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Prior to shipping: While we don't require prior authorization to
ship units to us for repair. Please remember however that if the unit is not worth
repair, you will still be responsible for paying return shipping costs to get it
back, plus bench check fees if applicable. It's best to call or email
us first! Please note that we do not
work on certain makes and models of ham radio equipment. Let us help you decide
first, before shipping. Please see our ABOUT
page for contact information.
(THIS IS A BIT LENGTHY BUT MOST
IMPORTANT AND INFORMATIVE)
STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL
SHIPPING OF ELECTRONIC GOODS
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE NUMBER
OF "ANONYMOUS RIGS" RECEIVED HERE, ANY REPAIR ITEMS RECEIVED WITHOUT
THE ENCLOSED INFORMATION AS REQUESTED HERE WILL BE PUT ON "HOLD" FOR
THIRTY DAYS PENDING RECEIPT OF THAT INFORMATION. AFTER THAT TIME, THE RIG WILL
BE CONSIDERED ABANDONED PROPERTY AND DISPOSED OF AS SUCH.
IDENTIFY IT:
Enclose a note with your name, address,
call sign
and telephone number (including area code). Put in a brief description of
all symptoms, including details of intermittent problems (note time-to-failure,
ambient temperature, mechanical issues, etc.). Click here
for our shipping form; just print it and fill it out, and then stick it in with
the rig. If you don't have a good PDF reader, you'll need it to print
the form. I like "Foxit Reader", a free download of a PDF reader that
is MUCH faster than Adobe:
ORIGINAL BOXES)?
We NO LONGER RECOMMEND using the original
box(es) to ship gear in!
Here is an example of typical damage that we see
when a rig is shipped in it's ORIGINAL, FACTORY BOX. The foam pieces were just a
little compressed from use, and look what happened:
(click image for supersize)
NON-ORIGINAL PACKING MATERIALS
We actually prefer
this method to using the original boxes; Radios are much less likely to be
damaged, and you get to keep your original boxes at home where they won't be
damaged in shipment!
GET THE SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED
These can be
obtained from your local pack and ship store. You will need some large bubble wrap
(3/4" bubble height), about 20-24 inches wide. You will need about 8-12 feet
for smaller rigs (TS-440 for example) and about 15-20 feet for the big hybrid,
tube rigs and the TS-940-sized gear. Get some of that good 2" wide shipping
tape on a dispenser, a large-enough box, and some STYROFOAM PEANUTS-type loose-fill. DON'T SCRIMP on
packing; $30.00 for material that we can re-use, to protect a $1,200 rig is NOT
out of line.
BOX SIZING
You are going to measure the
rig, and then add 3 to 6 inches all around to get your box dimensions.
Always go larger if you have to; going smaller crowds things and invites damage.
Typical box sizes:
TS-440S and similar-size rigs: 18x18x12"
TS-850S, TS-520 thru TS-830 et al: 20x20x12"
TS-950, TS-940, FT-1000(D), et al: 24x24x18"
SPECIAL NOTE FOR OUR AK/HI CUSTOMERS:
Although you could pack your TS-940 or similar size radio to fit the USPS
Priority mail "length + height + girth" requirements, DON'T. The
resulting box will be TOO SMALL and rig damage WILL RESULT. If the rig is
destroyed and you have to file a claim and fight with them, would it be worth
the savings? Use the above box size recommendations and go Parcel Post, insured.
RIG PREPARATION
- REMOVE all plug-in cords and cables, and wrap them separately. Please don't
leave power cables and mics plugged into the radio. This may cause the
mating chassis connector to get damaged, adding to your repair costs.
- If any
access covers tend to come off, put a piece of tape over them.
- COLLAPSE any expandable "feet" or
bails (shorten or fold them up).
WRAP IT UP
Place the roll of bubble wrap on
the floor, with the bubble side up. Pull the end of the roll toward you,
then place the radio on the bubble wrap. You want the front of the rig to
the right; make sure that there is enough bubble material hanging over to give
good protection to the front panel controls. This is most important.
(click for supersize)
Now "roll" the radio up in the
bubble wrap, pulling as much off the roll as you need to make three to four
layers of bubble wrap around the rig. Use more layers if your box is big;
fewer if it's "just the right size". Using a razor knife, cut the
bubble wrap so that the edge bisects the top or bottom of the rig. Now tape that
end tight so it won't come loose; use about 8" of 2" wide packing
tape. Note: if a few bubbles pop as you roll up the rig, that's fine; this
provide relief for protruding edges, feet and knobs!
Fold the ends over the front and back of the
rig, just like wrapping a Christmas present. Tape the ends tightly, using 2
or 3 pieces of tape for each end. Your rig should now look like a bubble-wrap
"football".
Loose fill it: Assemble
the box; put 3 to 5 inches of STYRO PEANUTS loose fill in the bottom, then drop the rig in.
Note, if the corners of the bubble wrap cocoon stick out too far, distorting the
box, use a sharp tool to puncture some of the bubbles in the corners to make it
fit without distorting or damaging the box. When you are satisfied with the
position of the rig, loose fill the rest of the box. Shake the box down
several times; "stuff" the loose fill down between the bubble
wrapped rig and the box sides; but don't distort the box sides. Do this several
times. The box flaps should be difficult to close; this is good! Get help if
needed to tape the box shut. But, before taping the box, make sure you have put your information inside!
Here are some examples of underfilled boxes that arrived
here at the shop. They were not thrown or dropped (much), but heavier items set
upon them made it look like someone sat on them:
(click on pic for larger one)
This one was underfilled by about 2 inches by the time it got to our shop.
That's why it's important to "shake it down" and "stuff it".
Of course, since our customer followed our bubble wrap instructions, the rig was
fine!
(click for larger version)
Tape the box
Tape the top seam, bottom seam, and the
sides of the closing flaps with one layer each of packing tape. For a heavy rig,
run two more layers of tape down the middle, top and bottom of box. Very
important: Most boxes have a single side seam on one corner that is
glued at the factory. TAPE THIS ALSO as they are not very strong and we
have had a couple burst open.
Use good packing tape. Inexpensive tape may
break in shipping. Do not use duct tape (tacky, causes jams in sorting
machinery and conveyors) or office "transparent" tape (too weak).
INAPPROPRIATE PACKING MATERIALS
PLEASE DO NOT USE:
Newspaper or newsprint (compresses too
easily and won't rebound)
Clothing, bedding or pillows (too heavy, allergenic)
Shredded paper (allergenic)
Rigid foam (too stiff, may as well use wood!)
Inappropriate
packing materials will NOT be returned or reused; this will increase your
shipping costs.
Please don't
use "filament tape" or "duct tape" when packing your
item; They hang up on sorting equipment and cause boxes to fall off conveyors.
Also they look tacky! Remove any loose ends of old tape; make sure your new tape
is pressed down firmly, all around.
MULTIPLE ITEMS
If shipping more than one unit in a box (say, a
rig and a microphone), make sure all units are unplugged and wrapped separately,
separated from each other AND the sides of the box by at least 3 inches of
packing material. It's often best to ship two boxes or more.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR VINTAGE RIGS
DO NOT SHIP DRAKE
OR COLLINS AC POWER SUPPLIES STILL SECURED IN THE SPEAKER BOXES! This will
result in the destruction of the speaker. Separate them and box
separately. CONTACT B&B TECHNICAL before shipping a power supply; we
may have one in our shop to use, thus saving shipping costs.
PLEASE DO NOT SHIP HF AMPLIFIERS; WE ARE NOT WORKING
ON AMPS AT THIS TIME.
INSURANCE
Buy insurance for the replacement value of
the rig in good working condition. You would not want the shipper to
buy you a replacement radio that needs repair!
WHICH SHIPPER TO USE?
We recommend the
Postal Service only for light, well-packed items. Mail is also the best value
for international shipping. For Canada shipments we use UPS. For most CONUS (CONtinental US), we recommend UPS or
Federal Express for Amateur Radios. CONUS shipments will be returned via FedEx
Ground, insured, unless otherwise requested.
REPACKAGING CHARGES
We may determine that your radio must be
"repacked" for return shipment. This may because of shipping damage to your packing material, or
because of use of inappropriate packing methods or materials. Repack charges vary, from a few
dollars for new loose-fill to $40.00 or more for a complete repack of a big rig
in a new double-walled box.
These materials can usually be re-used, so consider it an investment. We charge
only our materials cost and a very small amount for the additional time taken to
ensure a safe delivery of your "baby"; please bear with us and
understand that insurance is wonderful, but who really wants to take the time
to make a claim that may be denied? Let's attack this on the "front
end" and keep our gear intact!
OUR
SHIPPING ADDRESS
(you may cut and paste into Word, blow
up to 22pt and tape to box):
B&B Technical
Services
5293 Arbutus St.
Arvada, CO 80002
303-424-4858
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