PSA: Since starting out in this field of work, I have seen many damaged parts and broken pieces due to shipping. It is very important that your parts are properly protected before you ship. Take the extra time to brace your boxes, especially if they are long trim pieces. Even if you think your box is indestructible, you still need insurance. Here is a good example of why: 1960 Cadillac 2 door quarter spears...worth about $1500 a pair. These were in a very strong tube that is typically used to ship high end fishing rods. It is about 1/4" thick. It must have taken a huge hit during shipping, because this would be a difficult thing to try to bend... These can be repaired, but will never be the same. So, moral of the story - even if you think it is impossible for your trim to be damaged with your indestructible package, you MUST consider insuring it. Especially for high dollar parts. UPS and FedEx will insure up to $1000 without 3rd party insurance. Use it.
A lot of guys who work for the shipping companies seem to go out of their way to damage stuff sometimes. I shipped a tool chest from Florida to California in its original box. The guy puts it on the front porch upside down. It had arrows on all sides saying "This side up". I had to body work just to it to get it open. Good thing I shipped it empty! Delivery boy's attitude- "If there's damage, just file a claim!" Good advice, in any event!
The guys around here seem to take it as a personal challenge to damage everything they can. The most recent thing that was damaged was packaged by the shipping company themselves. Huge box suffed full of those pink and yellow foam peanuts. I have to give them credit, it was well packed however they still managed to break it in shipping. Final insult is they would not honor the insurance.
Another note on damage. If you or the recipient receives damaged item(s), then you MUST get photos of the entire package inside and out as it was received. This is imperative for the insurance to even consider paying out.
PVC pipe might have prevented that damage. I used it to ship some NOS door edge guards which arrived in perfect condition. Cardboard can and will get broken, regardless of thickness. Take it from someone who has seen trucking LTL operations at work.
I am currently in negotiations with Greyhound. I purchased a 1972 Electra front bumper complete. They lost it. How in the world do you lose an eighty four pound seventy six in long piece of chrome plated steel? I have zero idea. They have until the first week of May to find it, which is what I would prefer. They will not budge until then. As of this moment, I cannot recommend Greyhound for their Express Delivery. I guess we shall see if they "find" it...
UPS is the worst in my opinion. They will turn your claim down everytime and you have to go to extremes to prove they did wrong and then they will probably still deny your claim ... LOSERS in my book. They will never see another dime of my money as long as I live. Keith
I use solid ridged schedule 35 drainage pipe. Either 3-inch or 4-inch as the job calls for. It has a 3,500 pound crush rating and is still light as well. Schedule 40 water pipe as mentioned above weighs a ton / foot and will crack upon impact. Schedule 35 will not. This is the proper rated construction pipe that is laid under driveways and roads for subterranean drainage. Not to be confused with that thin walled white drainage pipe sold at homydepot or by your friendly hardware man. You can get it at contractor drainage supply jobbers.
