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

[napalmdeath]

I'm not saying it's not ok to inquire, but I've dealt with some tan-pants jerkwads at TGP that LITERALLY gave me unsolicited, step by step how-to's on backing a box. To me, it's an alarm that says they might be a handful if it has a spec of lint on the item. Anal, nit-picky, ticky tack stuff.

 

[SpiderWars]

Wow, some people get way too easily offended. Whenever I sell anything I pack it well...and then worry like hell until I know it's been delivered whole. Because I know if it isn't I'll have to give a full refund and I'm not confident the carrier will cover it. You only have to do that once (max) to learn to pack well...and to understand why others want things packed well. Even if you pack it well, as mentioned you can still get bent transformers or EVs ripped from the baffle, etc. And if it was Reverb or Paypal...there will almost always be a refund (and no violent illness either).

 

[mooncobra]

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.

USPS!!! oh man, you have been lucky! they are horrible!! I received an amp via USPS one time, and NO JOKE, every tube was shattered, the head box was broken to pieces the transformers were bent so far you would not believe it. When you picked up the box, it sounded like loose silverware and broken glass. preposterous! the amp must have been dropped from high up, at least 20 or 25 feet to completely disintegrate like it did. I was blown away.

 

[white buffalo]

I'm always paranoid shipping amps, especially across borders (which is where they normally go). I've developed a close relationship with a local UPS Store where the owner spends a couple hours (!!!) with me meticulously carving out custom boxes and padding for amps each time I ship now. It costs me about $80 extra each time, but I'd honestly rather that and peace of mind. Everyone always remarks how incredibly well packaged the amps come. The plus is you can also keep the awesome packaging and reuse it should you ever sell the amp down the line.

 

[Mudder]

I let the shipper do his/her thing but ask for tubes pulled and packed securely. I know manufacturers ship with tubes in but I've had a lot of broken tubes from used sellers.

 

[napalmdeath]

I let the shipper do his/her thing but ask for tubes pulled and packed securely. I know manufacturers ship with tubes in but I've had a lot of broken tubes from used sellers.

I've shipped over 50 amps. Never pulled a tube, never had one break.

 

[Achilles]

I guess is just a matter of how much one respects their gear and how sensitive is about the whole subject.
Then, there's also what we call "common sense" which, from my experience, many people lacking unfortunately...

 

[thrashinbatman]

Once bought a 2x12 straight from the manufacturer, and they packed in right into a box, and then surrounded that box with two more boxes. The shippers straight up KICKED it as hard as they could, tearing through all 3 boxes and kicking the front grille into the cab. Had a lot of fun repairing it (I could have sent it back, but I had waited long enough and didn't feel like waiting at least one more week).

I always try to pack as best as I can. Worrying about shipping is why I try to sell locally as much as possible, except it hardly works out that way.

 

[scottosan]

I don't tell them how to back, but I have no hesitation in asking for detail packing plans before purchasing the item. If I don't like what I hear I don't buy. If I don't get an answer, i don't buy.


I got an ADA MP1 shipped in a box with no packing and I had no recourse. I guess the fact that the seller said he needed to sell quick becaused he was headed to jail should have been a red flag. What ultimately did it for me was buying off a forum member with "internet god" reputation ship me a Bogner amp with no packing material on 1 end. It arrived with a crack headshell and I got screwed trying to resolve the issue due to the persons internet following

 

[Achilles]

I guess the fact that the seller said he needed to sell quick becaused he was headed to jail should have been a red flag.

 

[Snave]

I've had very bad luck with amp sellers on Reverb for some reason. I've had to return far more amps than eBay because they're grossly misrepresented or packed horribly.

Here's some advice for anyone who sells amps: buy the double-wall "fragile" golf bag box from FedEx (15”x15”x48") and order a 75' roll of 1/2" bubble wrap from Office Depot for $20. This is the cheapest way to pack a Marshall-sized amp adequately.

If you ship rack gear or smaller Mark-sized amps, Amazon has boxes for that.

 

[sadistik42]

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.

I've bought gear from Reza and he always packs it bulletproof. He even includes a bag of candy like Sweetwater (I'm talking Charleston Chew or Reeses Pieces, not that generic shit).

 

[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.

I've bought gear from Reza and he always packs it bulletproof. He even includes a bag of candy like Sweetwater (I'm talking Charleston Chew or Reeses Pieces, not that generic shit).

Well well well, look who crawled out from under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Funny how you quote me when slyym was the one who had actual experience with your BF Reza. Quote:

“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.”

Nice try though. I knew you were somehow connected to Reza. You just reek of douche.

 

[sadistik42]

I didn't see your response until now because I was too busy playing my Bogner modded IIC++ SRHG long head.

Shouldn't you be stalking narad on SS.org or in the classifieds section?

 

[Whowantsamustache]

I didn't see your response until now because I was too busy playing my Bogner modded IIC++ SRHG long head.

Shouldn't you be stalking narad on SS.org or in the classifieds section?

Aren’t you special. Do they have Russian tubes in them? Why anyone would let bogner touch a Mesa iic++ is beyond me...must have got the blanket over speaker mod.

Nah narad is a joke. He thinks having a woman on an amp is tyranny, or something to that effect.

 

[Mailman1971]

Pure comedy gold!!

 

[slyym]

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.

I've bought gear from Reza and he always packs it bulletproof. He even includes a bag of candy like Sweetwater (I'm talking Charleston Chew or Reeses Pieces, not that generic shit).

Well well well, look who crawled out from under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Funny how you quote me when slyym was the one who had actual experience with your BF Reza. Quote:

“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.”

Nice try though. I knew you were somehow connected to Reza. You just reek of douche.

I kinda regret mentioning this. I'm sure if something damaged he would have taken care of it. I should have kept Reza's name out of it.

 

[Mailman1971]

I hate shipping Amps. Period.
But have shipped over 50. Always on eggshells.
If something goes bad. I eat the cost immediately.
Make it up with the bro that bought it.
Then I do the claim.
That’s how it’s handled folks. Don’t put the damage on the buyer.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

This was how I received about $600 in tubes... glass the breakable kind... from a well known dealer recently:

Note the 2 different kinds/colors of "USPS Mailing Tape" on the box. Looks like it was kicked, crushed, torn open then retaped closed by the friendly peeps at USPS. They are the worst carrier to use imhe... and I ship & receive a lot of stuff. And I hate packing peanuts. Really?!?

When shipping gear... do it right the first time... and there is no such thing as overkill when packing guitars and especially tube amps.



PS: Dan... when you get promoted to PM General... you need to do some regulation up in that sum-biatch.

 

[Mailman1971]

Call me a traitor.
But my last 4 Amps I shipped......
Fed ex.