I was planning on posting two beautiful cues today, however USPS decided to postpone that with their LOUSY INSURED shipping damage. Imagine how the cues look... )>:
That doesn't look good. But, on more than one occasion, I have received a box that look just like that. I expected the worst. But, when I opened them, the cues were in perfect condition.
Wow sorry to see that john. I always have used this service and shipped my cues in a hard shell tube never a problem. Been lucky i guess for the last 20 + years. Hope all works out for you sir! Oh what kind of cues are they?
I bought FED EX insuranceand shipped a knife to a guy for the purchase price of $3800. FED Ex destroyed it be cracking the MOP handle. They denied the claim saying a knifeworth that much was collectable and they do not insure collectables. Read the fine print. I was pissed
I learned from Will Prout early on to use PVC tube or a cue case inside the shipping box for any of the carriers. I actually keep a spare 1x2 tube type case around for trades. I would send the seller/buyer my cue in the case and ask that they send their cue back in the same case. Sorry to see this happen to you. Hope there's a positive outcome.
I don't understand the practice of shipping expensive fragile cues in less than rigid tubes?
At the end of the day the extra effort and cost is negligible and forgotten quickly. But the hassle to collect insurance and replacements for broken cues leaves a bad taste forever.
I just sent a Scruggs to someone and I packed it in a "bad" GTF case just to make sure it was protected from anything but catastrophic damage.
I agree with many of the other posters. I can not believe sellers are sending cues in just that cardboard tube. Not just sellers, but even cue makers. I have had two recent cues received close to that condition. I mean, come on, saving a buck means that much!! Use PVC or ABS plastic in addition to the packing tube...
Mr. Jerry (that's my name for him when we talk, after all, he's an eager 72 yr. old. man with eyes on today's desires!!! ...)
Jerry Rauenzahn called today very concerned from what he saw!!! I could genuinly hear how he wanted to find out what had happened to his work.
We were VERY .... I MEAN VERY LUCKY. I didn't have to open the package to remove the two cues. Mr. Jerry double bubble wrapped the cues and shafts, AND added 3" of additional bubble wrap at each end.
That's what saved the cues in delivery.
Otherwise...
this was NOT to be a pretty ending.....
I was able to soak, turn, and sand the shafts that had damage, and butts were OK THANK GOD!!!!
I was fearful the pins were bent, or knocked out of center. However, they are not.... YEAH!!!
I feel for you, but the fact can not be ignored these USPS triangle boxes are horribly inadequate for shipping cues.
I have received three damaged cues because of those pieces of garbage.
Anytime I buy a cue now I warn the seller do not ship my cue in those triangles unless they will be putting a rigid tube inside it.
This one resulted in a cracked handle on a $1000.00+ vintage Runde Schon I purchased a while back. Not the one in my signature thank God.