shipping a cue -- cold weather
- Thread starter stricken6
- Start date
I doubt the sealed tube will help much temperature wise. It might help some preventing moisture getting to the cue. The shortest amount of time (and number of times being handled (i.e. thrown around)), the better. If it's a higher end cue, I don't like it being in transport more than 2-3 days. Overnight delivery preferred.
Being exposed to cold temperatures sitting in an airplane, warehouse, delivery truck, can wreck a cue that has woods that were not properly seasoned. Even if the woods were properly seasoned, finish could pop at rings, butt and shafts could warp, ferrules could crack, etc.
Kelly
Being exposed to cold temperatures sitting in an airplane, warehouse, delivery truck, can wreck a cue that has woods that were not properly seasoned. Even if the woods were properly seasoned, finish could pop at rings, butt and shafts could warp, ferrules could crack, etc.
Kelly
Can you think of anything else that could go wrong with a cue while in transit?
What about the rubber bumpers and the butt cap?
I didn't want to scare him with a forklift running over it story. 
Bumpers and butt cap fit into the "etc." category! :rotflmao:
In all seriousness, the op should be fine shipping priority mail or something similar.
Bumpers and butt cap fit into the "etc." category! :rotflmao:
In all seriousness, the op should be fine shipping priority mail or something similar.
I didn't want to scare him with a forklift running over it story.
Bumpers and butt cap fit into the "etc." category! :rotflmao:
In all seriousness, the op should be fine shipping priority mail or something similar.
I've been working in mail-order for 8 years. I've seen it all
just not expensive (to me) pool cues and the cold.
Resist the temptation to rip open the package the second it's in your well heated house. Put it in a cool place for several hours to let the cue slowly warm up. Thermal shock is not good for wood or inlays. That being said, I'm getting my South West back from Laurie this afternoon after being refinished and there's no way I'm going to follow my own advice.
Shipping in Cold Weather
I would have the seller overnight the cue, but regardless of whatever method you choose for shipping, upon receipt of the package/tube/whatever, do not open it immediately. Wait several hours until it comes-up to room temperature. Otherwise you run the risk of damaging the finish as the finish expands before the wood.
Good luck with your new purchase.
I would have the seller overnight the cue, but regardless of whatever method you choose for shipping, upon receipt of the package/tube/whatever, do not open it immediately. Wait several hours until it comes-up to room temperature. Otherwise you run the risk of damaging the finish as the finish expands before the wood.
Good luck with your new purchase.
Pickngrin and type79 have the right idea.
Let the sealed package/cue acclimate itself to room temperature. If possible, leave it in the cold basement for the first day. The basement will help being it up slowly.
Then move it upstairs (still sealed) for a day.
The next day, open both ends of the package. And wait a couple hours to take it out.
Sounds a little like overkill, but better to take the extra precautions.
Let the sealed package/cue acclimate itself to room temperature. If possible, leave it in the cold basement for the first day. The basement will help being it up slowly.
Then move it upstairs (still sealed) for a day.
The next day, open both ends of the package. And wait a couple hours to take it out.
Sounds a little like overkill, but better to take the extra precautions.
I've been working in mail-order for 8 years. I've seen it all
I'll be you haven't seen a shipping company return an item inside a damaged box to
where it was manufactured instead of the place it was shipped from>>:smile:
Packaging
I go down to the carpet stores trash container with a hand saw and find a cardboard tube out of a roll of carpet.
cut it about 32inches in length, then a roll of duck tape.
The tube is heavy walled and there is allot of room for bubble wrap.
The big problem is the cue will be loaded into the belly of some jet liner and if there are no animals in the cargo hold the cargo heaters are not turned on.
Minus 100 degrees is not that uncommon .
Best of luck
I've been working in mail-order for 8 years. I've seen it all
just not expensive (to me) pool cues and the cold.
I go down to the carpet stores trash container with a hand saw and find a cardboard tube out of a roll of carpet.
cut it about 32inches in length, then a roll of duck tape.
The tube is heavy walled and there is allot of room for bubble wrap.
The big problem is the cue will be loaded into the belly of some jet liner and if there are no animals in the cargo hold the cargo heaters are not turned on.
Minus 100 degrees is not that uncommon .
Best of luck
When you get your cue back, can you post the delivery method and packaging South West used to send your cue back? Would Southwest ship it a different method, it it was going to a colder climate?
Never ship in the cold.
Also never ship in the super heat. It can be very costly.
Nick
Also never ship in the super heat. It can be very costly.
Nick
depends on value of cue.....if you are shipping a "big" cue it is cheaper to ship next day....insurance cost will be way more for two day shipping than next day....something i found out last year when shipping a szamboti...the least amount of time they have the cue in transit the cheaper insurance will be...Never had a issue shipping 2 day priority mail weather it is 100 or -20 below out! Used this service for many years! Even over night is not always guarantee next day. 2 day best deal out there for ship cost on cues and reliable!
I can attest to this. Every cue I've sent to Dave has arrived problem free.:thumbup:
One rule I have, ALWAYS ship signature required. I had a cue sent to me from asia. The boneheads at FedEx left the package outside in -35c weather.
Thefonz <= has a cue coming from Thailand this month and is plenty worried.
It was sent in a triangular tube, no special packaging, just ordinary padding. I had it sent by FedEx 2nd day with signature required, home delivery. I'm in the . Bay Area so weather isn't much of a factor. I'm sure that Laurie would try to accommodate you if you had special requirements. You could even send her the packing materials that you would like her to use, like a pvc tube for example. Another option would be for FedEx to hold it at the local office for you to pick up. That way it wouldn't spend several hours on a delivery truck. If you have a choice, use FedEx. I wouldn't use USPS, I've had a couple of close calls with them.