ton. The head alone weighed 51 pounds, so even without the packaging it was heavey as hell..........

 

[sysexguy]

I know lots about shipping amps, not all happy.

Here's a few tips:

avoid having secondary items like footswitches or casters having the opportunity to dent the main package...better pay for a second seperate box. Do not tape the second box to the first, you will be charged the dimensional weight of the whole cubic volume even if the second box is small and, guaranteed, the amp will get dropped with the small box on the bottom (how would I know this???????) over:food-smiley-004:

the corners are the most at risk so if you wrap the amp in bubble pack (which actually will work), you'll need to ensure the corners are reinforced either with extra cardboard or freezer bags with peanuts. Loose peanuts will be smart enough to "swim" where they're least likely to get bashed, not what you want. The worst damage is the second impact after the integrity of the box has been compromised, reinforce the corners.

Amps are heavy and Fedups handlers are used to heavy but amps are usually heaviest on the PT side and the handlers grab the box not realizing they should have taken more creatine on the left or right and.....down goes the amp....so allow an extra layer of padding on the heavy side. Once again, (how would I know this???????) over:food-smiley-004:

When you pack it, make sure it cannot move. An amp that can move is going to collaborate with the Fedups handlers to destroy your box.....an inside job if you will.

You may want to roll up some bubble pack and place it inside the amp to prevent the power tubes from coming loose and a piece of hard styrofoam can be placed between the top of the OT and PT and the headshell. If you do that, be sure to place a yellow sticky notice on the power switch so that the consignee doesn't power on before taking out your extra padding.

Andy

 

[nine]

Personally, I'd take the tubes out, wrap them individually in bubble wrap or something and then tape them to the inside of the head. Less chance of them getting ruined by vibration, or worse, breaking.

 

[barrist]

I shipped one to Texas and it arrived safely. I wrapped the tubes in foam, used foam to fill up the cavity. Used foam to cover the dials and sliders, wrapped the entire head, and put the slab insulation on all sides, then boxed it up a couple of times. In the end the head was about 3 - 4 times the size, and weighed a hell of alot, but it got there no problem. Shipping was about 125 bucks cause it was huge and weighed a ton. The head alone weighed 51 pounds, so even without the packaging it was heavey as hell..........

Thanks for the replies..

by foam do you mean that thinner foam paper that you find in packaging?

 

[barrist]

heck if someone in ottawa has experience packaging and shipping these things, i'll pay them for their time and materials!

 

[Accept2]

I used the foam paper for the tubes, soft foam slabs for the controls, and hard foam for the padding on all sides. That was the foam you find in some home insulation......................

 

[Accept2]

Actually you could take it to The UPS Store and have them pack it. Its expensive, but if the buyer pays for it.............

 

[barrist]

Yeah I was thinking about.. what price range would that be in you think? Like $50 for the packaging alone ?

 

[Accept2]

You'd have to ask them. You may also want to ask if they reduce the insurance costs if they pack the items as well...........

 

[barrist]

You'd have to ask them. You may also want to ask if they reduce the insurance costs if they pack the items as well...........

Yeah i just called them, they should be calling back with a rough estimate. the guy said he had shipped a head before with no problems so i should be good to go. I think im gonna get alot more off ebay than selling locally anyway.

 

[torndownunit]

Yeah I was thinking about.. what price range would that be in you think? Like $50 for the packaging alone ?

WAY more. The shipping alone is about that much. You'd be looking at $80-90. If you choose this method make sure you list it in your auction. People will not be happy if they get nailed with a $80 shipping bill after the fact even if it is the safest way for both of you.

But as a seller, it's really the only completely safe way to ship. I had an amp arrived damaged that was packed at a UPS store. The UPS store did a crappy packing job, but since THEY did the crappy job the insurance claim went through in a couple of weeks. They even refunded the shipping.

Both UPS and USPS/Canada Post will be quick to blame improper packing as the reason for damage and deny your claim. So you have to be confident enough in your packing skill to be pretty sure there will be no way it will be damaged.

It's a catch 22 because from my experience the items are more likely to get damaged with UPS hah. Them and Fedex have damaged a lot of items on me ad UPSPS/Canada Post never have. But using them and their store is the only way to insure you have really reliable insurance coverage.

That all being said, I have shipped a head Canada Post with no problems. I cut some thick tubes up as edge/corner protectors because as mentioned that is the key thing you have to worry about. I wrapped the tubes in bubble wrap, wrapped the head in bubble wrap and then double boxed it.

I know people are recommending foam, but don't use any type that could break loose and get into the amp. have had that happen to be and it was a pain. Bubble wrap is a safer bet.

From my personal experience, I'd rather take $50 less for an item locally then have to deal with the crap involved with eBay. Paypal fees, eBay fees, shipping stresses, deadbeat bidders. It's just never been worth it for me.

 

[barrist]

WAY more. The shipping alone is about that much. You'd be looking at $80-90. If you choose this method make sure you list it in your auction. People will not be happy if they get nailed with a $80 shipping bill after the fact even if it is the safest way for both of you.

But as a seller, it's really the only completely safe way to ship. I had an amp arrived damaged that was packed at a UPS store. The UPS store did a crappy packing job, but since THEY did the crappy job the insurance claim went through in a couple of weeks. They even refunded the shipping.

Both UPS and USPS/Canada Post will be quick to blame improper packing as the reason for damage and deny your claim. So you have to be confident enough in your packing skill to be pretty sure there will be no way it will be damaged.

It's a catch 22 because from my experience the items are more likely to get damaged with UPS hah. Them and Fedex have damaged a lot of items on me ad UPSPS/Canada Post never have. But using them and their store is the only way to insure you have really reliable insurance coverage.

That all being said, I have shipped a head Canada Post with no problems. I cut some thick tubes up as edge/corner protectors because as mentioned that is the key thing you have to worry about. I wrapped the tubes in bubble wrap, wrapped the head in bubble wrap and then double boxed it.

I know people are recommending foam, but don't use any type that could break loose and get into the amp. have had that happen to be and it was a pain. Bubble wrap is a safer bet.

From my personal experience, I'd rather take $50 less for an item locally then have to deal with the crap involved with eBay. Paypal fees, eBay fees, shipping stresses, deadbeat bidders. It's just never been worth it for me.

yeah the thing is im getting some crappy offers locally, like $500-750.. which is definitely way too low in my opinion. I'm gonna go with UPS and state in my auction that the shipping cost will have to factor in the packaging from the UPS store to ensure that it arrives safely.

 

[Robboman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbNBdOsrL1U

 

[Hamm Guitars]

Crate it.

I use 2x2's (which are 1.5x1.5" odly enough) and hardboard. It is cheap, and better than cardboard and I can whip it up in about half an hpur or so. I use screws to hold it all together, and foam to protect whatever is inside.

When you are shipping, there is no problem if you have them pick it up, bit if you are going to the depot they will want you to open the crate so they can see what's inside, so bring your screw gun and seal it there.

I just did a combo and it cost me $15.00 for crating materials and $80.00 to ship from Southern Ontario to NYC - not bad considering that the package weighed in at 80lbs.

 

[torndownunit]

Before ebaying it, you should try listing it in some forums classifieds sections. You might be able to keep the shipping within Canada and avoid extra fees that way. I have sold on out classifieds here, Gearpage, FDP, and TDPRI.

Dealing with Canadians you can do an interac money transfer as well and avoid PayPal fees.