Shipping question, help please

[Rebel Elk]

Hello Everyone,

I would like to pick your brains about the ways you ship the repros you sell. Without an FFL needed, could they be shipped through the post office? I'm asking because I would like to sell my enfield, 1860 army, and my remington new model army here and I'm looking for an inexpensive way to ship them if they do sell. So...How do you guys normally ship them?

Thanks,
Mike Hebert
Mississippi Gulf Coast

[NC5thcav]

UPS. Works great.

[skamikaze]

FEDEX GROUND.

... I work there.

[gzook]

FedEx ground is normally cheaper than UPS AND FedEx ground is MUCH easier on the shipment than UPS. I used UPS for well over 30 years until a little over 3 years ago when they started tearing up over 50 percent of what I was shipping out and well over 75 percent of what was coming in to me. They tear up even wood crated items, especially those shipments that have to go through their Mesquite, Texas (Dallas area "hub"), facility. When the box doesn't show excessive damage the contents are still shaken so badly that they are damaged.

I have received very poorly packed items that were shipped by FedEx ground and every one of them arrived in "perfect" condition. Frankly, if those had been shipped by UPS they would have arrived in pieces. On the other hand, properly packed items are much too often damaged by UPS.

As for getting insurance payments on damaged items I have never had to do anything with FedEx ground. However, UPS will do everything in their power to deny claims. At least in this part of the country UPS has a sign over every one of their company owned counters saying that the package will be opened and inspected for "proper packing". By doing this UPS cannot refuse any claims, but they still try! Not inspecting the packing is grounds for immediate firing of any employee. Of course those employees cannot inspect every package but they will not admit to not doing such because they can be fired.

The "last straw" was when I shipped an item about 180 miles. First of all UPS lost the shipment! When I submitted a claim they "found" the shipment at their equivalent of the "dead letter office". Their bar-code label had come off. It seems that their employees cannot read anything else these days since my label was still intact. UPS opened the box and told me what was in it to make "sure" that this was the correct box. They then repacked the box and delivered it to the customer. The customer said that the box looked like it had been used for a basketball and the contents were severely damaged.

When I again submitted the insurance claim UPS tried the "not properly packed" routine. I then "reminded" the customer service representative of their "must open every box to inspect the packing" regulations. That person got very quiet and then said that the regional office would have to handle the claim. After that the claim was paid in full without any further problems.

I receive shipments from a supplier that is located about 50 miles from me that uses UPS for all of their shipments. Well over 50 percent of the boxes arrive damaged! Fortunately, the supplier packs VERY well and usually the contents make it fine. However, in several cases the boxes have been opened, certain expensive items removed (not everything, just the expensive items) and the box resealed with UPS tape. The supplier has replaced the missing items without any problem, but someone at UPS is opening the boxes and removing the items.

Anyway, since I have switched to FedEx ground I have not had one problem with either incoming or outgoing shipments. With UPS getting a shipment that is not damaged is the exception, not the rule.

Glen

[madisontigers]

I'm going to have to agree with my chum Derek, go the UPS route. I've shipped, and received weapons, both via UPS. I've never had a single problem when dealing with UPS. Definetely, go with UPS.
Derek, are you ready for our cold weekend adventure, which is coming up? Time to break out those Tiat's and columbus jackets.

David Long
c'est la guerre? La guerre est tres triste, mais, j'aime beacoup la guerre.

[Bailey Bennett & Scott]

Antiques and replicas can be shipped through the US Mail, provided they're not loaded and are properly packaged.

When shipping or receiving repro revolvers, I generally ship the frame in one box and the loading lever and cylinder in another. I label both "Metal Parts" and insure each one.

No matter which way you go, you will occasionally run into counter attendants who do not know what they're doing and will refuse to ship a package based on "company policy". You just need to speak to the manager and stick to your guns that it's an antique.

[Frenchie]

I've never had any trouble sending repro percussion firearms through the USPS. I prefer Priority Mail, it's not the cheapest but it gets there fast and the supplies are free.

[skamikaze]

I have worked for both UPS and FedEx. If you want your package to be destroyed, by all means, ship it UPS. When I was there, I saw a guy throw a BMW car door off a three story platform to the ground and it was mangled beyond recognition.

I'm not saying FedEx ground won't wreck stuff too, I have worked in Quality Assurance I have seen all kinds of destruction, but overall, UPS does almost 20 million in calims a year, whereas FedEx ground does about 3 mil.

your best bet is to pay a little more and go with FedEx Express.

[Nuttman]

Reb,
There are several sites that you can go to for the shipping of firearms laws.
One is the BATF page. An easy one is on the Gunbroker.com page, at the top click on the - how do I sell icon. When that page comes up click on the
Firearm Shipping Guide, it will explain about shipping antiques and pre-1898 repos.

I WOULD NOT SHIP A 100 LB. ANVIL ON UPS. I spent over 30 years working for one of the major airlines and over 20 of those years on the receiving dock. I worked daily with Fed-x and UPS. UPS would throw packages onto and off the trucks like they were going to a fire. Fed-x would always take time to load and unload one at a time. I always noticed this and hence always shipped Fed-x when I made the choice.

I have had three items destroyed by UPS being delivered to my home. One was a set of Steel step up bars for my truck. Now try that at home.

USPS aka Postal Service is a good way to ship. I have had very good service and they are very easy to use. I use them 95% of the time.