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I would not deal with Larry Leathers again

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:07 am
by K4TEC
I just purchased an FT-847 with power supply.

First off he wanted $100 to ship it, well I sent in UPS using my account and it cost me $34 for 3 boxes.

Thats not my main gripe, what really ticked me off is that he didnt use any packing in the boxes and the rig and power supply arrived smashed, so $110 of parts from Yaesu and I still have to order the parts needed from Astron his attitude sucks, here is his response

"My question is did you insure the packages. Now you know why I never never never use UPS, they are the destroyers. "

Thats it,,, So needless to say I am not a happy camper.

The box you see the power supply in is exactly as it arrived, the rig was the same, no packing, I wonder how Larry would feel if he spent over $1000 and received the equipment like this.

I started this thread purly to make people aware of this situation and NOT to carry on a slanging match.

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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:55 am
by KE3W
Just wondering - what did Larry Leathers say? Maybe the $100 was to include bubble wrap, etc.?

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:27 pm
by W3WN
KE3W wrote:<snip> Maybe the $100 was to include bubble wrap, etc.?
While I don't know if this is the case in THIS particular incident...

I'm finding more and more that there are a small but significant number of people who are selling on-line who, simply put, don't know how to pack.

I've received equipment in boxes 2 or 3 sizes larger than needed, and with no more packing than some crumpled up newspaper. Or no packing at all.

This ought to be critical, because of the methods that ALL of the shipping companies use to "efficiently" move packages around, especially in their bulk or hub facilities. Efficent doesn't neccesarily translate to gentle.

I don't mind paying more for shipping & handling, IF that means that the extra will go to double boxing, bubble wrap, foam inserts to "suspend" the inner box, and so forth. When I pay that and not get the padding and so forth, then it's a case of either someone who doesn't know what they're doing (or doesn't care), or someone who is pocketing the extra as additional "profit."

I don't know what the solution is, though.

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:56 pm
by KE3W
W3WN wrote:...While I don't know if this is the case in THIS particular incident...
Sorry, I was just be sarcastic. It is just common sense to pack appropriately. Your pictures were simply shocking - no way he didn't know they would be damaged - such a shame...

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:54 pm
by K4TEC
The $100 was for shipping and thats all, I have to say that Mr.Leathers attitude really sucked when I sent him the pictures, it felt like he was saying, SO?

Like I said when I started this thread, it was only to bring to the attention of forum members how careful you have to be and not really for any other reason.

I am lucky the equipment was not more seriously damaged and I have the skill to repair as necessary the damage but its the hassle factor.

Another example of another item that arrived yesterday, an Ameritron 811H
no internal packing so you can guess the rest so here are the pictures.

This lack of attention when packing is getting worse, I know there are some that go to super lengths to overpack and I would rather have that than this.

Enjoy the pictures, they are pretty much what has arrived damaged over the past week or two, All of this could so easily have been avoided with a little more time and care, Just sayin

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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:59 pm
by KA2CDT
What a shame that VL-1000 looked like a fine amp. before it was shipped.

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:32 pm
by K4TEC
All the equipment looks good before some ship them, like I mentioned ths=is is from only a short time, I have 100s of pictures of what has arrived here damaged.
What gets me is the lack of time some and only some spend in preparing an item to ship.
In my opinion there is no one particular company better at handling boxes, UPS, FedEx and USPS are all a necessary evil hihi
But in most cases I see it is down to the person who packed the item.
I would rather wait a day longer and get something in one peice rather than have to mess around doing repairs almost every day now.
73s

Bingo!

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:55 pm
by K4ICL
I'm finding more and more that there are a small but significant number of people who are selling on-line who, simply put, don't know how to pack.
You are absolutely correct. This is why I send the following set of packing guidelines to my sellers and make using the guidelines part of the deal.
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K4ICL.com Packing Guidelines

HOW TO PACK YOUR ELECTRONIC GEAR FOR SHIPPING

Proper packing of shipped equipment is the single most important step in conducting business on the Internet, yet often receives the least attention.

Assumptions

A gorilla, larger than you can imagine, will throw your package at least 30 feet to another large gorilla. The second gorilla will not catch it and it will slam against the brick wall and drop to the concrete floor.

You will have to file a damage claim if you do not PROPERLY pack the item. Dealing with damage claims is a REAL hassle, likely to involve much paper work, extra expense and hard feelings. It will make you very cranky.

The Reality

All nationwide shipping carriers, including the U.S. Postal Service, have automated their distribution systems, using bar codes to route packages. It is likely your shipment will be moved through the read-and-sort process using conveyer belts. The conveyer system will drop your package from one belt to another at heights of up to 40 inches. This means that your package will experience a free fall drop(s) at some phase of being carried from your QTH to its destination. IF YOU DON'T PACK IT PROPERLY, IT WILL BE DAMAGED.

The picture below shows a power supply packed by a UPS franchise store, shipped to via UPS, dropped by UPS, and delivered by UPS. This is one of many such UPS shipped and damaged deliveries.

Insurance

Always insure the package for one and one-half times its ACTUAL REPLACEMENT VALUE.

MINIMUM Requirement

Any package should be packed in such a manner that the contents of the package will not be damaged if the package is dropped from the height of a normal shipping counter to the floor, a distance of about 40 inches or three and one half feet.

Step by Step Procedure to assure it getting there undamaged

1. Please note. MOST SO-CALLED PROFESSIONAL PACKING SHOPS (UPS Store, Kinko’s, etc.) HAVE NO EXPERIENCE PACKING THIS KIND OF EQUIPMENT! If you MUST have it packed using these services, make sure you provide a copy of these guidelines and you watch to see that the job is done properly.

2. Locate and secure all needed packing materials. (1) At least two suitable heavy duty boxes [an inner box and an outer box], (2) Large size bubble wrap (1/2 inch bubble height), (3) two-inch wide HEAVY DUTY packing tape, (4) dense sheet foam [Home Depot, etc. one inch insulation sheets work great.] This is NOT the place to skimp on costs. The packing materials will be far less costly than a damaged unit.

3. Place equipment in plastic bag or other suitable plastic cover to protect it from packing materials and moisture. Same with any extra small items, manual, accessories, etc. Remember, the vibration of a long haul truck can completely wear the paint off a surface rubbing against packing materials such as cardboard.

4. Using bubble wrap, secure loose cables and plugs so they do not contact the equipment and scratch or ding the surfaces. Then, TIGHTLY wrap the equipment in at least five layers of large size bubble wrap. The more the better. This is to avoid VIBRATION and SHOCK damage.

5. Place item(s) in suitable size “inner” cardboard box, one that snuggly fits the bubble wrapped the item(s . Fill any remaining spaces in the box with additional bubble wrap material so the items fit TIGHTLY in the box. Leave nothing loose in the box. If you are shipping more than one item in the box BE SURE they are wrapped so they cannot bang against each other. Put the heavier bubble wrapped items on the bottom of the box and separate them from the lighter top items with a sheet of cardboard material.

6. DO NOT USE NEWSPAPER, WADDED PLASTIC OR ANYTHING NOT DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE. DO NOT use Styrofoam “peanuts”; they will be pounded to dust.

7. Seal each box carefully. Double tape everything. The better it is sealed, the better it will absorb the shock of being dropped.

8. Next, cut the one-inch dense foam sheeting into suitable sizes to allow you to fill the space between the smaller inner box and the larger outer box, on all six surfaces. The purpose of the foam is to isolate the inner box from the sudden shock of being dropped when in transit. The spaces between the two boxes should be completely filled and the smaller box should not be able to move within the confines of the large box. The inner "first" box(es) MUST be securely held in place so it will not shift when you shake the package. Leave nothing loose in the box!

9. Seal the larger outer box with packing tape then over the top and bottom "lids" again. Double tape everything.

10. IMPORTANT: place on each surface, except the bottom, stickers or signs indicating that the contents of the package are FRAGILE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT and DO NOT DROP. If you fail to do this, your package MIGHT BE HANDLED AS IF IT WERE A BOX OF ROCKS! Also, the existence of these signs will go a long way towards getting a fair settlement if the is any damage caused by the shipper! Why? Because you have told the shipper the equipment was fragile and they should handle it accordingly.

11. Place address label on top of package, completely taping over with clear packing tape. Using UP ARROWS, clearly indicate which end should be up at all times. Be sure to insure the package as noted above. Also include our email address (K4ICL@K4ICL.com) in the shipping paperwork to be sure we receive reports of the progress of the shipment.

12. SHIP THE PACKAGE USING FEDEX. DO NOT SHIP USING UPS or USPS, no matter how convenient it is to do so. You can call FedEX at 800-238-5355 and arrange for FedEx to pick up your package when you have it ready to ship. IMPORTANT: Immediately after shipping, email the tracking number to K4ICL@K4ICL.com so we can make arrangement to be available to sign for the package when it arrives.

K4ICL packing instructions

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:16 pm
by N8ERM
I use these as my Bible for packing. They are well thought out and work great. Thanks Al.

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:46 pm
by lhk0pd
More than once i've lost money after making a shipping quote because of spending extra money to buy needed supplies to make sure the item i'm shipping has the best possible chance of survival. The pictures shown by Martyn ought to make any ham sick to look at and those who shipped them with improper packing ashamed. I spent 15 years as a package delivery man and i can guarantee you most drivers take enough pride in there work standards to do there best to not allow damage but there is always that one. All carrier companies work pretty much identicle by the way.

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:52 pm
by NR9R
Can someone please post Mr. Leathers' callsign?

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:08 pm
by K4TEC
LARRY LEATHERS

NS7Z