Why I wouldn't ship a bowling ball UPS
 

I stopped using UPS about 18-20 years ago after I had to make claims on a cross ram set up that was almost completely destroyed and on a pristine dash pad that came back almost broken in two.

Both were packaged well. The cross ram was double boxed in computer boxes, with 2 inches of solid styrofoam in between all sides of the two boxes. It was supposed to go to Australia. UPS to San Diego and then DHL to down under. DHL refused the shipment. When I got it back it wasn't even in the same boxes. They had it separated into two other boxes. Primary throttle shafts were both bent, both choke horns were caved in, and the lid to the cross ram was broken. Both claims were eventually paid, but it took forever. I have since learned that UPS has gone to a third party adjuster and that claims are even harder to get approved. Don't know, as I haven't used them since.

Anyway, bought some parts from a fellow in CA who shipped them to me UPS. Here is what the box looked like coming off the truck. Now, granted, this wasn't the best packing job in history, but there was enough tape to keep it together if it isn't used as a soccer ball. One lower corner is blown clear out. That is a spark plug wire and the gear from the end of the distributor sticking out. Mind you, I had not opened the box at this point. This is just how it came into the office.

Amazingly, looks like all the parts survived. I swear, these guys could tear up a steel ball with a powder puff and a pair of tweezers.

Trying to rotate them. Always have problems when imported to my computer from my cell phone.

It looks like amazon package the parts? A lot of these boxes are thin too.

It was a used Amazon box. Amazon was not involved.

I re-use boxes regularly. Of course, I have no way to know how bad of shape this box was in when it was sent.

Still, the level of destruction is just unacceptable.

I have had trouble with all of them. The more you ship the more likely you will have issues. The harder the shipping system is pressed the more likely you will have issues. (COVID-19 and people ordering everything on line)

If the parts are super rare then don’t be cheap and Double box them and insure the shipment. Shipments that are insured get flagged in the system and are also flagged for handling.

But things still happen. UPS lost a big deposit check I had shipped Next Day Air and the sale nearly collapsed because of the problem. I stopped payment and reissued the check to only to have UPS find it under a conveyor that broke and despite the tracking number being flagged they delivered it to the point of sale a full 8 weeks after it went missing.

Delivered by this guy?


https://tenor.com/view/delivery-jim-...x-gif-15666629