OT? Shipping issues?

[Alex Hewitt]

Ben Scott wrote:
> On Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 11:55 AM, Alex Hewitt <hewitt_tech at comcast.net> wrote:
>   
>> I'll probably just send the whole thing USPS.  I don't know how the USPS
>> insures but I do know that it's a separate item so maybe it will mean
>> something.
>>     
>
>   I rather doubt it will make a significant difference.  I've had
> stuff destroyed by USPS, too, and that's really what you care about.
>
>   Remember, your package is one of literally millions per day, being
> tossed around by people who often aren't paid well or treated well by
> management or their customers, and machinery which prolly isn't
> maintained well, if it was designed well in the first place.  This is
> not a system conductive towards success.  Engineer appropriately.
>
>   Your best bet is simply to pack things *very* well.  At a minimum,
> double box -- use two shipping cartons, in addition to whatever
> packaging the item itself comes in.  Use thick cardboard for both
> shipping cartons.  Make sure all spaces are filled with packing
> material, not just an air gap.  Tape all seams of both cartons well.
> Cover it in large, dayglo "Fragile" stickers.  If you're really
> worried, use a wooden crate for the outer container.
>
>   I know Pak Mail (before they got bought by whoever) used to offer
> independent insurance if they packed it.  Something like that would be
> your best bet if you want reliable insurance coverage.
>
>   As always, *carefully read the fine print of the insurance agreement*.
>
> -- Ben
>
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>   

I concluded that breaking the system into small pieces and then double 
packing would be the way to go. The computer case will be directly 
shipped to Florida but the rest of the system will be assembled, disk 
built and then taken apart again. I'll put the motherboard/cpu/heat 
sink/memory into one shipment and the drive in a separate shipment. It 
appears that the chances of things arriving in usable condition is 
inversely proportional to the size and weight of the packages.

-Alex