BUYERS BE ALERT / SELLERS - GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER
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[a.k.a. - "MY RADIO'S TOAST, THANKS TO PARCEL POST]
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There is a growing problem with shipping rigs lately, whether is be a cheap seller, or shipping prices so high they seem prohibitive (thanks to gas prices), or maybe a combination of both?
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Being good at selling doesn't necessarily mean that you are also good at packing and shipping, and that's where the problem comes in. Let's breakdown the sellers into 3 groups:

1. Those who are good sellers, as well as good packers and shippers.
2. Those who are good sellers, and really suck at packing and shipping, but know it - so they use a place like the UPS Store.
3. Those who are good sellers, and believe that little fairies protect the marginally packed item along with pixies who sprinkle pixie dust on the shipping company so that they will handle the package like it was full of eggs.

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It could be that they aren't familiar with shipping delicate items like Ham Radio gear, or it could be they don't have many options. For instance, I've seen quite a few that only go through the U.S. Postal service and offer two options - "Priority" or "Parcel Post". Parcel Post should be the last option considered of any shipper but their prices are lower than other choices, and there are a few sellers that like to make a buck or two on the shipping charges so they'll ship it out Parcel Post.

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I haven't had much luck on receiving radios sent via parcel post, usually there is either some visible damage to the rig, or it just doesn't work. Once and a great while I get lucky. Sometimes I'm charged for UPS and surprised to find it arrive Parcel Post. To all you sellers out there: Parcel Post is good for books, magazines, catalogs, etc. NOT delicate electronics. The picture above is of a shattered final tube in an FT-101 I received. The box looked dubious at best, and the only padding protecting the rig were a few bunched up pieces of newspaper. When I moved the rig to the bendh, I heard the broken glass jingle and figured I'd just replace the tube on Monday. But the following week (and Mondays are always bad anyways) I noticed this:

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As you can see, the back/right end of the rig was smashed in, crushing the tube. Here's a little better view:

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It was "Smushed" in about 3/8" as you can tell from where the back plate mounts, to where it's pushed into. Boy, was I P.O.'d (no pun intended). Strangely enough, the last rig I had come in via Parcel Post (a beautiful International Crystal Base Station) was crushed in on the same exact spot!

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So, BUYERS, take notice of who will be transporting your rig, and is it really worth saving $20 if you get one in that's ruined? If the seller only lists Parcel Post under "Shipping", send him an e-mail and ask why? ask if it's possible to go another route, if not, ask yourself "Do I feel lucky?"

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And SELLERS, yes, we know gas prices have gone up quite a bit, but don't be cheap when it comes to how you ship or pack it (ed. - "Packing", that's a whole 'nother chapter).

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Woody

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