I’m beginning to get requests from customers out of the area and am perplexed about how to pack and ship. Can you enlighten me about packing furniture and shipping? UPS Store says they can do it for me, but I’m skeptical about the level of protection they would give the piece.
Sorry for my total lack of knowledge here. I’ve looked around quite a bit and can’t find anything on how to pack and ship custom pieces.
Thanks very much,
Ernie
Replies
Ernie,
Your skepticism is well founded.
I have sort of an on again off again relation with UPS, and right now we are pretty much on the outs.
To be honest, going with UPS packing service seems to be a roll of the dice. I know my local store never has the same staff from one visit to the next, and this can't help but to translate into variable levels of experience.
I just sent a child size chest on frame, from Ohio to Montana and the total to pack and ship the piece was $256.87, a not insignificant sum. The customer reported the packaging was far below what would be expected, but fortunately there was no damage. When I told her how much I paid, she could not believe it. In the end the only reasons I went with UPS, is they would have been about $100 less than my favorite method (Craters and Freighters), and packaging it myself, would have made a damage claim more difficult.
I will continue to use UPS for very small items, which I feel that I can securely pack myself. For larger items, I will have to go with Craters and Freighters ( who are excellent and I recommend them highly). This use to be a more difficult choice, but with UPS going up so much on their fee, and the quality of their work so variable, it is no longer a difficult choice.
Rob Millard
http://www.americanfederalperiod.com
Edited 2/9/2007 10:26 pm ET by RMillard
Thanks. I found a C&F in New Orleans, about 150 miles away from here (Lafayette, LA). I'm checking to see if they serve here as well.Ernie
There are a number of trucking companies that specialize in what is called, "blanket wrapped" or "white glove" deliveries. This is by far the best way to ship a substantial piece, placed where the customer wants it, debris picked up. The movers bubble wrap, place protective cardboard, wrap in blankets or crate. Of course they are fully insured, trained and have the customer sign off on damages. Prices depend on the size and from where to where.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
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