Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 01, 2010, 08:28:00 AM
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad50/wvlungbuster/CIMG0440.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad50/wvlungbuster/CIMG0439.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad50/wvlungbuster/CIMG0438.jpg)
Needless to say, all T/D's will now ship in PVC tubes, just like one piece bows. :readit: :mad:
Only the tip overlay was ripped off, and this good Mohawk longbow will go back to Vince for complete restoration, and then back home safely to me.
Karma had intervened - she didn't want "Magua" to get separated from me. I'll welcome the warrior back home with open arms and a promise never to let him go again. :saywhat:
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on April 01, 2010, 08:33:00 AM
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on April 01, 2010, 08:38:00 AM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 01, 2010, 08:43:00 AM
In this case, for me, turning this over to the Post Office for the insurance dollars would only be an option if the bow was killed (do note that the usps will pay for the restoration of damaged bows).
If it's only the limb tip overlay that's shattered, and Vince sez it's repairable, this bow deserves a new lease on life.
Post by: TexasTrad on April 01, 2010, 08:44:00 AM
I wonder how that happens...does the box get caught in some kind of machine, dropped out of a moving truck, smashed with heavier boxes?????
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 01, 2010, 08:48:00 AM
From now on I'm treating ALL shipped bows as if they had to endure a road trip through Afghanistan.
Post by: JRY309 on April 01, 2010, 09:05:00 AM
Post by: rastaman on April 01, 2010, 09:06:00 AM
Thank goodness yours can be repaired!
Post by: hayslope on April 01, 2010, 11:24:00 AM
I bought a used one piece from down south and it was shipped wrapped in bubble wrap inside a long cardboard box. When it arrived, the box looked as though a rugby team had used it in a practice session. :scared:
Amazingly, the bow survived without a mark. Sometimes you get lucky.
Rob, thankfully yours sounds like it can be resurrected, but it still doesn't ease the initial shock. I'm sure it will come back to you good as new.
Post by: sw on April 01, 2010, 11:34:00 AM
Glad to hear the bow is repairable.
Post by: John3 on April 01, 2010, 11:42:00 AM
JDS III
Post by: Shifting Shadow on April 01, 2010, 11:46:00 AM
Post by: PAPA BEAR on April 01, 2010, 01:05:00 PM
Post by: hunt it on April 01, 2010, 01:20:00 PM
Post by: Bjorn on April 01, 2010, 01:28:00 PM
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0197.jpg)
Post by: TommyBoy on April 01, 2010, 01:33:00 PM
Post by: SELFBOW19953 on April 01, 2010, 01:59:00 PM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 01, 2010, 02:13:00 PM
insure, confirm/track, make sure you have some means to prove the value of the bow shipped.
anything else is dumb - and i admit to being dumb when i shipped out this t/d longbow in cardboard box. never ever again.
Post by: ballen28115 on April 01, 2010, 02:22:00 PM
Post by: missagain on April 01, 2010, 02:50:00 PM
Post by: Gatekeeper on April 01, 2010, 03:14:00 PM
This setup cost a little more but the reassurance it gives me is worth it.
Post by: Killdeer on April 01, 2010, 03:23:00 PM
I kinda like that bubble-wrapped one. I can see right off what it is and know that it is fragile. In a box, who knows? Most times, all is well. These breakages are a rarity. I typically ship in cardboard and tons of bubble wrap, and tape all the seams to the point of being obsessive.
Killdeer
Post by: J. Adams on April 01, 2010, 03:27:00 PM
Post by: phil_des_bois on April 01, 2010, 03:58:00 PM
Post by: Jason Kendall on April 01, 2010, 04:11:00 PM
I used UPS before USPS, now they are hard on bows! It sucks when it happens, lucky for us it doesnt happen to often.
That picture is funny Bjorn, I once had a guy send me a bow he bought used for a refinish, he wrapped it in tyvek! It made it ok, but I told him he probably shouldnt do that anymore.
Post by: potlikker on April 01, 2010, 04:11:00 PM
Post by: bentpole on April 01, 2010, 04:16:00 PM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 01, 2010, 04:18:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Killdeer:then, if i'm still thinking about that fight with my spouse this morning, or the boss ticked me off, or i'm just a nasty mean crotchety person, i'll make sure to take extra good care of that bubble wrapped funny lookin' stick .... "doh, hey darryl, look at this warped stick kinda thingy wrapped all purty like - betcha i can flip this sucker in yonder hamper on my first try, doh ..."
...
I kinda like that bubble-wrapped one. I can see right off what it is and know that it is fragile. ...
:D
Post by: rlc1959 on April 01, 2010, 04:20:00 PM
Randy
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 01, 2010, 04:25:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by bentpole:like i said, karma had other plans for that stick. i'm sure vince can make that bad boy new again, when he gets back from whacking nebraska turks next week.
:scared: :eek: :knothead: Yes sir PVC or carpet tube for me.
Post by: Day Dreamer on April 01, 2010, 04:57:00 PM
Post by: vtmtnman on April 01, 2010, 05:08:00 PM
Post by: wv lungbuster on April 01, 2010, 09:33:00 PM
Post by: Dan White on April 01, 2010, 10:05:00 PM
Post by: joe skipp on April 02, 2010, 01:07:00 PM
Post by: bentpole on April 02, 2010, 05:47:00 PM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 02, 2010, 06:02:00 PM
i pretty much did the same as you - t/d 2pc longbow in a thick double sock, 3 layers of bubble wrap with ends folded over, brand new usps triangular box (stronger than a rectangular box), with a wad of bubble wrap at either end and the bow in the middle. usps priority, insured w/confirmation.
i'll never ship out any bow - 1pc, 2pc, 3pc - in a cardboard box ... not ever again.
Post by: steadman on April 02, 2010, 11:52:00 PM
Post by: Over&Under on April 03, 2010, 12:01:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by steadman:That is exactly what I have done in the past. They are almost bullet proof and free to boot! They work great!
Rob, go to a carpet outlet and get there used cardboard rolls. They are very thick, that is what I use. Just cut the roll 8" or so bigger than the bow and stuff bubble wrap around the ends and the riser. Then duct tape the heck out of the ends. Works great for all the bows I've shipped so far.
Post by: jacobsladder on April 03, 2010, 12:04:00 AM
Post by: jcar315 on April 03, 2010, 12:08:00 AM
Post by: DEATHMASTER on April 03, 2010, 12:30:00 AM
I do not know if this is how all Predators are shipped but I was VERY impresseed with it.
Post by: Bowwild on April 03, 2010, 02:15:00 AM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 03, 2010, 04:47:00 AM
Post by: Keefer on April 03, 2010, 07:11:00 AM
I had a longbow in a heavy cardboard tube that looked like someone hit it with a pick up truck and as my mail lady handed me the carpet role she said "Good thing it's insured "! I took pics before I opened it and thank "God" the bow was perfect...Looking at the tube I thought it would be severed right in the middle! A fella I know who fly's for "Overnight; told me even the P.v.c. tubes get jammed up on the conveyer belts as they are loaded on the containers sometimes but the P.v.c. tubes are a safer bet...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 03, 2010, 08:14:00 AM
1. steel pipe (hah!)
2. schedule 40 pvc
3. drain pipe lightweight pvc
4. heavy cardboard carpet tube
5. light cardboard carpet tube
6. triangular cardboard box
7. rectangular cardboard box
though i'm not at all adverse to using heavy carpet roll tubes, from several practical standpoints, it's easiest and best for me to use pvc tubes for all stickbow shipping, insured and confirmed.
y'all choose wisely.
Post by: Tim Finley on April 03, 2010, 09:38:00 PM
Post by: Michael Arnette on April 03, 2010, 11:16:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 03, 2010, 11:45:00 PM
Post by: Hit-or-Miss on April 04, 2010, 07:39:00 AM
Shipped in a large, heavy duty cardbord tube, bubble wrapped with the tube caps duct taped in place. It was obviously packed with care, but to loose in the tube and some US Postal idiot had apparently used it as SPEAR and thrown it into a truck or against a wall, HARD and the bow tip had poked through the bubble wrap, tube cap and multiple layers of duct tape. It was loose and slid back and forth in the big tube. No damage, but I was PO'd.
I think shipping bows is a matter of luck, despite how careful it is packed or who ships. I have bought numerous other bows in recent years, and they have all arrived in perfect condition.
PVC/bubble wrap and multiple prayers might be the best bet for shipping longbows.
Post by: Keefer on April 04, 2010, 07:51:00 AM
Steel pipe with two end caps on it! :scared:
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 04, 2010, 08:27:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Hit-or-Miss:GOT to use sturdy end caps on all tubes - i cut and fit either 3/4" pine or 1/2" plywood, with 4 screws, both ends. gonna be tough to poke through that, hard as those shippers might try ...........
I received a Ben Pearson longbow from a seller on that large auction site awhile ago...
Shipped in a large, heavy duty cardbord tube, bubble wrapped with the tube caps duct taped in place. It was obviously packed with care, but some US Postal idiot had apparently used it as SPEAR and thrown it into a truck or against a wall, HARD and the bow tip had poked through the bubble wrap, tube cap and multiple layers of duct tape. No serious damage, just scratches to the finish.
I think shipping bows is a matter of luck, despite how careful it is packed or who ships. I have bought numerous other bows in recent years, and they have all arrived in perfect condition.
PVC/bubble wrap and multiple prayers might be the best bet for shipping longbows.
Post by: Mohawkbows on April 04, 2010, 09:50:00 AM
Post by: bentpole on April 04, 2010, 10:19:00 AM
Post by: RonD on April 04, 2010, 10:38:00 AM
Post by: Tim Finley on April 04, 2010, 09:42:00 PM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 05, 2010, 07:33:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Tim Finley:well tim, then ya did the very best ya could and thank goodness for insurance ... um, if the bow was damaged, you did have it fully insured, right?
The pvc pipe I had damaged had plywood screwed into both ends, the pipe was totaly shatered when it arrive. My brother flew freight for Fed X and he said some of the conveyors at the depots were suspened and when packages came to the end had quite a drop....Tim
Post by: SteveB on April 05, 2010, 02:24:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Mohawkbows:Does that include insurance?
The thin wall irrigation pipe that I buy at Home Depot costs $5.29 in a 10 foot length and they have a coupling on one end. I can ship 3 bows with the purchase of two tubes [$3.71each]. If you put the caps on as Rob describes the shipping container is about as strong as is possible, I have never had a damaged bow doing it this way even though they have arrived with tire marks on them. Don't know what the boxes cost but for a couple of bucks more it makes sense to me. I can ship anywhere in the lower 48 insured for a total cost of right at or slightly under $25.
Post by: Bowwild on April 25, 2010, 10:28:00 AM
Post by: Craig on April 25, 2010, 11:26:00 AM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 25, 2010, 11:29:00 AM
take yer nice $1000+ t/d blacktail and stick it in a box and then jump on it with both feet and all yer weight. oops. something got broke and it wasn't yer foot.
now do the same thing with yer very expensive bow inside a schedule 40 pvc tube. now ya get it?
don't think a shipper with step on yer box? do you also believe in the tooth fairy? :laughing:
as one who used to ship bows in cardboard boxes made of ticky tacky, i have seen the light ... using anything less than pvc tubes with wood or plastic end caps is expecting far too much from any shipping vendor, particularly in these trying economic times.
wanna use cardboard? good luck - y'all will need that luck far more than if ya went with pvc.
Post by: Gapmaster on April 25, 2010, 01:14:00 PM
Post by: LBR on April 25, 2010, 04:15:00 PM
I've recieved and shipped literally hundreds of bows over the last dozen to 15 years or so, nearly all in cardboard boxes. They are shipped to me here in the Southeast from Southwest Canada--a pretty long haul from the start. Most of my shipping is within the lower 48, but I've also shipped a lot of bows to AK, HI, and as far away as Hungary, Romania, Australia, France, Italy, etc. 99+% via USPS.
One thing I don't use much of is bubble wrap--I like foam wrap and/or newspaper. If I use bubble wrap, it's in conjunction with one of the other two, especially on the pointy ends--they poke through bubble wrap too easily for me.
I'm not stingy with packing material (old newspaper is cheap). I've had customers tell me their box looked scary when they got it, but the bow inside was just fine.
I do insure every bow I ship, but I've never had to use it. I also always ship via Priority Mail (in the U.S.) I'm confident that, if I did have a problem, it wouldn't be a hassle getting it resolved--nice thing about small town post offices, they really do appreciate your business--at least the two I use do.
I have used carpet cobs for shipping longbows, just because I had them handy. No problems with those either, other than they are heavy and cost more to ship. A good, heavy wad of newspaper wrapped around the tips, then more crammed in on top, will keep it from pushing through the duct tape if you don't have a wood or plastic end-cap.
Chad
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 25, 2010, 04:34:00 PM
if i didn't have a need to start this thread, i'd surely be with ya on using cardboard boxes.
however, one nearly destroyed bow is just too much for me, so i've changed my bow shipping container material for all future bow shipping, 1pc and t/d.
if it was a hassle, or not at all cost effective, i probably would stick with cardboard for shipping. but for shipping all longbows, at a nominal cost of less than $5 for each drain pipe tube shipping container ($7.12 for a 10' pipe at lowes, buy two, get three bow shipping tubes), to me, using drain pipe a no-brainer.
Post by: dakota tim on April 25, 2010, 05:59:00 PM
Now when I'm interested in a buying a bow off the board I ask how they ship. I've passed up bows before just because the seller said "cardboard box".
Post by: vtmtnman on April 25, 2010, 07:10:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:Considering we're talking about USPS,I'd choose the steel pipe. :thumbsup:
from impractical to gambling, here are most material options for shipping out all stickbows - you pick the one you think will work best ...
1. steel pipe (hah!)
2. schedule 40 pvc
3. drain pipe lightweight pvc
4. heavy cardboard carpet tube
5. light cardboard carpet tube
6. triangular cardboard box
7. rectangular cardboard box
though i'm not at all adverse to using heavy carpet roll tubes, from several practical standpoints, it's easiest and best for me to use pvc tubes for all stickbow shipping, insured and confirmed.
y'all choose wisely.
Post by: LBR on April 25, 2010, 07:25:00 PM
I don't blame you for going with your experience--if I ever get one trashed, I'm sure I'll consider something different.
The odds are with me--I'll have to ask to be sure, but I know CM has shipped thousands upon thousands of bows in boxes, and I don't think they ever had one get trashed.
I take responsibility for the shipping, and any damage that might be incurred. So far, it's just more cost effective for me and my customers--shipping costs are getting worse and worse. If I only shipped a few a year, a pipe would look like a lot better option.
Chad
Post by: Lost Arra on April 25, 2010, 07:44:00 PM
I sold a bow last week and shipped it like Rob in pvc. My shipping cost exactly twice what it cost the bowyer to ship the custom to me.
Post by: Bowwild on April 25, 2010, 07:48:00 PM
I kept the bow my new BT arrived in. I plan to use it if I ever move a one-piece recurve again but I don't intend to move another one. I will be selling a couple TD bows and I plan to ship them in the cardboard, foam-lined boxes they came in to me.
I agree with Rob and others insurance won't be good enough compensation if a bow I've bought is damaged - -who wants to start the build clock ticking all over again?! Not me. This thread has caused me to think. Maybe I'll try to figure out a cheap and light way to make a wooden box for the TDs I'll be selling, to make sure. I'd rather (I don't mean this to sound as bad as it might) learn from the lessons of some on this thread than have my own bad shipping experience.
Thanks
Post by: LBR on April 25, 2010, 07:55:00 PM
Good point, if you are selling used or your bowyer puts you at the back of the list. Neither of those is the case with me--if I bow I ship were to be damaged, it's moved to priority status and will be replaced asap--within weeks, not months.
I won't call anyone stupid for spending the extra money on a tube. I just don't think I am stupid for going on my experience of hundreds of bows and Chek-Mate's experience of thousands of bows.
Post by: cwbyengraver on April 25, 2010, 08:40:00 PM
Post by: swampdrummer on April 26, 2010, 12:03:00 AM
Yeah, its expensive but I don't have any trouble sleeping at night while the bow is in transit.
Cost me 40 something bucks for a 58" shrew. Shipped a take down silver tip for 26 and change.
Funny story. Postmaster commented on me wanting insurance for the silver tip. Said I didn't need it with the "bombproof" box. Then he paused for a second and said. "You've dealt with the USPS before haven't you?" I said, "yessir, I have... " enough said, LOL
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on April 26, 2010, 05:03:00 PM
Now, I'm pretty sure I could have pried a one ton dually out of a ditch with that stave. I still have no idea what they did to break that stave, much less the packaging.
Shipping is such a crap shoot...
Post by: BobCo 1965 on April 27, 2010, 09:29:00 AM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 27, 2010, 09:40:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Jeff Strubberg:a perfect argument for using a steel pipe shipping tube. :laughing:
I shipped a 1 1/2" square osage stave once in a schedule 40 PVC tube with heavy end caps. Somehow UPS manage to bust through the end cap, roll about ten inches of the stave out and break it 90% of the way through!
Now, I'm pretty sure I could have pried a one ton dually out of a ditch with that stave. I still have no idea what they did to break that stave, much less the packaging.
Shipping is such a crap shoot...
Post by: TheFatboy on April 27, 2010, 09:43:00 AM
Post by: Bowwild on April 27, 2010, 04:47:00 PM
LBR, that's very cool that you would help someone out that would lose a bow to shipping.
Post by: Hattrick on April 27, 2010, 09:25:00 PM
it can happen with PVC tubes also, i had that happen to me a 8' poster roll shoveled in it with my bow case the bow was punctured 8" out the other end. ! I was leaving in three weeks for Africa I was sick! the fed x guy an i could not pull them apart i made him watch while i circular sawed the PCV pipe in half to get my bows out... The only thing i can think is they loaded his truck with fork lift an shoved the poster through my case..ANY THING CAN HAPPEN WHEN BEING SHIPPED NO MATTER HOW WELL PACKED....Luckily my bows were fine just sum miner scratches ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 27, 2010, 10:10:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Hattrick:i hear ya ... bad things can always happen. still, what would have happened if you went with cardboard instead of pvc?
Rob
it can happen with PVC tubes also, i had that happen to me a 8' poster roll shoveled in it with my bow case the bow was punctured 8" out the other end. ! I was leaving in three weeks for Africa I was sick! the fed x guy an i could not pull them apart i made him watch while i circular sawed the PCV pipe in half to get my bows out... The only thing i can think is they loaded his truck with fork lift an shoved the poster through my case..ANY THING CAN HAPPEN WHEN BEING SHIPPED NO MATTER HOW WELL PACKED....Luckily my bows were fine just sum miner scratches ...
Post by: LBR on April 27, 2010, 10:42:00 PM
Quote
what would have happened if you went with cardboard instead of pvc?That's easy. If it had been shipped in a cardboard box, the more uniform shape and lighter mass weight would have insured the package stayed in place at or near the top of the pile, thus avoiding the fork entirely.
:bigsmyl:
Post by: Hattrick on April 29, 2010, 08:24:00 PM
Post by: bentpole on April 30, 2010, 06:35:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Bow is fine but it's like someone jumped on it to see if they can break it. Folks please be careful shipping your pride and joys!
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 30, 2010, 06:42:00 PM
Post by: aussieman8 on April 30, 2010, 07:43:00 PM
Post by: bentpole on May 01, 2010, 08:50:00 AM
Post by: myshootinstinks on May 01, 2010, 11:30:00 AM
http://www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/online/
Post by: rightminded on May 02, 2010, 11:46:00 AM