Shipping Hardware Cross-Country? 106
ae0nflx asks: "I just graduated from High School and the computer that my parents gave me four years ago has finally died. I've decided to spend all that money that I've been hoarding for a few summers on a new G5. The problem lies in the fact that for college I'll be moving to the East Coast (Upstate New York), from the foggy shores of the San Francisco Bay. Does anyone have any insight on how to ship my brand new machine cross country? Cheap would be good. I'll be flying back in late August and I don't think that I'll be able to take her back with me because I'm assuming she'll be a little big for the overhead bin... I'm not sure if I can trust this to the Postal Service alone." It may not be the same as shipping the big iron, but when you trust your hardware to any shipping company, be it Federal Express, or UPS, you do have the expectations that what you ship, will get to where it's going, and hopefully get there in one piece. Which shipping companies would you recommend for this job? For those who have done this, what experiences have you had, and what suggestions can you pass on to ae0nflx?
Yes! NOT AIRBORNE EXPRESS (Score:2)
Re:Yes! NOT AIRBORNE EXPRESS (Score:2)
Re:Yes! NOT AIRBORNE EXPRESS (Score:1, Informative)
1) Make sure it is packaged in at least 2" of SOLID packing material. Peanuts, paper, and similar materials will not protect a computer. If bubble wrap is used, layer it generously. Add what you think is enough, then add at least two more layers. Sharp metal edges and corners destroy bubble wrap.
2) Pack the PC in the original shipping box if available, or another similar sized box if not.
Re:Yes! NOT AIRBORNE EXPRESS (Score:2, Informative)
Either way, you should make sure you are there to pick up the package
Re:Yes! NOT AIRBORNE EXPRESS (Score:1)
Easy (Score:1)
If you keep the original boxes (Score:1)
Just hold off until school starts and ship it directly there.
Especially since they won't be shipping (Score:2)
Does anyone do research?
Re:If you keep the original boxes (Score:1)
And just in case it's the best school in upstate New York to which you are going...Go Big Red! [cornell.edu]
Re:If you keep the original boxes (Score:1)
Do it yourself (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Do it yourself (Score:2)
Too bad rental agencies discriminate against young adults on the basis of age - if possible this would be a great way to start college - take a couple weeks to get there too - you'll have fond memories to think about when you're cramming for the chemistry final at 4am.
Re:Do it yourself (Score:2)
Save your money (Score:1)
hehe
oh well... enjoy your new box!
Use the packaging it came in. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Use the packaging it came in. (Score:1)
Shipping UPS or Fedex *ground* will be much cheaper than by air... however, give yourself 7-10 days for delivery, perhaps more. Hell, you can next-day it to yourself, b
Other options (Score:1)
2) Get a laptop instead
If you do decide to ship a desktop machine, you should be OK. I mean Dell, Gateway, and the rest ship them computers all over the place. Just make sure you lay your hands on a proper shipping container, and pad things extra well. Backup your data beforehand, and buy shipping insurance, too, just in case.
Just wait a little while.... (Score:1)
Re:Just wait a little while... good advice! (Score:2, Informative)
Assuming it was an issue, my advice would be to ship ground in the original packaging. With insurance.
For school... (Score:3, Insightful)
The safest way (Score:5, Insightful)
But losing your pr0n collection, *that's* bad.
Re:The safest way (Score:1)
Re:The safest way (Score:2)
No matter how much you insure it for, though, you can never replace the data.
Doug
Re:The safest way (Score:1)
If you don't have a scanner, now might be a good time to beg, buy, or borrow (not steal) one for about
use original box and UPS (Score:1)
insure it (Score:5, Insightful)
As long as you don't trust them with your data this is a much easier policy than trying to figure out a safe way to ship it.
As far as packaging, I've had good luck double boxing it (put computer inside tight fitting box packed with foam, put box inside larger looser box packed with styrofoam peanuts). The outside box ends up looking trashed but the inside box is fine. Again this is with pulling the harddrives and carrying those personally.
Re:insure it (Score:3, Insightful)
So he packaged it up, shipped it to himself at his point of destination and went to pick it up. Destroyed, completely destroyed. So he went to complain, and complain he did.
Re:insure it (Score:2)
Re:insure it (Score:2)
What arrived was a large box full of styrofoam peanuts, beat up to hell and back badly enough that there were holes, and openings at the seams. And that was it; no innner box with computer. He never got it back.
The message here is not to avoid the double boxing as that is still a good idea, but to:
1. Tape the fsck out of that outer box so it can't get open no
Re:insure it (Score:3, Informative)
Re:insure it (Score:2)
Always Keep the Original Packaging (Score:5, Interesting)
As an alternative, you may be able to partially disassemble your machine based on what might get damaged if part of the internals of your computer came apart during shipping. For example: Pull out the hard drive, and keep that with you (as it has all of your important data), while pulling out all internal cards (PCI, AGP, ISA, etc) and putting them in seperate protective containters.
When Intel had their cartrige processors (during Pentium 2, and early Pentium 3 days), the massive cartrige and its heat sink had a tendancy to come off during transport, and flop about wildly inside the computer case during transport - damaging just about everything inside of a computer. If you feel that your heat sink/fan is too big you may consider removing those, along with your processor, and placing them in protective containers as well.
This way, you reduce the chance that one breakage would destroy the entire computer, and help to minimize your costs to repair/replace parts. As well, you also maximize the survivability of your important information.
already handled by vendor (Score:4, Informative)
If you're not willing to do that, save the boxes. Most machines (and Macs for certain) come in large styrofoam-lined boxes that can handle a lot of abuse.
When you ship, the important rules are:
Rattling is your enemy.
Rigid and brittle is your enemy.
Make sure that nothing in the box can bang into anything else in the box. Gently loosen (but don't remove!) any non-critical screws that make the inside more rigid (add-on card screws, for example), but ensure that anything that holds important parts in place (hard drive screws, etc.) is tight.
When you ship, take it to a mailing place like Mailboxes Etc. They'll charge you $30 for a box and shipping material, but then they'll pack it well and ensure that it's shipped with appropriate labels. For a $3000 computer, that's a bargain.
Finally, do a thorough inspection of your machine when it arrives. Ensure that every internal cable is attached, every screw is in place and tightened, every bit of packing material is removed, etc.
Crap shoot the whole way (Score:5, Insightful)
Airborne is late more often the FedEx who is late more often then UPS. Personally, I'd ship it UPS, and add $3K in insurance. I'd ship it ground, (it'll probably end up on a plane, but if you can deal with not having it for 5-6 days it's a lot cheaper).
Get it ensured. Keep the insurance slip. Make sure it's a must be signed for shipment, and call UPS to have it be arrange for pickup if you don't get it the first time they attempt to deliver it.
If it's not there, and you don't have a note, call UPS. Check the website.
If it's not there within 3 business days of the scheduled delivery date, you are screwed, call UPS, file a tracer. Start the process of getting your insurance money.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry on here is going to tell you their personal story about how they got screwed by carrier X, and how they will never use carrier X again. They think the carrier has some personal vendetta. It's comical. All of the carriers move millions of items a week. An success rate of 5 9's, still means a lot of screw ups a week. Make sure you have the documentation, make sure you take care of it quickly, make sure you follow up with them. You can successfully get your refund if it gets lost or damaged, sometimes it takes a little while, if you can't deal with that rent a car, drive the damn thing.
Kirby
Re:Crap shoot the whole way (Score:3, Informative)
1. Stuff gets misloaded. It ends up on the wrong truck. Right now our region is the top in the nation and we around 1 for 3000 misload rate. My shift handles between 55,000 and 75,000 boxes everynight this time of year. Stuff WILL be late some of the time. It just happens.
2. Stuff gets damaged. Not really all that much, but it happens at least once or twice a night on my belt. (My belt handles between 5,000 and 7,000 packages/night). We as load
Re:Crap shoot the whole way (Score:1, Funny)
SO IT WAS YOU HUH!?!?! I HAVE FINALLY TRACKED YOU DOWN, HAHA! Prepare for my friends Bruno and Vinnie to pay you a little visit...
Re:Crap shoot the whole way (Score:2)
Basically, the last thing you want is to ship it ground. Yes, ground is cheaper, but if having your system arrive intact and unharmed is what matters to you, sending it by air is the way to go. Some handlers have issues, and the fewer of them it has to go through, the better.
My experience, both with my own packages and other people's packages, is that Fedex Ground and UPS are on about the same level when it comes to damaged packages. Fedex
Original packing (Score:3, Informative)
Keep the original packaging. Preferably all of it, but at the very least the box and styrofoam inserts. And if you ever think you'll need to ship it again afterwards then you'd better continue to keep that box.
If the box is in crap condition, or you're just overly paranoid, then pack it again in a second, slightly larger box cushioned with styrofoam peanuts. If you're looking to get these on the cheap, go to a local recycling center -- mine will provide styrofoam peanuts for free. You may be able to pickup a good box for free as well, but they usually crush them pretty rapidly.
Prior to shipping, make a backup, or just accept that you may never get the data back -- misdelivery, crashed drive (highly unlikely), etc. It's not a high likelihood, but if you're paranoid...
When you receive it, unpack it carefully and then open the case. Make sure all the cards and the CPU are seated securely. Make sure fans are plugged in. Only after that should you turn it on... modern heatsink/fans are so large they often cause the CPU to become unsocketed or wiggle the fan connector lose (which leads to a dead CPU in no time).
Who to ship with? FedEx or UPS. Doesn't matter. I've had problems with both, and I've had excellent experiences with both. Don't use the USPS, and don't use 3rd or 4th tier providers. They're really not all that expensive. Pack it yourself, take it to a local facility (not Mailboxes, etc (which is now owned by UPS) or similar). Yes, there's one near you unless you live in the boonies -- where do you think they deliver from in the first place? If you go online and have your package weight, dimensions, and declared value you can get a good idea how much it'll cost too -- although the last time I did this it cost me less than what the estimate said.
During delivery keep a sharp eye on the tracking number -- you can use a phone if you don't have a computer. If something looks wrong (like they say it's delivered, but it's not) then start complaining -- preferably at the local delivery center in person.
Make sure you require a signature. Make sure you're there to get the delivery. Or simply request it be held at the delivery center and go pick it up yourself (which is what I prefer to do).
Oh, and if you don't have the original packaging -- well, don't expect much. I wouldn't trust it to a delivery company at that point, and even if you put insurance on it you won't be able to collect since they'll very easily be able to claim improper packaging. Start seriously considering a cross country road trip.
Re:Original packing (Score:2)
If you DIY pack a machine, don't expect the shipper to honor your insurance claim. "bad packing" is an easy out for them.
FedEx 3 Day Air Insured (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:FedEx 3 Day Air Insured (Score:2)
Don't use UPS
For the best chance of a safe arrival, use Fed Ex 3-day. For the cheapest, use USPS but be sure and pack it well
Re:FedEx 3 Day Air Insured (Score:1)
Another vote for that! UPS managed to damage three packages I sent or received in the course of one year.
I've never had a problem with FedEx or with USPS Priority Mail.
Air (Score:1)
Ship it air. Under no circumstances ship it ground. Ground is slow (especially that far) and it's murder on equipment. Also, ground tracking is terrible.
As others have mentioned, use the original packaging. If you're really paranoid, pack that box (insulated by peanuts or bubble wrap) inside another box.
Also, as others have mentioned, insure it.
That said, most of the carriers are probably fine as long as it's one of their air services. I'd probably go with FedEx 3-day air.
123 (Score:3, Interesting)
2) Insure it. Pay the extra money to insure it up to 3 grand (your time invested is worth $$ too). And pack it insanely well. Assume they're going to punt it out of the truck into a puddle.
3) Ship it Fed Ex "Signature Required", then if you aren't home when it arrives they'll keep it at a Fed Ex pick up location. Very safe, although you'll have to go a mile or 3 to get it.
Fed Ex is the only carrier I have NEVER had a problem with. UPS is choice number 2. There is no chioce number 3.
Man how bored do you have to be to post shipping instructions to Ask Slashdot? How slow does the world have to be moving for Cliff to post this?
Oohhh neat, there's a puffy cloud outside that sort of looks like the internet.
Re:123 (Score:1)
I've seen UPS punt it into the truck. And it was a flute made of crystal.
You don't need to ship it yourself... (Score:1)
Several things (Score:2, Informative)
Second, you may wish to wait and check with your school. Many universities have arrangements with Apple as well as some other vendors. You may be able to
Just wrap the drive and ship the rest (Score:2)
Theres little point in paying for the expensive shipment of the whole systems weight while the only part to real
Two things: packing and insurance. (Score:1)
What I do (Score:1)
I avoid FedEx like the plague. They have damaged every single package that was shipped to me weighing over about 10 pounds. I kid you not.
As for Airborne Express, they have a stellar record when it comes to business destinations, but when it comes to residential, they are the definition of bungling, Jethro-Clampett-stupid, incompetent jackasses. I can't st
Re:What I do (Score:2)
Courier or drug runner (Score:2, Funny)
Being that you live in San Francisco, contact your local drug dealer. Have him/her add your computer hardware to the weekly cross-country drug run. Drug runners can get things there in a hurry, and they usually avoid police entanglements, in case your computer is hot. (And I'm not talking Athlon hot.)
Standard answer: E-bay (Score:1)
Sell your computer to yourself on E-bay, buyer handles shipping.
My experience... (Score:1)
In my case, I decided to ship my comp. from Chicago back to Boston via the USPS in order to save on cost (we drove in the fall). Including insurance, the total came out to around $25 for regular ground shipping (and nothing broke). If memory serves, the package took about a week to arrive.
For packing, I used the original cardboard box/packing materials the system came in (ie, styrofoam and packing peanuts) and a lot of tap
College plans? (Score:2)
You're not planning to have a girlfriend at college, are you?
Just as well, that way you'll have plenty of time for MMORGs, and Slashdot, and her.
Re:College plans? (Score:1)
Re:College plans? (Score:2)
A "girlfriend" is described on page 63 of the AD&D Monster Manual.
Some key abilities:
+5 Pout Attack
-3 Player Saving Throw required to prevent the monster from running up player's "Magic Visa Card"
Oh, and something about a whip, I think.
Re:Fucking Idiot: UPS, USPS, FedEx .. tsarkon repo (Score:2)
Sad.
Re:Fucking Idiot: UPS, USPS, FedEx .. tsarkon repo (Score:2)
It's "troglodyte"
and "pie hole"
Re:Buttfucking Snarky Asshole (Score:2)
DHL, baby (Score:2)
OH OH... I KNOW! (Score:2)
Do not rule out USPS (Score:2)
If it breaks during shipping, collect insurance, go to NY Apple Store and buy one. Easy.
When you get there... (Score:1)
Educational discounts (and more) (Score:2, Insightful)
Join the Apple Student Dev. program for an even larger discount, or make friends with someone who had/has an internship/job at Apple for more discounts.
That being said, I think the recommendations fo
Considering... (Score:2)
God, I feel more and more like a curmudgeon every day. Is it just me?
I did this (Score:2)
If you're going to college you likely have a bit of time to spend, and you'll need to get used to road trips anyways
In all seriousness though, this is the best way to do it. If you're flying then use UPS/fedex and bundle the puppy up nice, take the hdd out and i
Are you nuts? (Score:2)
Go cheap and get cheap service.
USPS is a good way to ship. (Score:2)
You're looking at 120 dollars, more or less, and that's for the box sans monitor. Figure about the same for the monitor.
For the same thing at UPS (mind you, I've been guesstimating this all) it's about 60 bucks.
That said, you'd be lucky if the g5 will be ready by then. Buy a used laptop (pentium is fine) for 200-300 bucks (or if you are a mac addict, consider a 5300.) and play the waiting game. Heck, you might find out what you really want.
Cheap packing (Score:1)
Just make sure that you have plenty of foam around your PC and it is wrapped in plastic so the foam doesn't stick to anything. Stay away from peanuts for anything heavy, peanuts are designed to give, you want something that is designed to stay rigid but can collapse without putting
this isn't about shipping... (Score:2)
I have a powerbook, and I hook it to an external mouse, monitor and keyboard at my house -- and I forget it's not a desktop machine. (Actually, I use a monitor switch)
And I can go portable with it. I don't do it as often, but when I travel, it's really easy to carry around. I think you'd get more use out of a laptop at school anyhow.
FedEx Ground (Score:2)
Just take it as checked luggage (Score:1)
Personally, what I'd do is:
1. Look up the maximum dimentions for checked luggage for the airline you're using. Usually it's something like the sum of the three dimentions of the package can't exceed some maximum number.
2. Go
FEDEX! (Score:1)
Re:FEDEX! (Score:2)
Re:FEDEX! (Score:1)
Which is exactly why their IT staff is top notch! Not to mention we have some 1337 BSD people downstairs in our building.
You do not get my discount because I have to be there in person when I get it. So start coming to Memphis to ship or STFU!
Laptop (Score:2)
I wish I had one when I was in school. You'll be happy you do. And then shipping won't be a problem.
Prioritize (Score:2)
Figure out exactly what you need when you arrive at college/start a job and worry about it then. Your moving question then becomes irrelevant.
samsonite (Score:2)
Back story (Score:2)
Read this [slashdot.org].
You don't have to worry about crossing the country borders, but the comments are interesting.
Personally, I left my computer in my college town (at a you-store-it kind of place, not environmentally controlled, just a few feet off the concrete ground) even when I was gone. Get a used POS for your summer needs. It's not worth the trouble to ship your baby just for the summer.
Custom boxes.. (Score:2)
Another, lower cost option is to find some large toolboxes. This won't fit a tower case, but is good for a lot of other electronics and related items. You can get form-fitting foam linings f
Remove cards and RAM too. (Score:2)
My horror story... (Score:2)
When I left for school, all I could afford was a PM4400 (first Mac with IDE), I struggled through with that, shipping it home in the summer. I had repacked it in the original box, with the original foam padding, plus sticking some of my t-shirts in the spaces for extra padding. But then when I got it at home the second summer of college, I could easily see it had been dropped... (every time you ship something, the box is going to get a little torn up, but this was worse) my Mac was DOA (something with the
Just Wait (Score:1)
But, save the computer box and foam inserts when you need to return for the summer. It'll be a slight pain to save in the dorms, but the original box and foam inserts will be the best shipping materials that you can use short of the heavy duty shipping
Buy it when you get there (Score:2)
Oh and one final thing: buy a laptop instead.
I just did it. (Score:2)
It always fits (Score:2)
Most of this stuff comes on pallets, usually with a frame around the contents. It gets taken off of one semi, moved around, and put on another semi to its final destination. These pallets (of somewhat nonstandard sizes) needed to be packed into a given number of semis headed for a particular destination.
The pallets always managed to fit
Document your packaging (Score:2)
This way, if damage occurs, you are able to make a reasonable case for yourself that yes, you did pack the PC in a decent manner, and can prove it. Also, pictures of the box/PC as it was when you received it (preferably BEFORE the delivery driver leaves, able to make a claim IMMEDIATELY upon receipt). Documentation will