Best way to ship camera equip safely to Adorama?

[DisgruntledVirus]

So I am selling used gear (in my sig) to Adorama, but am wondering if just bubble wrap/packing peanuts/paper in normal cardboard boxes is safe enough to ship via UPS to them. Thoughts?

 

[Throckmorton]

I don't know but packing peanuts are worthless. Objects just fall through them.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

So I am selling used gear (in my sig) to Adorama, but am wondering if just bubble wrap/packing peanuts/paper in normal cardboard boxes is safe enough to ship via UPS to them. Thoughts?

I always take the items to a UPS Store. I have my own box, but let them pack it. They have to inspect the packaging for anything insured over $1000 anyway, so if they pack it then it will be up to their standards. They do use packing peanuts and require a certain clearance between the items shipped and the outside of the box. I generally have my items in a smaller box inside the bigger box. They will do all the packing if you wish, but their box prices are a bit higher than I like. They charge very little for the packing peanuts and securing the box.

JR

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I always take the items to a UPS Store. I have my own box, but let them pack it. They have to inspect the packaging for anything insured over $1000 anyway, so if they pack it then it will be up to their standards. They do use packing peanuts and require a certain clearance between the items shipped and the outside of the box. I generally have my items in a smaller box inside the bigger box. They will do all the packing if you wish, but their box prices are a bit higher than I like. They charge very little for the packing peanuts and securing the box.

JR

So since Adorama pays for shipping, would I have to pay for the packing or would they? Any idea?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

They do not pay for packing. Meh.

 

[corkyg]

I shipped a Canon EOS 5d to B&H for the same purpose. I packed it in its original box, then packed that box into a larger box using bubble paper and peanuts. I took that to UPS along with the shipping label supplied by B&H. It went and arrived sin problema.

I always save the original factory boxes for all photo equipment. Packing cost me nothing. Peanuts are OK as long as the completed pack has total tighness and no movement iuternally.

 

[Gintaras]

So I am selling used gear (in my sig) to Adorama, but am wondering if just bubble wrap/packing peanuts/paper in normal cardboard boxes is safe enough to ship via UPS to them. Thoughts?

Pack the same way you would like to receive items bought by you and shipped to you...

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I shipped a Canon EOS 5d to B&H for the same purpose. I packed it in its original box, then packed that box into a larger box using bubble paper and peanuts. I took that to UPS along with the shipping label supplied by B&H. It went and arrived sin problema.

I always save the original factory boxes for all photo equipment. Packing cost me nothing. Peanuts are OK as long as the completed pack has total tighness and no movement iuternally.

I don't have orginal boxes anymore. Rather my gf doesn't (it's her gear she asked me to sell for her). So without original boxes how should I ship that? I have a Slingshot 200, and thought about packing things in that and then put into a larger box.

Pack the same way you would like to receive items bought by you and shipped to you...

Carried by a stork to my house?

 

[JohnnyRebel]

So since Adorama pays for shipping, would I have to pay for the packing or would they? Any idea?

Any charges for packing would be for you to pay. However, at least here in LA (Lower Alabama), I had my own boxes and was not charged for packing peanuts and tape. So, I paid nothing extra.

JR

 

[corkyg]

I don't have orginal boxes anymore. Rather my gf doesn't (it's her gear she asked me to sell for her). So without original boxes how should I ship that? I have a Slingshot 200, and thought about packing things in that and then put into a larger box. QUOTE]

Wrap the camera in several layers of bubble wrap. Put it in a small box so that it is snug - no movement. Then pack that box into a larger box with a good tight layer of peanuts all around. Should be very snug so when you shake the outer box, you sense no movement. Take it to UPS and wave bye-bye.

Lesson learned . . . always keep the original factory box and inserts.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I don't know but packing peanuts are worthless. Objects just fall through them.

bubble wrap + peanuts should be fine.

you have to pack the box densely. if you use too little peanuts obviously your object will slowly drop through and get to the edge of the box and be subject to the box's impacts.

Newegg ships hard drives in packing peanuts and bubble wrap. i'm almost certain if you have a big enough box that packing peanuts alone are good enough, but i'd add bubble wrap just in case.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I don't have orginal boxes anymore. Rather my gf doesn't (it's her gear she asked me to sell for her). So without original boxes how should I ship that? I have a Slingshot 200, and thought about packing things in that and then put into a larger box. QUOTE]

Wrap the camera in several layers of bubble wrap. Put it in a small box so that it is snug - no movement. Then pack that box into a larger box with a good tight layer of peanuts all around. Should be very snug so when you shake the outer box, you sense no movement. Take it to UPS and wave bye-bye.

Lesson learned . . . always keep the original factory box and inserts.

I keep all my boxes for this reason. Only one I don't have is my box for my Kuro TV (don't plan to sell it ever).

So there is a lot of stuff, see pic:

Should I package each lens/body in bubble wrap and it's own box and then put them all into one larger box? Just a lot of packing and packing materials to buy is all if it is.

 

[corkyg]

Wow! Did not realize you were shipping a full suite of photo equipment. With all that - I'd let UPS pack it all. It will cost $ anyway you do it.

 

[Gintaras]

I don't have orginal boxes anymore. Rather my gf doesn't (it's her gear she asked me to sell for her). So without original boxes how should I ship that? I have a Slingshot 200, and thought about packing things in that and then put into a larger box.



Carried by a stork to my house?

Does a stork deliver all the goods you buy?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Does a stork deliver all the goods you buy?

You missed that hot deal?

 

[HelenOster]

Can I also suggest that you take a couple of pictures of the items as they are packed? And photograph the sealing of the box - and take a note of the weight? While shipping damage (or items going missing during transit) is rare, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[corkyg]

That's a good suggestion, Helen. But, don't you think it's a bit late? The question and answers were provided 9 years ago. I would imagine it has already been done.

 

[HelenOster]

Oh my goodness...how did I not see that?? :

 

[Syborg1211]

Unless they shipped it snail mail and are still awaiting arrival!

 

[CuriousMike]

But, don't you think it's a bit late?

 

[WHAMPOM]

So I am selling used gear (in my sig) to Adorama, but am wondering if just bubble wrap/packing peanuts/paper in normal cardboard boxes is safe enough to ship via UPS to them. Thoughts?

Ziploc the equipment (keeps the disintegrating packing materials out), then bubble wrap, tape and solidly pack with peanuts, then pack again in a bigger box tightly packed with peanuts. Let no movement be detected when you shake that package!

edit: I know old thread but the best advice I know on packing due to recent experience.