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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! Jim recommends making padding "pillows" by filling plastic bags with styrofoam peanuts. This helps keep the mess under control, and they can be easily reused. |