Shipping cue

[muskyed]

How is everyone shipping cues? I'm talking private party not business. I have gotten a recommendation for Fedex. Also round tube, have that, or sq box, not sure if I have that. Apx value $1500-$1800. Also apx cost to do this, mid country to the coast? Have never shipped cue before, and if Paypal, how does that work for Paypal to get funds to you? I have a Paypal acct but don't use it.

 

[DJKeys]

If you are going to ship a cue with that value, I strongly recommend Fedex triangular express tube. Fedex (and everyone else) charges much more for a round tube, as they are harder to process. They have the best tracking and are the most reliable in my opinion. Fedex express Saver is a good choice, gets most anywhere in the US in 2-3 days. Definitely not the cheapest, though, but I never skimp on shipping an expensive cue.

-dj

 

[BigBoof]

Another advantage of a triangle box is that it won't roll off a conveyor belt.

A round tube in that box gives more protection.

Good luck.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

 

[Chopdoc]

Round tube in triangle box, I agree.

 

[Frosty]

I like putting it into bubble wrap and then into a piece of PVC pipe with caps. Then pack that into a box and ship. It’s virtually indestructible packed like that. May seem like overkill but the animals that work for these shipping companies are truly inventive when it comes to ways to handle packages roughly. The buyer is going to have PayPal protection for his cash if cue is damaged and the seller is on the hook. Trying to collect insurance even if you pay for it is an adventure at best. It’s just worth the extra time and slight expense to save those headaches.

 

[j2pac]

How is everyone shipping cues? I'm talking private party not business. I have gotten a recommendation for Fedex. Also round tube, have that, or sq box, not sure if I have that. Apx value $1500-$1800. Also apx cost to do this, mid country to the coast? Have never shipped cue before, and if Paypal, how does that work for Paypal to get funds to you? I have a Paypal acct but don't use it.

I use UPS, and print my own labels via PayPal. The cost still seems reasonable.

 

[j2pac]

How is everyone shipping cues? I'm talking private party not business. I have gotten a recommendation for Fedex. Also round tube, have that, or sq box, not sure if I have that. Apx value $1500-$1800. Also apx cost to do this, mid country to the coast? Have never shipped cue before, and if Paypal, how does that work for Paypal to get funds to you? I have a Paypal acct but don't use it.

Something else to consider. As a few have stated in this thread, use a tube inside a box. One extra step that I take, is to use either foam donuts, bubble wrap, or some kind of additional substrate inside the tube, to center the cue/shaft inside the tube. It might be overkill, but I've always felt better about stabilizing the item, even inside the tube itself.

 

[maha]

vett your customer. get his real full name and living address and send to that. google it and see if you want to take the risk to send it there. google him and his phone number and see what you can find out.
anything that smells dont send it.
pay pal will not give you the money and he will have the cue if a disagreement happens.
i would get a better way of getting funds that cant be held.
postal money order. wired funds etc, unless sure he is sound. and a regular poster on here.

 

[GoldCrown]

Round tube in triangle box, I agree.

I Glue & Tape the tube to the box. I tape the ends of the tube. The tube should bullet proof. If a strong tube cannot be found consider using PVC. Maybe drill a few holes onto the tube so it can breath.
If you ever bought a cue from Seyberts their tubes can handle a truck driving over them.

vett your customer. get his real full name and living address and send to that. google it and see if you want to take the risk to send it there. google him and his phone number and see what you can find out.
anything that smells dont send it.
pay pal will not give you the money and he will have the cue if a disagreement happens.
i would get a better way of getting funds that cant be held.
postal money order. wired funds etc, unless sure he is sound. and a regular poster on here.

Absolutely. Get a feel for the buyer. I proposed a few cues for sale...they are in 99%... stated no returns if you do not like it. If the disclosure checks out I do not want it back.

 

[Chopdoc]

I Glue & Tape the tube to the box. I tape the ends of the tube. The tube should bullet proof. If a strong tube cannot be found consider using PVC. Maybe drill a few holes onto the tube so it can breath.
If you ever bought a cue from Seyberts their tubes can handle a truck driving over them.

Absolutely. Get a feel for the buyer. I proposed a few cues for sale...they are in 99%... stated no returns if you do not like it. If the disclosure checks out I do not want it back.

PVC is great. Basically a Fellini/Centennial/Engles case to ship in.

I have never bought a Cue from Seyberts but have heard about it, not unlikely from you.

How someone packs and ships a cue says a lot.

It's actually part of the gamble when buying from Ebay and other sources from "non-cue" people. I am never surprised to see the tragedy unfold. I have gotten cues where the darn thing was sticking out of the packaging. I have seen cues packed with chalk and sandpaper...wow...

I am however surprised to see a poorly packed cue from a "cue person".

Good advice as well is to take pictures of your packaging.

And if you are the buyer take pictures or video when unpacking.

There is always risk involved. Good communication is key, and covering all the details is key...use reliable payment and shipping methods and use insurance.

It's part of the cost of doing business.

 

[GoldCrown]

PVC is great. Basically a Fellini/Centennial/Engles case to ship in.

I have never bought a Cue from Seyberts but have heard about it, not unlikely from you.

How someone packs and ships a cue says a lot.

It's actually part of the gamble when buying from Ebay and other sources from "non-cue" people. I am never surprised to see the tragedy unfold. I have gotten cues where the darn thing was sticking out of the packaging. I have seen cues packed with chalk and sandpaper...wow...

I am however surprised to see a poorly packed cue from a "cue person".

Good advice as well is to take pictures of your packaging.

And if you are the buyer take pictures or video when unpacking.

There is always risk involved. Good communication is key, and covering all the details is key...use reliable payment and shipping methods and use insurance.

It's part of the cost of doing business.

I bought a custom cane that was shipped loose in weak cardboard box... It was poking through the box when I received it and chipped. The best Iv'e seen was a guy I know bought a turntable through eBay. It was loose in a box and looked like scrape yard junk when received.

 

[Quesports]

I like putting it into bubble wrap and then into a piece of PVC pipe with caps. Then pack that into a box and ship. It’s virtually indestructible packed like that. May seem like overkill but the animals that work for these shipping companies are truly inventive when it comes to ways to handle packages roughly. The buyer is going to have PayPal protection for his cash if cue is damaged and the seller is on the hook. Trying to collect insurance even if you pay for it is an adventure at best. It’s just worth the extra time and slight expense to save those headaches.

I agree with your packing instructions completely. It’s exactly what I’ve done in the past. The folks in the shipping industry seem to get joy out of seeing how much damage they can do.

I also agree with Fed Ex being the preferred shipper. On another note concerning insurance on any item being shipped I am not sure it’s a good idea.

It’s like admitting there is a valuable item in the container. To that end I am friends with a cue maker that sends most of his cues to Asia. They all have ivory in them. He never insures them for the reasons I mentioned. His policy is once they are in the shippers possession they are no longer his responsibility and the buyers agree to that stipulation and there has never been an issue.

The world and especially America changed drastically in the last twenty years. The shipping industry reflects that downward spiral. IMO!

Good luck to the OP, there’s lots of good advice shared here by good people!

 

[GoldCrown]

I agree with your packing instructions completely. It’s exactly what I’ve done in the past. The folks in the shipping industry seem to get joy out of seeing how much damage they can do.

I also agree with Fed Ex being the preferred shipper. On another note concerning insurance on any item being shipped I am not sure it’s a good idea.

It’s like admitting there is a valuable item in the container. To that end I am friends with a cue maker that sends most of his cues to Asia. They all have ivory in them. He never insures them for the reasons I mentioned. His policy is once they are in the shippers possession they are no longer his responsibility and the buyers agree to that stipulation and there has never been an issue.

The world and especially America changed drastically in the last twenty years. The shipping industry reflects that downward spiral. IMO!

Good luck to the OP, there’s lots of good advice shared here by good people!

Not sure about Fedx...but for UPS.. I set up an account ...I measure/weight/print a label then take to the UPS store. If they weigh and label it cost almost double or more compared to bringing it in pre-paid ready to go. If a Fedx account can be set up at home it will be substantially cheaper to measure/weigh/label and bring to a Fedx facility.

 

[Quesports]

Not sure about Fedx...but for UPS.. I set up an account ...I measure/weight/print a label then take to the UPS store. If they weigh and label it cost almost double or more compared to bringing it in pre-paid ready to go. If a Fedx account can be set up at home it will be substantially cheaper to measure/weigh/label and bring to a Fedx facility.

Perhaps UPS has gotten better, ten or so years ago there was no comparison. Shipping costs now are ridiculous and cost more than the item at times.. It’s crazy!

 

[j2pac]

Perhaps UPS has gotten better, ten or so years ago there was no comparison. Shipping costs now are ridiculous and cost more than the item at times.. It’s crazy!

I just shipped 3 shafts to Bob DZ, via UPS w/ a few hundred dollars insurance. I weighed the package myself, and printed my own label via PayPal...The cost was under $20.00.

 

[dendweller]

I Glue & Tape the tube to the box. I tape the ends of the tube. The tube should bullet proof. If a strong tube cannot be found consider using PVC. Maybe drill a few holes onto the tube so it can breath.
If you ever bought a cue from Seyberts their tubes can handle a truck driving over them.

Absolutely. Get a feel for the buyer. I proposed a few cues for sale...they are in 99%... stated no returns if you do not like it. If the disclosure checks out I do not want it back.

Seybert's definitely has the best packaging. I wish I knew where you could buy those tubes.

 

[GoldCrown]

Perhaps UPS has gotten better, ten or so years ago there was no comparison. Shipping costs now are ridiculous and cost more than the item at times.. It’s crazy!

Items have to be packed,weighed & labeled at home or work to get a decent rate.

 

[Sooner32]

Aside from packing, I believe which company may be better depends on where you live and who works at your company locally. For me, I would rather not be shipped a thing than to see UPS is bringing it here. They are absolutely awful, they lie on their tracker, they refuse to come here many days. I do live in the country and do not have any neighbors but Amazon, USPS and Fedex somehow manage to get here.

I just bought a cue from Billiard Bill's website. He shipped to me by UPS. The cue went from Fort Myers to OKC in about 36 hours, then it sat 40 miles from my house for 5 days. Was "out for delivery" 3 of those days. The first of the three days it said dangerous weather created a delay. We had a half inch of rain that day. The next two days it said delivery attempted. Both the wife and I work from the house, nobody came here. I did finally get the cue in a beat up box. Thankfully it was well packed.

Last year I bought a knife from Knifeworks in Louisiana. The knife was shipped UPS, made it to OKC in 24 hours....then it took 17 days to get the knife from OKC to my house. In those 17 days the number of absolutely ridiculously made up comments typed into their tracker ruined UPS for me for life. When I tried to contact them and tell them to hold the knife wherever the hell it was and I would go get it, I was told I had to pay for that service. So I needed to pay in order to get the item they had already been paid to deliver. Great folks.

 

[SBC]

How is everyone shipping cues? I'm talking private party not business. I have gotten a recommendation for Fedex. Also round tube, have that, or sq box, not sure if I have that. Apx value $1500-$1800. Also apx cost to do this, mid country to the coast? Have never shipped cue before, and if Paypal, how does that work for Paypal to get funds to you? I have a Paypal acct but don't use it.

Get a section of PVC pipe if you are going for nearly indestructible. The triangle cardboard boxes do not hold up.

 

[GoldCrown]

Get a section of PVC pipe if you are going for nearly indestructible. The triangle cardboard boxes do not hold up.

I do not like the Triangle box... I buy a rigid 4x4 by 36 and stick the tube in there. I use filament tape and plenty of it to close the box.
Use quality shipping materials.... might cost a little more but alleviates aggravation.