Cue Shipping Method
- Thread starter ryso
- Start date
Never, ever, EVER...send anything of intrinsic value via a Ground carrier!!! I have seen some of the most well packed items destroyed....or stolen. Boxes arrive empty all the time. I used to work at FedEx Ground, with damaged packages. You're not really saving all that much on the shipping to risk it.
The minimum method I would use would be USPS Priority, Insured w/Delivery Confirmation. Wrap the case completely in bubble wrap, then some newspaper, slide inside the USPS Triangle, and you should be okay. With higher end items, I would add Signature Required. (I tend to send these items Overnight or at the minimum, 2nd Day Air). This requires someone over 18 years of age to sign at time of delivery, and provides a record of who actually received the item(s).
The rule of thumb with shipping is the less time in transit, the better the chances that everything will go smoothly....the less hands that touch it the better. DON'T try to cheap out on the shipping....it could cost you more in the long term. I would rather lose some money on the deal due to shipping costs than to deal with a snafu on the other end.
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The only way that i know of to ensure the protection of your cue is to purchase a piece of 3" pvc pipe with 2 end caps, ship overnite with USPS. They are much cheaper than UPS. It is the most protective way that I know of. It may cost a little extra...but whats the price on piece of mine...!!!
...QBall...
QB Custom Cues
...QBall...
QB Custom Cues
EXPRESS with USPS
You can go down to any US Postal Service and pick up a 36" triangle box. Put you cue in a soft or semi hard case and insert into 36" triangle box. Send it via Express mail. You can insure express up to $5,000. Insurance is much cheaper with express, due to not ever mingling with ordinary mail. It comes with a tracking number and the recipient has to sign for the package. It won't be left at the door for some stray dog to chew on.
You can go down to any US Postal Service and pick up a 36" triangle box. Put you cue in a soft or semi hard case and insert into 36" triangle box. Send it via Express mail. You can insure express up to $5,000. Insurance is much cheaper with express, due to not ever mingling with ordinary mail. It comes with a tracking number and the recipient has to sign for the package. It won't be left at the door for some stray dog to chew on.
Everyone Has Given You Good Advice BUT.........
The posted responses to your questioon offer excellent advice but the one thing that's not been emphasized is "fastest shipping possible" to avoid weather related problems. In the winter or summer period, I always am cautious about cold and heat damage to the cue shafts (warping from exposure to inclement conditions).
Always have the cue move thru the delivery system as fast as possible......a next day delivery coast to coast.....that's overnight and delivered within 24 hrs.........there's minimal chance of the cue carton sitting in any delivery truck overnight parked outside (unheated truck) or any other location like that. The package just moves thru the system way too fast to be exposed to any extreme heat or cold........cue shafts can warp easily.....leave you cue in the trunk of your car when the temperature outside gets to above 95 degrees.....where I live in Central Ca, the summer temp gets easily above 100 degrees.
So what's the cost for shipping this way.....I sold and shipped 2 cues within the past 6 months.......shipped both cue overnight via USPS for a guaranteed Sat. delioevery....shipped the cue from Fresno, CA on a Fri morning before noontime. The cue recipients resided in Canton, Ohio and Utica, NY......both parties had their cues before 11 am the next day. The most expensive of the two deliveries was the Utica, NY delivery......3000 miles.....I shipped a $2K Joss West cue insured, overnight via the USPS and my shipping cost was less than $47.00. So you decide how much the cue is worth and how much you want to spend to avoid any problems.......you could ship it for even less via USPS using 2 day deivery.
I just happen to believe the faster the package moves, the less chance of problems. For a package to go coast to coast delivered within 24 hrs. well you know the package is continually being handled and passed along that there's little chance of the package being misplaced, lost or damaged.
The posted responses to your questioon offer excellent advice but the one thing that's not been emphasized is "fastest shipping possible" to avoid weather related problems. In the winter or summer period, I always am cautious about cold and heat damage to the cue shafts (warping from exposure to inclement conditions).
Always have the cue move thru the delivery system as fast as possible......a next day delivery coast to coast.....that's overnight and delivered within 24 hrs.........there's minimal chance of the cue carton sitting in any delivery truck overnight parked outside (unheated truck) or any other location like that. The package just moves thru the system way too fast to be exposed to any extreme heat or cold........cue shafts can warp easily.....leave you cue in the trunk of your car when the temperature outside gets to above 95 degrees.....where I live in Central Ca, the summer temp gets easily above 100 degrees.
So what's the cost for shipping this way.....I sold and shipped 2 cues within the past 6 months.......shipped both cue overnight via USPS for a guaranteed Sat. delioevery....shipped the cue from Fresno, CA on a Fri morning before noontime. The cue recipients resided in Canton, Ohio and Utica, NY......both parties had their cues before 11 am the next day. The most expensive of the two deliveries was the Utica, NY delivery......3000 miles.....I shipped a $2K Joss West cue insured, overnight via the USPS and my shipping cost was less than $47.00. So you decide how much the cue is worth and how much you want to spend to avoid any problems.......you could ship it for even less via USPS using 2 day deivery.
I just happen to believe the faster the package moves, the less chance of problems. For a package to go coast to coast delivered within 24 hrs. well you know the package is continually being handled and passed along that there's little chance of the package being misplaced, lost or damaged.
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In case you missed it...I did allude to this in post #2. Please re-read the last paragraph.
It should be noted that not all areas of this country are covered by guaranteed overnight delivery. No matter the carrier chosen, you must check to assure that the zip code being shipped from or shipped to are actually covered under the overnight delivery guarantee. This applies even to USPS because their Priority and Express packages are actually contracted out to FedEx Express for transport to the USPS sort terminals....and therefore, FedEx Express rules with regards to delivery areas applies.
As an example...in order for me to ship via USPS Express Guaranteed Overnight Delivery within the CONUS, I must take my package to the Post Office in the next town over from where I live to ship it...as my address and zip code are about 2 blocks outside the guarantee area. My zip is considered an 'outlying area' by both the USPS and FedEx Express. So I have to drive about 8 miles to ship because of 2 blocks of street map. My local PO is only a few blocks away...in the wrong direction. Conversely....I have to have my FedEx Express Overnight packages delivered to me at the local terminal, which is about 15 miles away at the local airport, if I wish to have them the next day. (I also have to have them shipped this way.) I have paid for this service (Overnight) and been burned by FedEx Express...as my zip code flags in their system, and is pulled and held at the Memphis sort facility to be shipped and delivered the next day. They will NOT offer this information at the shipping counter, you must ask!
BTW...with regards to weather......if there is some sort of 'weather event' your overnight delivery will not be guaranteed...there's a scan for that.
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Almost every cue I have received have been shipped by USPS. So far, no issues, knock on wood. If I had an expensive cue to ship, I may consider sending in this case by Prather.
http://www.prathercue.com/cue_cases/cue_cases.html
http://www.prathercue.com/cue_cases/cue_cases.html
I've also used USPS (Priority, Fully Insured with at least Confirmation Delivery) and never had a problem.
I also take pride in packing. I treat every item as very valuable, and as if I was mailing it to me.
There's nothing worst than paying for an item, and when you finally receive it the packing is all unsat with no proof of care at all.
I also take pride in packing. I treat every item as very valuable, and as if I was mailing it to me.
There's nothing worst than paying for an item, and when you finally receive it the packing is all unsat with no proof of care at all.
depends
how much the cue is worth how many cues you are sending , and to which country.
First I dont use Fed ex or ups.................
pvc pipe is stronger then carboard tube. if you are sending 2 cues pvc pipe is cheaper, carpet and flooring stores throw the carboard tubing away.
Most of it is heavy wall and will cost more to ship.
Out of country Biggest problem is custom tax or fees most customers will not want you to insure over 250.00.
Makes me very nevous to ship hi $ cue with low insurance .
so i ship either heave wall carboard or pvc pipe.
USPS Priortiy best rates.
best example of bullet proof I rather pay a little extra then do a insurance claim. So far I am 100% but any postal person that dont care can screw a cue up in a heart beat . I could only insure for 15% of what the cue was worth.
its worth going the extra effort
MMike
how much the cue is worth how many cues you are sending , and to which country.
First I dont use Fed ex or ups.................
pvc pipe is stronger then carboard tube. if you are sending 2 cues pvc pipe is cheaper, carpet and flooring stores throw the carboard tubing away.
Most of it is heavy wall and will cost more to ship.
Out of country Biggest problem is custom tax or fees most customers will not want you to insure over 250.00.
Makes me very nevous to ship hi $ cue with low insurance .
so i ship either heave wall carboard or pvc pipe.
USPS Priortiy best rates.
best example of bullet proof I rather pay a little extra then do a insurance claim. So far I am 100% but any postal person that dont care can screw a cue up in a heart beat . I could only insure for 15% of what the cue was worth.
its worth going the extra effort
MMike
Great advice! THE FASTER THE BETTER
I never had a problem with UPS. I ship cues packed in a rigid tube and then into a rectangular box. Most of the problems are from poor packaging. I had cue makers ship stuff wrapped in newspaper and then into a soft cardboard triangle box. That is asking for trouble. Proper packaging is everything.
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Again, alluded to in post #2. Does anyone actually read all the posts in a thread before posting?
Lisa ======> guesses that actually working in the shipping industry (in the damages dept, no less) has no clout over some Joe Schmoe's shipping experience.
piece of your what?
