How to properly pack and ship your unit — so it arrives safe, and comes home safe.
My one and only concern is the careful packing of your unit. Think you can just get money from the insurance if your unit is damaged? You’d be lucky to get anything at all if your package is lost. And if it’s damaged but insured, they’ll give you such a run-around that you’ll pull your hair out and forget about it. Best to pack it right, so there’s no need for insurance in the first place.
Best to pack it right.
You’ll need a box that allows at least 1" of extra room at the front, rear, and bottom of the unit. The top and both sides only need ½" of foam or packing — though more is always better; it all depends on the size of the box you choose.
The box can be single-wall, but it must have a crush-test rating of at least 75 lbs. A 200 lb rating or a double-walled box is always best if you can find one. A common size that works well for most VHS and DVD/VHS combo units is either 20×14×6 or 20×18×6. Just remember: the larger the box, the higher the shipping cost.
You can use kraft paper, but remember the unit has some weight, and during transit the paper will crush — letting the machine move around inside the box, which then damages it. Better to use large bubble wrap or some type of foam.
Air bags don’t work well — the corners of the machine will burst them, and then your unit is damaged, guaranteed. Don’t use air bags unless they’re tubular and thick.
If you do use kraft paper, you have to seriously over-stuff the box, paying special attention to all four corners — the corners of the unit are the most common area to get damaged.
This takes some time, but it’s well worth it. Head down to Lowe’s or Home Depot — they’ll have boxes, and while you’re there, pick up a 4' × 8' sheet of exterior sheathing. It’s white styrofoam, 1" thick, with a thin aluminum film on one side and white plastic (with writing) on the other. It runs about $30 a sheet and is light as a feather — it’s the stuff you see on the outside of homes being built. There are other types and colors of sheathing, but they’re too stiff and won’t absorb impacts like the sheet I’m describing.
You can cut the sheet down to fit in your back seat — after you buy it, that is. The best tool for it is the Stanley Xtreme Snap-off Knife (about $15 there), and I always use mine with the blade fully extended. It cuts this stuff the best, period.
Line the bottom of the box with two inches of this styrofoam, and use one inch on the sides and top.
Cut holes in the bottom styrofoam for the feet — or just remove the feet altogether. If the box gets shoulder-dropped by UPS (and it’s what they do), the feet can be shoved so far up inside your unit that it’s permanently damaged. Ask me how I know…
Don’t need the feet along? Leave them home — I’ve got plenty here I use for this very purpose.
Before you close it, shake the box gently — the unit must not move around inside. If it shifts at all, add more packing.
Tape the box closed in an H pattern on both ends — cover every seam — and make sure to tape the bottom of the box too. Use three strips of tape across the seam on both the top and the bottom. And if the bottom of the box is already taped from the factory? Tape it again — three strips.
Best to pack it well!
As for carrier, it’s always best to use UPS. The mail (USPS) keeps getting more expensive — not to mention it’s the slowest service these days. If you do use USPS, don’t fall for their ‘extras’ — tracking, special handling, and so on. If you want insurance, use UPS: regular UPS Ground comes with $100 of coverage at no extra cost.
I recommend ShipStation. You’ll have to sign up, but they don’t require a credit or debit card. It’s free for 30 days, so just cancel after you ship — or, if you ship a bit each month, keep it for $10 a month. Heck, you’ll save that much every time you ship, and I kid you not. Once you create and print the label, tape it to the outside of the box and drop it off at any Pack-n-Ship, CVS, or UPS drop-off location. They can’t charge you extra just because you used your own pre-paid label. Ask for the manager — or blow them a raspberry and go somewhere else.
I don’t make a dime from this referral — I’m just trying to save you some hard-earned cash.
Fill out our quick request form, ship your unit in, and we’ll take it from there!
Click HERE to Request Service