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2. REMOVE OR PROTECT ANY PROTRUDING PARTS: For example, things like magneto handles and bakelite transmitter mouthpieces should be unscrewed (counterclockwise). Candlestick hookswitches should be protected by a cardboard tube or lots of firm padding. 3. WRAP AND PAD EACH PART SEPARATELY: Use several layers of large-bubble bubble wrap or other thick padding material. Bakelite and Princess phones should NEVER be padded with paper. Paper is a poor choice of padding material for phones, as it does not absorb shock well. Flat paper transmits most shock directly to the item. Crumpled paper is not strong enough to cushion heavy phones - it compresses when the item is dropped. Padding that traps air works best -- bubble wrap with one inch bubbles or thick foam seem best for phones. 4. TAPE THE PADDING AROUND EACH PART, so it won't come off during transit. Make sure all parts of items are protected, such as the ends of handsets and the sides of Princess phone bases. (Masking tape or other easily removable tape permits recycling of materials.) 5. TAPE ALL PARTS IN THE SHIPMENT TOGETHER, so they won't hit each other when the shipper throws the box around. (No need to "mummify" it. A few tape strips work fine.) 6. Use a LARGE, HIGH QUALITY, CORRUGATED shipping container. Allow several inches for padding on all six sides of the item! 7. FILL THE BOX FIRMLY WITH FIRM PADDING MATERIAL. UPS recommends several inches between the item and all six box sides for fragile items, in case the box is punctured. Styrofoam or other material can be used here. Large air filled padding is risky -- especially if made of relatively thin plastic. If even one or two sections are punctured, the item can bounce around inside the box. Please use bubble wrap instead. 8. SHAKE THE BOX VIGOROUSLY. If anything moves, ADD MORE PADDING! Put a copy of the shipping label with the destination and return addresses inside the box -- just in case. Then seal the box. If
shipping items of different
weights in one large box, put the lighter, more
fragile item in a
cardboard box
to protect it from the larger item. |
Unfortunately, phone cases will
crack
in shipping
if not well padded. Bakelite and Princess phones are
especially
vulnerable.
Many of the phones that arrive damaged arrive in UNDAMAGED
boxes!
Insurance only helps if the phone is
lost,
totally destroyed or properly packed. If there's minor
damage and
I file a claim, the phone usually goes to the carrier and ends
up in a
landfill. I prefer to preserve it as an interesting piece
of old
technology.
I'd really rather have the item intact, than an insurance claim
or
repair
problem. Also, if the carrier examines the box and packing
material
and find it wasn't packed to THEIR standards, they don't pay or
take a
year
to settle. FedEx uses the term "declared value" instead of
insurance
to help customers realize they aren't really getting broad
insurance
coverage
to protect them in all cases. Read the terms on their site
(www.fedex.com
).
I've sent and received thousands of phones
and
other fragile items. Dozens of other collectors with even
more
experience
have contributed to these guidelines. When the guidelines
above
were
followed, there has rarely been any damage whatsoever!
Even when
boxes
have arrived dented and bashed!
If you'd like to see more photos, please click here. I hope you don't get one in email, after the phone you ship arrives!
