People don't know how to pack amps anymore, be careful...

[EXPcustom]

Three out of the last three amps I got from private sellers were packed poorly and had damage from shipping. Manufacturers of course have this down.

I know the price of shipping and even packing materials has gone up but if you are buying anything super rare or not easily replaced from a private seller make sure to have a discussion of how they pack their amps and be willing to pay more to have it professionally packed if you have a bad feeling.

Putting an amp in a box and throwing a hand full of peanuts so the amp can still bounce around does not count as a good packing job. Happened with amp #1. Got partial refund

Rack mounted power amp was placed in a box with a thin layer of single bubblewrap around it. Power amp showed up with tears in the actual sheet metal chassis especially by the ears. There was nothing abosrbing or padding the amp from being dropped or thrown. This was amp #2 got full refund becuase amp was pretty much destroyed.

Another amp showed up loose in the box, seller told me he "triple boxed it". All he did was put the amp in a box with no padding so it could slide around and put that box in another box like a condom, there was no packing material or anything between the boxes. Then on the ends of the box he put one more thin layer of cardboard so to him it was triple boxed. Amps showed up with bent transformers and dented chassis. got partial refund.

So seriously folks please verify how an amp will be sent before you commit to the deal and don't be cheap, pay an extra 100-200 if you need to get it professionally packed. A fully loaded IIC+ or a 68 plexi in original purple tolex can't replace themselves.

 

[napalmdeath]

It certainly happens, but if I get a clown instructing me on how to pack a piece of gear, I get somewhat offended. I'd say your first course of action, is dealing with somebody with a stellar reputation. I think that's where it starts.

If I sell an item on reverb, (with 86 5-star transactions, preferred seller, quick responder and quick shipping, typically 24 hours or even same day, as stated on my store), Ebay, (with over 100 5-star transactions), TGP, (with almost 50 5-star transactions), or even here, (with multiple kudos in the good seller thread, one of which states, "Napalmdeath packs like a beast"), the last thing I need is some clown giving me a tutorial on how to pack an amp).

I get what you're saying, but, ultimately, common sense is where it starts and stops. I had one amp get damaged that I shipped. It was packed extremely well, but it was obviously handled by gorillas that must have played kickball with it. And, to your point, I wouldn't blame a bent transformer on a poor packing job. I've gotten both a new Friedman and Bogner Helios with bent transformers from Sweetwater. That's typically from a carrier dropping it from a 5-story building.

"Have a discussion" about how to ship a package is pretty silly. I never have, and not about to start. It's a roll of the dice, and you just have to accept it.

 

[slyym]

I got my Mk V 25 in a box and thats it. No foam, no bubbles, no nothing. The box fit the amp perfectly so that what he put it in. Guess I got pretty lucky that it wasn't damaged. It wasn't even insured. I swear people these days a just fuckin stupid. And cheap as fuck too. I have absolutely no problem paying $20 or $30 out of my own pocket for packing material and to make sure I do everything I can to make sure nothing gets damaged. Oh well what can you do.

 

[EXPcustom]

It certainly happens, but if I get a clown instructing me on how to pack a piece of gear, I get somewhat offended. I'd say your first course of action, is dealing with somebody with a stellar reputation. I think that's where it starts.

If I sell an item on reverb, (with 86 5-star transactions, preferred seller, quick responder and quick shipping, typically 24 hours or even same day, as stated on my store), Ebay, (with over 100 5-star transactions), TGP, (with almost 50 5-star transactions), or even here, (with multiple kudos in the good seller thread, one of which states, "Napalmdeath packs like a beast"), the last thing I need is some clown giving me a tutorial on how to pack an amp).

I get what you're saying, but, ultimately, common sense is where it starts and stops. I had one amp get damaged that I shipped. It was packed extremely well, but it was obviously handled by gorillas that must have played kickball with it. And, to your point, I wouldn't blame a bent transformer on a poor packing job. I've gotten both a new Friedman and Bogner Helios with bent transformers from Sweetwater. That's typically from a carrier dropping it from a 5-story building.

"Have a discussion" about how to ship a package is pretty silly. I never have, and not about to start. It's a roll of the dice, and you just have to accept it.

All three sellers had 100% feedback or 5 star Reverb rating but you know what?... you're right, fuck it, why ask? They may get offended , Just roll the dice, who cares everything will be fine, that rare purple tolex Marshall from the 60's will be replaced easily.

 

[kurtsstuff2003]

I'm surprised that a VHT 2150 I purchased recently even made it..Was packed in a box that the amp barely fit into with no padding etc whatsoever. The seller might as well have just thrown an address label on the amp itself..

 

[slyym]

I bought Reza's effect rack switcher setup a long time ago and he just through it in a box with no kind of packing foam or anything also. The box was also like twice as big too. I couldn't believe it. You would think someone like him wouldn't do something like that but nope, these people are everywhere.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I wouldn't be offended in the slightest if someone asked me to be careful on how I pack when purchasing from me. I always ask private sellers to pack it well and insure for the full value when I'm buying from dudes on here, and all have been cool without scoffing. I also always request FedEx when buying, and most guys have been accommodating without hesitation.

I pack my gear going out to people so that it could survive the apocalypse, but if someone wants to quiz me on how I'm gonna ship that's cool.

Every amp that I've received from private sellers has been packed REALLY REALLY well I've been lucky I guess; and thankful!

 

[Racerxrated]

I always try to save a good box or two from my purchases to re-use down the road if I need them. I've been lucky with just a few bad experiences over the past 10 yrs, most guys know what they're doing. Especially here on RT.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I bought Reza's effect rack switcher setup a long time ago and he just through it in a box with no kind of packing foam or anything also. The box was also like twice as big too. I couldn't believe it. You would think someone like him wouldn't do something like that but nope, these people are everywhere.

Stupid is as stupid does huh.

 

[fek]

I have had a few situations like this. Luckily, nothing major was destroyed.

I over pack the F out of everything I ship. Might take a while to unbox the goods, but you will know that it is as safe as it can be after it has left the shipping gorillas.

 

[EXPcustom]

I wouldn't be offended in the slightest if someone asked me to be careful on how I pack when purchasing from me. I always ask private sellers to pack it well and insure for the full value when I'm buying from dudes on here, and all have been cool without scoffing. I also always request FedEx when buying, and most guys have been accommodating without hesitation.

I pack my gear going out to people so that it could survive the apocalypse, but if someone wants to quiz me on how I'm gonna ship that's cool.

Every amp that I've received from private sellers has been packed REALLY REALLY well I've been lucky I guess; and thankful!

I mean certain people here are just buying and selling such high end gear in the high dollar value range that I can see them getting insulted for asking such a condescending and petty question.

In all seriousness I mean it just take an extra message or two to clarify how the item will be packed and it really doesn't cost anything just piece of mind.

 

[EXPcustom]

I always try to save a good box or two from my purchases to re-use down the road if I need them. I've been lucky with just a few bad experiences over the past 10 yrs, most guys know what they're doing. Especially here on RT.

Yes recycling boxes from well packed amps saves me and others tons of money. The best are the Marshall or Bogner and I think Henning does it as well. You know the corner form fitted foam which keeps the amp from touching the outside box. This is how shockwaves can be transferred into the amp and cause damage.

 

[RedB4Black]

Manufacturers of course have this down.

I don't find this to be the case at all - at least with some manufacturers. 4 big foam corner pieces on both the top and bottom is not enough - like my Wizards, Friedman, Bogner & Diezel to name a few. While it may work most of the time, I personally wouldn't ship an amp that I sold out with just that. I wouldn't be comfortable. Mesa does a decent job of cocooning the amp with the expandable foam, but their method is haphazard at best and there are thin spots and exposed areas. Splawn does a nice job double boxing with Styrofoam sheets too. No manufacturer wedges a piece of hard foam or cardboard between the top of the transformers and the headshell to add stability and prevent the legs from bending them from arriving crooked. To me that's a pretty simple thing to do.

I just shipped my JP2C out yesterday with significantly more packing material & added multiple layers cardboard to line the box walls and provided added support to the box. People just need to pack the amp with the assumption it's going to be tossed around and dropped 10 feet. Do that and it'll be good.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

^^^
I agree with this. I received my EVH 412 new, and all they had in that oversized box was 4 paperboard corner protectors. It came UPS and was beat to hell with holes in the sides of the box. Luckily the cab was undamaged. I received amps new from the manufacturer packed in similar shitty fashion.

I use so much extra packing material its f!@king ridiculous really, but I'm ocd By the time I get done, I'm confident they could play f!@cking kickball with the box and the gear would be fine.

 

[napalmdeath]

It certainly happens, but if I get a clown instructing me on how to pack a piece of gear, I get somewhat offended. I'd say your first course of action, is dealing with somebody with a stellar reputation. I think that's where it starts.

If I sell an item on reverb, (with 86 5-star transactions, preferred seller, quick responder and quick shipping, typically 24 hours or even same day, as stated on my store), Ebay, (with over 100 5-star transactions), TGP, (with almost 50 5-star transactions), or even here, (with multiple kudos in the good seller thread, one of which states, "Napalmdeath packs like a beast"), the last thing I need is some clown giving me a tutorial on how to pack an amp).

I get what you're saying, but, ultimately, common sense is where it starts and stops. I had one amp get damaged that I shipped. It was packed extremely well, but it was obviously handled by gorillas that must have played kickball with it. And, to your point, I wouldn't blame a bent transformer on a poor packing job. I've gotten both a new Friedman and Bogner Helios with bent transformers from Sweetwater. That's typically from a carrier dropping it from a 5-story building.

"Have a discussion" about how to ship a package is pretty silly. I never have, and not about to start. It's a roll of the dice, and you just have to accept it.

All three sellers had 100% feedback or 5 star Reverb rating but you know what?... you're right, fuck it, why ask? They may get offended , Just roll the dice, who cares everything will be fine, that rare purple tolex Marshall from the 60's will be replaced easily.

Of course there's cause for concern for rare, valuable items, I wouldn't suggest not worrying. I still do.. Just about every time. But, I don't give lessons on how to pack, either. If I get a package that's packed half-assed, you better believe there's a discussion, at that point!

I'm mostly saying, most people here know better. You just come off like a mother hen, when it's probably common sense to most of us.

 

[tripstan]

I got my Mk V 25 in a box and thats it. No foam, no bubbles, no nothing. The box fit the amp perfectly so that what he put it in. Guess I got pretty lucky that it wasn't damaged. It wasn't even insured. I swear people these days a just fuckin stupid. And cheap as fuck too. I have absolutely no problem paying $20 or $30 out of my own pocket for packing material and to make sure I do everything I can to make sure nothing gets damaged. Oh well what can you do.

I bought $2K amp from a professional player in LA that did this. You'd think a guy with a YouTube presence would know better but. . . There was some Styrofoam on the bottom and top but nothing protecting the front, back or sides. I was surprised that it came undamaged, not a mark on the box. But it was also USPS which def handles their packages with a lot more care the UPS or FedEx. EVERY package from the other guys looks like it's been dropped on it's corner at least once. I've been using USPS lately and I've had no complaints. I always ask how it will be packaged and shipped before I buy anything big or heavy.

 

[slyym]

I always try to save a good box or two from my purchases to re-use down the road if I need them. I've been lucky with just a few bad experiences over the past 10 yrs, most guys know what they're doing. Especially here on RT.

Yes recycling boxes from well packed amps saves me and others tons of money. The best are the Marshall or Bogner and I think Henning does it as well. You know the corner form fitted foam which keeps the amp from touching the outside box. This is how shockwaves can be transferred into the amp and cause damage.

I have a closet full of various sized boxes from shit I've bought and always have the perfect box when I need to ship something. Never throw away a box, you never know!

 

[marshall2553]

Even the manufacturers screw this up. I bought a new Marshall 1936 cab recently. The dealer shipped it in the original packaging which was a single box that perfectly fit the cab. No padding or foam whatsoever. First one predictably arrived damaged, the second one luckily arrived safe and sound. As many amps and cabs as Marshall ships around the world you'd think they'd know to pack them better.

And I've pretty much given up on buying used amps from individuals because of this. I've received a few that were just thrown in a box with some peanuts, but they miraculously survived.

 

[D-Rock]

"Have a discussion" Geez sounds like my ex wife lol!

 

[Whowantsamustache]

I’m pretty sure if you tell the seller how you want the amp to be packed, especially some random dude on Reverb, I very much doubt they will come through and I agree they will be offended and probably pack it shittier just to rub it in.

It’s like complaining about your food at a restaurant or fast food joint. The food will come back tainted and you will probably get violently ill..

As far as Reza not doing a good packing job, that wouldn’t surprise me one bit. I would have been so pissed off, as he claims to be an expert on everything and then does a half assed packing job. What a joke.

Roll that dice.