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Sold my Mac Pro - Need shipping advice

bozz2006

bozz2006

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Aug 24, 2007
2,530
0
Minnesota
This pretty much says it. I'm the type who tends to "Plan for the worst and hope for the best". I want to make sure the computer gets to the new owner safe and sound; and if it gets to him smashed to smithereens, I want to have my bases covered for that too!

Any suggestions on which company to ship with? I'm planning on insuring the package if I can. I've heard that UPS isn't the way to go. What do you all think? Fedex? USPS????
 
USPS is the least safest route, simply because they don't have real tracking services, and trying to file a claim with a government servive, good luck :)

Anything that I need guaranteed and with high expectations that it will arrive intact, I always ship Fedex. Always.
 
If you don't have the original packing then pay as much as it costs to have it packed professionally. Don't skimp and pay for insurance on the actual cost to replace or refund for the item.
 
I do have the original box and foam inserts. Only thing with the box is it has no original UPC since I had to cut it off and send it in for a rebate. So the box is missing piece of cardboard approximately 4"x4". I guess what Jessica is suggesting is what I'm trying to get at. Anybody know for sure which companies have the option of this type of insurance? I feel like UPS only insures for items lost in transit, or something like that. Not sure on Fedex or USPS. I don't trust USPS for the same reasons I don't trust any other government agencies, lol. So I'm leaning toward Fedex.
 
do your self a favor go to home depot buy 4 items

one) strong black plastic bags

two) blue wall insulation goes under vinyl siding

three) packing tape

four) a few cardboard boxes

I will post a few photos in five min

step one put the oem macpro box inside the black contractor bag.

step two wrap a few complete time with the tape at the top and bottom

step three grab a home depot moving box put it under the box in the bag fold it into a u shape wrap the tape around it once

step 4 do the same with the top of the box

step 5 cut 2 pieces of the blue foam to match the wide sides of the box wrap tape around the blue /pro/ blue many times.


this is pretty much resistant to a lot of abuse. takes 20 mins and costs about 30 bucks. when the hex 3.33 in that white refurb box sells on ebay I will wrap it that way and ship with fedex. especially since the hex is worth more then a lot of mac pros.
 

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I've had many bad experiences with UPS, the last time I was returning a $2000+ item and it got badly damaged by UPS. I had insurance on it but the people I spoke to were all incredibly rude and difficult with me. Swore to never use them again after that.

I'd just use Fedex if I were you, I'm sure Fedex has problems sometimes as well but every item I've shipped with them has arrived safely.
 
Hastings101 said:
I've had many bad experiences with UPS, the last time I was returning a $2000+ item and it got badly damaged by UPS. I had insurance on it but the people I spoke to were all incredibly rude and difficult with me. Swore to never use them again after that.

I'd just use Fedex if I were you, I'm sure Fedex has problems sometimes as well but every item I've shipped with them has arrived safely.
Click to expand...

It is next to impossible to collect a ups claim

145 days to collect 140 bucks. over 30 calls. I practice the scare them with kindness method.
 
bozz2006 said:
I do have the original box and foam inserts. Only thing with the box is it has no original UPC since I had to cut it off and send it in for a rebate. So the box is missing piece of cardboard approximately 4"x4". I guess what Jessica is suggesting is what I'm trying to get at. Anybody know for sure which companies have the option of this type of insurance? I feel like UPS only insures for items lost in transit, or something like that. Not sure on Fedex or USPS. I don't trust USPS for the same reasons I don't trust any other government agencies, lol. So I'm leaning toward Fedex.
Click to expand...

I'd patch that hole with a little 4x4" piece of cardboard and tape it inside and out. If it is a retail MP box or the contents are in any way labeled, I'd wrap the whole thing in plain brown packing paper in order to discourage loss (theft) while in transit. If you have packing peanuts to spare, I'd fill the empty spaces with them.
 
I ship quite a bit with both UPS and FedEx. When it comes to insurance and big-ticket items, UPS is better because the insurance will come through them. FedEx does not offer insurance (declaring the value on the form does not make it insured) and you will have to go through a third party for insurance. Good luck getting a claim from a third-party insurer.

I have had experiences with damaged items shipped via UPS (basically, it has to be packed well enough to fall from a BIG drop -- like from the top of the UPS truck to the floor of the truck). It is a big pain (I'm not sure dealing with an insurance company in any area is every easy!), but if you properly document it, send them good pictures (you may have to provide a written estimate from a repair center if the item can be repaired) of the damage and have patience/go through their processes, they will come through and pay it. If you get a bad representative when doing a claim, call back and ask for a supervisor -- they've always been very professional when I've dealt with them.

If you're really nervous about it, take the item to a UPS store and pay for them to pack and ship it.

BTW, USPS is a joke and I've seen them trash items and refuse to assist with damage claims. I would NEVER use them for a high-value shipment.
 
prodeveloping said:
I ship quite a bit with both UPS and FedEx. When it comes to insurance and big-ticket items, UPS is better because the insurance will come through them. FedEx does not offer insurance (declaring the value on the form does not make it insured) and you will have to go through a third party for insurance. Good luck getting a claim from a third-party insurer.
Click to expand...

FYI - I learned that insurance provided by packages shipped through The UPS Store franchises are not insured by UPS. If you make a claim to UPS insurance, they will reject it and state you have to deal with the store.

So, if you choose UPS:
If you work from home, arrange for a pickup directly from UPS.
If you work at a business, put your package in with their outgoing UPS.
Or take it yourself directly to a real UPS center.
 
ActionableMango said:
FYI - I learned that insurance provided by packages shipped through The UPS Store franchises are not insured by UPS. If you make a claim to UPS insurance, they will reject it and state you have to deal with the store.
Click to expand...

Ah, very interesting! Thanks, did not know that. I've used a UPS store a lot (and at least that one does package items VERY well because they don't want to be held liable for damage) but didn't know the UPS insurance didn't cover them.
 
ActionableMango said:
FYI - I learned that insurance provided by packages shipped through The UPS Store franchises are not insured by UPS. If you make a claim to UPS insurance, they will reject it and state you have to deal with the store.

So, if you choose UPS:
If you work from home, arrange for a pickup directly from UPS.
If you work at a business, put your package in with their outgoing UPS.
Or take it yourself directly to a real UPS center.
Click to expand...

Ah, that's what I was trying to figure out. No insurance through a UPS store. I think that I should schedule a pickup then. If I schedule a home pickup and the package gets damaged, it will be insured for such an occurance, correct? I just want to get my ducks in a row here.
 
Well, she's gone. UPS guy just came by the house and picked her up. I packed her up good and tight in the original box with some reinforcements. Farewell, old friend. I'm a little bit sad and sentimental. Sooooo pathetic, lol.
 
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