This is what "fragile" means to the post office

[jaybfresh]

So I mailed out a skimmer and this is how it arrived to the buyer. Note that part of it actually was popping out of the relatively thick box. There goes my $80 as it was not insured.

I mail stuff out multiple times a week and never had a problem, so I'm pretty sure I packed it well.... not to mention the several "FRAGILE" labels on every side. Bottom line: Get insurance when you mail out anything breakable

 

[redrider911]

Fragile means "throw harder" to kids in the shipping industry. Perhaps one got their hands on it.

 

[hotshot619]

I watched a Post office worker yesterday walk up to a house about 5-10 ft away from the 3 step porch and just decided he didn't feel like walking the rest of the way, chucked it at the door, it hit, fell to the ground outside the door and walked away...

Moral of the story, Insurance and packing peanuts Worth it every time.

 

[dlterry85]

the usps employs the same gorillas they used in the old samsonite commercials.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I bought zoas from someone on RC a few years back. I had them overnighted, and requested signature on delivery, so they would be delivered to the house, and not to the mailbox. They were sitting at the mailbox in January (~20 degrees) for a few hours. I opened them up and took a quick temperature reading. It was 56 degrees in the bag! They were quickly acclimated to 70ish degree water. Surprisingly, all 5 or 6 frags made it.

So yeah, I try to use UPS/FedEx when possible. Also, it doesn't hurt to mark "Live Animals" or something on the sides. People generally won't kick around a box if there's a chance bees may coming flying out, or a snake will attack them.

 

[block head]

i had jbj try and pull a fast one on me. they taped a very broken skimmer inside my nano tank. customer service tried to explain that fed ex broke it during shipping.

 

[Capt_Cully]

They must not know Italian....

 

[jaybfresh]

...But my leg lamp arrived in perfect shape

 

[Capt_Cully]

Major awards get their attention.

 

[teamdulski]

1 month late for the "A Christmas Story" references Cully, its 50 degrees outside now.

 

[IronMan72]

I always offer to add insurance, at the buyers expense, before I ship anything fragile. I make it perfectly clear that if they decline, and the shipper plays football (European or American) with it then it's their mess. Expensive lesson; I've been up the same creek and forgot my paddle too.

 

[redreef85]

Did your buyer happen to have a gate? delivery guys don't always do gates!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKUDTPbDhnA

 

[emm0909]

Hmmm FRAGILE... must be French.

 

[emm0909]

Alright, I didn't read the thread before I made my Christmas Story reference. I thought I was witty, now I just feel stupid.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Alright, I didn't read the thread before I made my Christmas Story reference. I thought I was witty, now I just feel stupid.

You tried. There's honor in that.