How to send a TT overseas?

Fredrik
Have you thought of contacting the manufacturer or your local dealer for recomendations?

Howard

Dear Howard,

I have not thought of anything yet, as I only made the deal on Thursday! It is a Rega P3, and the packing is quite good. I don't think the actual value is realistcially particularly high, but the thing is nigh mint, so I just want it to get to its new home and still be tidy!

I suppose I could ring Rega on Monday, if you think that is a good idea. I don't want to trouble the dealer I bought it off, really, as they already think I am a time waster - Heaven knows why! Possibly because I have not got any spare money at the moment!!

Thanks from Fredrik

Fredrik

If you have the original box with all the original packing foam etc, you should be ok.

The acid test is to pack it and then give it a bloody good shake. It you can hear or feel movement, repack it again.

All carriers are basically the same (despite all the waffle you read here), high speed machinery will whizz you parcel along so fast that you will barely be able to see it.

For a one off parcel, Parcelforce will almost certainly be the cheapest but make sure it is insured and trackable.

Regards

Mick

Dear Mick,

Thanks for that. I did wonder if the Post Office might not be the easiest. I shall certainly have to repack it, as I am not entirely convinced that it is quite good enough, though it is packed up as new.

I might put a plug in for a chess set that might soon be on fleaBay, but I can't say anymore! I designed the thing and it is unique and beautifully made, though!

Fredrik is selling everything not essential to life! I consider music is essntial, so the gramophone and library are safe enough!


Thanks Mick! Fredrik

Fredrik

If you have the same box and internal foam that Rega used then you will be fine. 99% of all damaged parcels are those packed by members of the public who use bundled up newspapers and foam granules etc.

Rega would have used foam inserts which are designed to keep the TT floating in mid air and able to absorb impact and shocks.

If you have all the original stuff then you are well away.

Regards

Mick

Dear Mick,

I shall repack it exactly as original, and get a load of tape to keep the box shut. Monday will see it despatched. I have to go to the PO in moment to send some letters, so I can find out what the drill is for sending it.

Cheers from Fredrik

Just an idea, but in these days of cheap flights, would it be possible to fly with the T/T personally, & carry it as handluggage? If you contacted the airline in advance & told them you have delicate precision equipment to carry, they should be fairly ameniable. The cost of a cheap ticket uk-euro may not be that much more than postage, & the piece of mind that its not been thrown around may be of value to you. Maybe you could make an enjoyable long weekend of it?
matt.

I had a P3 and moved house (and country) with it once. I had kept the original packaging and repacked it as it had arrived (as best as I could remember). The only thing that happened was that there is a ball bearing at the base of the spindle and with the spindle out (can't remember if the spindle fell out during transit or if it was removed during packing), but the ball bearing fell out and I didn't know it was there. Anyway during packing either make sure the spindle is taped in so it can't fall out or if it is taken out, put some tape over the hole.

Fredrik
No idea on packing but on carriers. Beware of the cost of sending and of the service levels some of these carriers have. In business I use several well known carriers to ship to Germany, Italy, Spain and they are all very expensive. I recently shipped an Ikea sideboard to middle Italy (don't ask!) and it was over £300 to get it there. On the other hand I do a personal import of cases of wine from Italy via TNT and that is reasonably cheap and secure. For an online quote from TNT (not the cheapest by some way) http://www.tnt.com/pricing/pricingInput.do?navigation=1...GB&genericSiteIdent=

Other advice
- make sure that it is insured
- and most importantly make sure that the receiver checks the turntable properly before signing the pod. If they sign it without noting damages then everything is lost, the courier will tell you that the goods were signed for "in good condition" and any damages are not their responsibility.
Steve

Take the counterweight off the arm, take the outer platter off the inner platter, make sure the inner platter can't rattle, cover the stylus with the original cover, don't let the plug rub on anything, wrap it if necessary.

I use Interlink DPD by road (www.interlinkexpress.com) which is more secure than Parcelforce. If you use parcelforce and your package weighs more than 10kg you have to take it to a main post office.

Jim