shipping?

[ITIS]

usually i don't ship much over a $1000 so i use fed ex

but today i am planing to ship $12,000 whole sale worth of pipes does any one know a way to insure glass of this value either through a third party insurer or a shipping company that will insure glass of that value ?

thanks guys

[Kool]

Don't send it FedEx. If it's glass (period) they don't want to pay for any losses. Even if it isn't destroyed, but simply lost, they will point to their written policy and state that they don't cover glass. They lost a package of mine once and it took a long time to get them to pay me. I think the woman finally did it just to get rid of me...and I seem to remember I couldn't get full value, either.

So I asked UPS about their policy. Their main concern is that the items are packaged within their guidelines for fragile stuff. I also remember that I couldn't find anything in their written policy about excluding glass the way FedEx does. I don't ship anymore, but I used to use UPS for large packages like that and pay them for the insurance. It's been a while, though, things may have changed since I've shipped stuff.

[barefoot stash]

UPS will insure up to $50,000 in the US. I would double box and make sure you pack it well. I have filed a claim with UPS before for a lost box. They paid with little hassle.

[Johan]

Let me clear some things up about FedEx for you. It depends what company your dealing with(Fedex ground, express, freight, etc.) Their policys are all different.

I know ground won't deal with certain glass. i work for Express and know for a fact that we insure and ship all types of glass products.

ITIS...try FedEx Freight. It might be costly but they can insure it and give it its own pallet and maybe its own container. When dealing with expensive shipments with fedex I think it's always best to talk to a senior manager either at Express or Freight (not Ground) and a deal can always be worked out. Forget talking to a salesman or even a Kinko's staff person.

If you need a phone number for an actual shipping facility near you PM me and i'll ask my Manager.

[Mecha]

UPS requires double boxing for fragile items. Also, write the address on the box under the label just in case the label falls off.

[Kool]

...ITIS...try FedEx Freight. It might be costly but they can insure it and give it its own pallet and maybe its own container...

I copied the following italics from the FedEx Freight Tariff, listed under Prohibited Items:

"38. Glassware, including, but not limited to, signs, mirrors, ceramics, porcelains, china, crystal, glass, framed glass and any other commodity with similarly fragile qualities....
...we are not liable for delay of, loss of or damage to a shipment of any prohibited item" (source link) (http://fedexfreight.fedex.com/fxfrulestariff.jsp?as_rules=prohibited_articles.ht m&link=4)

The same policy is what caused my problem with FedEx Ground. As far as Express is concerned, I did not know, so I checked. This is what I found in the Express U.S. Terms and Conditions (a little better than Freight and Ground, but not $12,000 worth of insurance better).

"Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000:....

1. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector's items.....
5. Glassware, including, but not limited to, signs, mirrors, ceramics, porcelains, china, crystal, glass, framed glass, and any other commodity with similarly fragile qualities." (source link) (http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/us.html?link=4)

Other than that, I used to LOVE FedEx and used them all the time. But when it comes to glass and artwork, they are not the best company to use.

[Big Jay]

UPS requires double boxing for fragile items.

I was recently told by UPS that double boxing isn't needed. But you must have 2" 's of packaging material between the glass and the box sides. If you don't meet those 2" 's then you need to add a second box.

[Johan]

"Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000:....

1. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector's items.....
5. Glassware, including, but not limited to, signs, mirrors, ceramics, porcelains, china, crystal, glass, framed glass, and any other commodity with similarly fragile qualities." (source link) (http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/us.html?link=4)

.



That sucks. I didn't realize they set the insurance so low fow art work. I wonder what they would consider pipes to be. Artwork or Tobacco product?

Anyways...I'm gonna get you a phone number to an express building in your area and I'm very interested in hearing what he or she says. Honestly, I would be a little shocked if they were'nt willing to work out a deal. The way things are right now with the economy and fedex, they need all the business they can get.

[lucidvisions]

Be your own insurance policy, pack them very well, then double box them with a box 4" bigger than your inner box filling with peanuts. This allows for 2" of peanut padding around your inner box. We ship like this EVERY time and have not lost anything due to breakage in over two years. I personally would ship it UPS but I know some aren't as friendly with them as we are. Declare the value incase of a lost package. Getting a reimbursement from UPS can be a headache for breakage most times.

Josh

[Mecha]

I was recently told by UPS that double boxing isn't needed. But you must have 2" 's of packaging material between the glass and the box sides. If you don't meet those 2" 's then you need to add a second box.
It may be different now, but I clearly remember seeing a diagram which showed how to ship plates and glassware. It required each piece to be individually wrapped, placed in a box with space around it, then that box had to be placed in a box with packing material around it. Not to mention that every once in a while the lady at the counter would get a bug up her ass and open my box to see if I had it packed that way and would refuse to ship it if I didn't. This was at the UPS hub in Tucson, not one of the counters in staples or a ups store.

This is an excerpt from the UPS website (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/how_to2.html), this is in addition to the guidelines you mentioned. Scroll to the bottom.

Note: Fragile objects such as electronics, glass, ceramics, and artwork, require special packaging for safe shipment. Packages containing these and similar items may require added cushioning or a double (over) box.

I could not find the specific instruction which mandates a second box, but the above paragraph obviously suggests it. If shipping something of high value, it would probably be better to splurge an extra few bucks for an additional box just to cover all your bases. Giving any reason for denial of your claim pretty much guarantees that it will be rejected (especially with higher value fragile items). Don't give them any wiggle room.

[Greymatter Glass]

I've filed 2 claims for lost glass on FedEx ground and both have been paid promptly, but they were only for the $100 maximum - they didn't care that it was glass - I listed it as "art supplies" and they never asked for clarification.


I mainly use FedEx because they have the best rate after discounts (GAS + AmEx) and the fastest ground shipping times. If I start to have problems tho, I'll switch is UPS can compete.