Packages are handled by the hundreds of thousands, mostly by automatic machinery that doesn't read "Fragile" stickers and moves fast, or by workers who are hustling to stack boxes as quickly as possible. Maybe the final person who makes the door delivery of your package is a caring, gentle soul, but you certainly can't count on such treatment during the whole voyage.
MAKE IT BOMBPROOF! Although it's easy for us to fantasize about unhappy handlers deliberately trying to break something _because_ it's marked "Fragile", I think the greater danger is the normal hurley-burley of the normal Rush-and-Crush of transport. Note that all our tales of woe describe inadequate packing and, in contrast, our stories of typers arriving safely with only a few peanuts and a thin cardboard box are always told with amazement. Good Luck! == Michael Höhne
Please make it BOMBPROOF. Although I have no personal experience with packaging gone bad, when Ton sent me the Royal QDL, despite the fact that he packed it with copious amounts of bubblewrap and packing peanuts, the ribbon cover was popped open and the ribbon strewn somewhat about.
I have gotten typewriters from California wrapped in nothing but shrink wrap around the case (Adler J4 plastic machine and cheap plastic case) and as a testimony to U.P.S. it arrived on my desk without as much as a scuff on the wrap. That is an exception like the radio gear from the U.K packed in nothing but bubble wrap (Royal Mail and the U.S.P.S.) and a few Skyriters and an Olympia B12 in only a cardboard box big enough for the machine to fit. All arrived fine, B U T I still ship my machines as bullet proof as I possibly can and I ask others to do the same with machines I buy.
Packages are now mostly handled by automated sorting systems and they are only handled by a person at the point of pick-up and the point of delivery.
Congratulations on the Halda. If only one could be found for that price in the U.S.
When I sent a Studio 42 to Ton, I secured the case in the box with air bags and a styropor shell - and it arrived safely. I couldn't have slept well if I just put the machine in the box and sent it its way.
I agree with the bombproof crowd. I've had poorly packed typewriters arrive in perfect condition in ruins. I've had a couple of bombproof boxes damaged, but they had obviously been seriously mistreated. More bombproof packaged machines arrive intact than not.
I paid way too much in shipping to get the anniversary Remington 8 to me in one piece. The seller was obviously an idiot and I do not regret paying for the many pounds of cellular foam he loaded into an oversize box.
NAKED TYPEWRITER Australian eBay sellers are increasingly listing typewriters as "pick-up only", and as this is a vast country I assume I am not the only buyer increasingly using couriers to pick up. Since my switch to more than 90 per cent courier and less than 10 per cent Australia Post about 2 1/2 years ago, damage in transit has dropped to almost zero. Early on, after one bad courier experience with a badly packed Underwood 5, I have insisted that sellers do not conceal portable typewriters in boxes, but leave them in their cases, with protection around the typewriter inside the case and some tape around the case to ensure it doesn't pop up in transit. I argue that when the driver can see what the item is, he or she takes all due care of it and handles it properly, and does not drop it. I have found this to be enormously successful and after probably 150 or more courier-delivered typewriters, have not had one instance of damage in transit. I still receive damaged-in-transit typewriters, sometimes when seemingly well packed, but only when shipped by post, never by courier.
Props to the Halda! It's got a bit of a Royal QDL look about it with the green keys/beige body combo and the curves of bonnet (ribbon cover) don't you think? That's a great question posted in your post too and it makes me want to interview a whole bunch of courier drivers and postal workers and investigate the factors affecting their likeliness to throw a package!
Just going through your blog with Swedish typewriters on my mind (As I had a found a good deal on a Facit TP1 though not as good as yours!) , and well, this beats my $3 Hermes 3000 for value! (What I considered to be one of my best deals) Even with the cost of getting it to you. I'm really surprised this didn't get more attention. It may not be a known name, but it looks beautiful and the similar Royals seem to go for way too much. (They've all gone into the $60s here....)
MAKE IT BOMB-PROOF! Easy choice.
ReplyDeletePackages are handled by the hundreds of thousands, mostly by automatic machinery that doesn't read "Fragile" stickers and moves fast, or by workers who are hustling to stack boxes as quickly as possible. Maybe the final person who makes the door delivery of your package is a caring, gentle soul, but you certainly can't count on such treatment during the whole voyage.
MAKE IT BOMBPROOF! Although it's easy for us to fantasize about unhappy handlers deliberately trying to break something _because_ it's marked "Fragile", I think the greater danger is the normal hurley-burley of the normal Rush-and-Crush of transport. Note that all our tales of woe describe inadequate packing and, in contrast, our stories of typers arriving safely with only a few peanuts and a thin cardboard box are always told with amazement. Good Luck!
ReplyDelete== Michael Höhne
Please make it BOMBPROOF. Although I have no personal experience with packaging gone bad, when Ton sent me the Royal QDL, despite the fact that he packed it with copious amounts of bubblewrap and packing peanuts, the ribbon cover was popped open and the ribbon strewn somewhat about.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Bombproof, and you know why I vote that way. :P
ReplyDeleteAlso, very nice deal on the Halda! My highest hopes that it arrives at your doorstep safely (:
I'm with Richard: BOMBPROOF.
ReplyDeleteI have gotten typewriters from California wrapped in nothing but shrink wrap around the case (Adler J4 plastic machine and cheap plastic case) and as a testimony to U.P.S. it arrived on my desk without as much as a scuff on the wrap. That is an exception like the radio gear from the U.K packed in nothing but bubble wrap (Royal Mail and the U.S.P.S.) and a few Skyriters and an Olympia B12 in only a cardboard box big enough for the machine to fit. All arrived fine, B U T I still ship my machines as bullet proof as I possibly can and I ask others to do the same with machines I buy.
Packages are now mostly handled by automated sorting systems and they are only handled by a person at the point of pick-up and the point of delivery.
Congratulations on the Halda. If only one could be found for that price in the U.S.
Bomb-proof.
ReplyDeleteWhen I sent a Studio 42 to Ton, I secured the case in the box with air bags and a styropor shell - and it arrived safely. I couldn't have slept well if I just put the machine in the box and sent it its way.
I agree with the bombproof crowd. I've had poorly packed typewriters arrive in perfect condition in ruins. I've had a couple of bombproof boxes damaged, but they had obviously been seriously mistreated. More bombproof packaged machines arrive intact than not.
ReplyDeleteI paid way too much in shipping to get the anniversary Remington 8 to me in one piece. The seller was obviously an idiot and I do not regret paying for the many pounds of cellular foam he loaded into an oversize box.
Bomb-proof all the way. I don't think the issue is due to compensation, or even apathy on behalf of the handlers.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't ship typewriters, I'll go for BOMB-PROOF. Just to be sure.
ReplyDeleteNAKED TYPEWRITER
ReplyDeleteAustralian eBay sellers are increasingly listing typewriters as "pick-up only", and as this is a vast country I assume I am not the only buyer increasingly using couriers to pick up. Since my switch to more than 90 per cent courier and less than 10 per cent Australia Post about 2 1/2 years ago, damage in transit has dropped to almost zero. Early on, after one bad courier experience with a badly packed Underwood 5, I have insisted that sellers do not conceal portable typewriters in boxes, but leave them in their cases, with protection around the typewriter inside the case and some tape around the case to ensure it doesn't pop up in transit. I argue that when the driver can see what the item is, he or she takes all due care of it and handles it properly, and does not drop it. I have found this to be enormously successful and after probably 150 or more courier-delivered typewriters, have not had one instance of damage in transit. I still receive damaged-in-transit typewriters, sometimes when seemingly well packed, but only when shipped by post, never by courier.
Props to the Halda! It's got a bit of a Royal QDL look about it with the green keys/beige body combo and the curves of bonnet (ribbon cover) don't you think? That's a great question posted in your post too and it makes me want to interview a whole bunch of courier drivers and postal workers and investigate the factors affecting their likeliness to throw a package!
ReplyDeleteJust going through your blog with Swedish typewriters on my mind (As I had a found a good deal on a Facit TP1 though not as good as yours!) , and well, this beats my $3 Hermes 3000 for value! (What I considered to be one of my best deals) Even with the cost of getting it to you. I'm really surprised this didn't get more attention. It may not be a known name, but it looks beautiful and the similar Royals seem to go for way too much. (They've all gone into the $60s here....)
ReplyDelete