Who's the best shipper to use when shipping a Glass Kit from a S2000 ??

[Amechanic]

I was wondering who's the best shipper to use when shipping out a Round Top Kit from a S2000?? I've never used FedEx, mostly just UPS.. I'm not just looking for cost, but who can get the kit there intact... Do any special labels as Fragile Glass help? Any one have an estimate on what it's going to cost to ship?

Thanks Gary

[CVslots]

We have used USPS with, what I have to report as, 98-99% "intactness" (I know, new word there). FedEx also has delivered, without fail in fact, since maybe May-June 2013. I don't think the carrier matters so much as the packaging?? I've beefed up our packaging close to 3 yrs ago, from the standard bubble wrap and cardboard, to a sturdier insulation type material against the outer layer of cardboard, and so far, so good. (Man, hope I didnt jinx myself there!) seems to wrk pretty well to guard against outside impacts. Of course, we've had the occasional crazy break, even from CA to TX, but I honestly, that is very, VERY rare!!

[Amechanic]

I was planning on over packaging, bubble wrap, plus card board, and I even have some sheets of 1" thick styrofoam. You really suprised me with saying USPS.. I'm guessing shipping going to cost $25 and up. Insurance, tracking, and delivery conformation are a must.

[cowboygames]

I've shipped through them all and received through them all, good and bad packaging didn't matter, always arrived intact and safe. I hope I didn't jinx Roz by saying that thougb If I did, sorry in advance Roz

[jay]

I have found that double boxing and flexible packaging to be best.
If you were to pack glass really rigid it doesn't take much pressure to snap the glass.
Foam insulation works well because it can be cut to any size you want and it takes impact well. Buy the 4x8 sheets from home depot. If you can oversize by an inch on all sides of the glass and sandwich the glass between foam. For multiple pieces of glass just add another layer of foam for each. If you put that in a box lightly filled with foam packing peanuts. Then add peanuts down the sides and top. Then wrap your box in bubble wrap and put it inside of another box. Unless the shipping company goes out of its way to break your box in the middle even very rough handling isn't going to hurt your glass.

[Amechanic]

The last piece of glass that I bought came in broken, but that shipper didn't have a long enough box. That's one thing I will be watching carefully when boxing this kit up.

[Yoeddy1]

Wow, people still sell S2000 kits?  I thought they were all extinct! 

Jason

[Amechanic]

Wow, people still sell S2000 kits?  I thought they were all extinct! 

Jason

 Well I hope I can sell these. They are two kits you don't see very often. Ones a Titanic and the seconds a Phantom of the Opera 3cn kit. Both kits come with the SB chip and sound SIMM and strips. I plan on taking pictures tomorrow. I know the Phantom 3cn is an S+ kit (figured that out after i bought it) and I do have the extra chip to run it in the S2K.

Gary

[Yoeddy1]

You'll sell them.  Those themes don't grow on trees these days.  Good luck with the sale!

Jason

[IFFV68]

I have found that Fed-X works great for me. They also deliver on Saturdays.
Everyone is correct.
It is in the packaging.
I just received a Kit from Jim in Ohio. He use the Black Bubble wrap. When I got the kit out of the box it looked like a Giant Black Marsh Mellow .
WOW, going from his elevation to my elevation looked like he inflated it with a Bicycle Pump before it was shipped.. It could  of dropped off the truck with no harm.

Packaging is the key.

[staz]

i would use these type of boxes, they are ideal for shipping glass kits........you probably can find them at fedex or online.....

[Amechanic]

Nice box.. That's my next quest before I list these two kits is to locate my shipping boxes. I live in this small town, I don't have many places to pick something up without driving 25 miles. I'll check on line for my closest UPS store. Does anyone know if an office supply place would have boxes, like Staples or maybe a place like Home Depot or Lowes?

[foster]

The boxes IGT uses are about 8" deep and they use foam sheets to protect the glass and the oversize the width and height by quite a few inches
they do have the foam cut to hold the glass in place.
You can do the packing peanuts around a bubble wrapped glass and it will do just fine.
I hate packing peanuts, they get every where

[CVslots]

Print your labels through PayPal and you'll save quite a bit off the price of going to the USPS counter. Expect to pay $25 or less (don't know your location, but I can ship a kit coast to coast for max of $25) for USPS, and maybe $20-22 for FedEx (online as well, counter prices are higher). UPs seems to be the highest priced of them all, but I don't use them, I just know what I'm being charged for shipping via UPS.

As far as boxes go, try Staples online. I usually receive my orders the next day, and shipping is free most of the time, but I order other items, so your mileage may vary. I use a 24"x18"x4" box. The IGT boxes are sold online for shipping art, but bring your wallet, as I've seen them $50+. I will use IGT, Bally, or WMS boxes depending on how precious the kit is. IGT makes the super think 8" box, but more common is the 5" thick box from them. WMS makes some seriously large boxes.

I use a weird moisture-barrier insulation that has foil on one side and plastic covering on other, with a fairly dense foam in the center. 4x8 sheet is under $10 at HomeDepot (it's in the aisle with insulation and fencing materials). Comes in thicknesses from 3/8" to 1.5". I love it!!! Wrap the glass in bubble, sandwich between the foam, and you got it.

Oh, and one more thing! When I pack glass, I do not want it to move around AT ALL!!! Stuff along the sides of the bubble wrapped glass so that it doesn't move around inside the box.

[Amechanic]

One quick question about printing my own labels thru PayPal? I know you need to know the box dimensions, but you also need to know the weight. Do you have a postal scale?

Gary

[CVslots]

I use a digital scale that goes to 50 lbs. Last resort, use a bathroom scale (with you holding the package and without). Your in-officially allowed a 10% variance in weight. Unless your way off, it's not going to be an issue. Just round up if your unsure.

[777sizzler]

I only use UPS and on small sheet usps.  Ups and Fed-Ex -the boxes MUST be rounded off to the higher number and weight as well or you WILL get BUSTED.  example- if box is just say 2x2x2 and it measures over that it at that point it is a 3x3x3-no matter what the box says. Weight- 1.90 Lbs. is-2Lbs. they round to higher number.  I have shipped for 15 years and used them all. I have a excellent record with shipping.  Costs---Well that's a good one, Depends on where you are at- If you are in Bum-fuct egypt in the us-watch out.  Shipping to calif. sucks as well as costs good dough.  Guess they need more water there to make up or something.

[CVslots]

Wow Barry...that was informative, thanks for the info....FYI-Do not go by what the box says, as oftens times, we overfill it, with Packing material, TC.

Just pack your box, take it to the counters and pay what is costs!!! There is no secret shipping discount! We all pay the same rates!