Shipping Expensive Bows

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Whew...I need a break from the auction...I'm going crosseyed bidding on that good stuff over there.  While I'm taking a break...if you don't mind:

I need to ship a very expensive bow back to a bowyer for some work.  I've never shipped a bow before.  Any suggestions as to shipping companies, insurance, and packaging the bow up, and delivery confirmation, etc.    

[Orion]

If it's a longbow, wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in a piece of PVC pipe.  Takedowns can be wrapped in bubble wrap and sent in a cardboard box.  I've always used the US Postal Service.  Less expensive than than UPS, though others have used UPS to send bows to me.  I've had a few scares with longbows and one-piece recurves packaged in cardboard when the package came with a noticeable kink in it, but so far, no bow has been damaged.  Insurance is fairly expensive, often amounting to more than the shipping charge, but is probably worth it.  Good luck.

[carlr2s]

I have always used USPS, without any problems. I ship Priority Mail and insure it. The price seems reasonable to me. As far as packaging goes, use bubble wrap and newspaper for packing, and don't scimp on the tape. I tape and tape until I'm positive that package is secure. The hard part is finding a box for one piece recurves. Take downs and longbows are easy.

[carlr2s]

USPS is US Postal Service, not UPS. In case you didn't know.

[Weekend Warrior]

I would definitly get insurance, also a tracking number! Better safe than sorry!
  I sold a bow that the buyer gave me his old address and the POst office didn't forward it new mailing address it was a long month...
Everything turned out OK finaly...

[Lost Arra]

Longbow:
I wrap a big wad of socks around the limb tips. PVC, bubble wrap as explained above. US postal priority mail insurance. No problem. under $20

[Orion]

UPS is United Parcel Service or Brown as they choose to call themselves.  It's not USPS.

[Dick in Seattle]

I shipped two longbows today... 3" pvc pipe cut to 73", including any end cap.  Padding in both ends and a cut out, tapered wood end piece inserted.   The circumference of the 3" pipe will be 10 1/2", making the final post office measurement of the package a total of 83.5", just under their cutoff point of 84" for oversize charge.    cost was $15 per, plus insurance.   I wrapped the tip before sticking the bow in the tube, wrapped each limb with upholstery fluff, then tucked fluff around the other tip before taping the wood end on.

Now, if you shoot those bows with the bent ends, it ain't that easy, and the only advice i can give you is that if you would stop standing them in the closet, the ends would stop bending...

Dick in Seattle

[Killdeer]

The advice here is sound. I would get at least a Delivery Confirmation along with the insurance, but a Signature Confirmation is better. The recipient or their agent must sign for the bow, and a picture is taken of the form they sign (3849) so you will have the name and address of where it was delivered. You can check on it online at USPS.com.

Killdeer

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Lot's of great advice which I really appreicate!  Unfortunately, it is a 60" one piece recurve (when strung) which sounds like the toughest to ship.  I looked at the boxes on-line on the USPS site and didn't see anything they would have that would do the trick.  I'm at a loss for a box right now?    :confused:

[vermonster13]

Carpet tube. Just about any carpet shop will give you one for free and they're as tough as nails.

[Barney]

Stay away from Fed Ex.

[kennym]

Last bow I got was by usps,had about 3 short boxes taped together,lots of tape,its cheep!!

[TXRED]

I just shipped a 62" recurve via USPS (only way to go,IMHO).As you've found out,the toughest part is the box.I wound up building one out of a refridgerater box,which is double thick.Just have to watch your combined dimensions so they don't exceed 84".Check out USPS.com for shipping rates & dimension details.I paid $13.95 shipping + a couple of bucks for insurance for Priority Mail.Take Killdeer's advice;she's the resident mailma'm.  

[mqqse]

USPS for me as well.  One little tidbit.....if it's insured for over $200, a signature is required.  Getting delivery confirmation on top of that is not really necessary unless you want to check it online.  I also mark the box "fragile please" and pack safely enough where someone could through the box across the room without damaging the bow.

[jonesy]

Dick's is on top of it thats the best way to shipp em.

[Woodduck]

check it out:
  http://www.hummingbirdbows.com/No_UPS.html

[Killdeer]

Sounds like mqqse has seen the parcel area of the Post Office!

 

[vermonster13]

That is quite the pic there Woodduck. UPS is notorious for not paying insurance claims. If it can be broken than it obviously wasn't packed correctly is their claim most times.

[Raineman]

Okay, letting out a well guarded secret here.....

Go to your local HVAC company and ask them for "baseboard boxes". They are perfect for recurves and are easy to shorten to your desired length.

Whenever we do a job that requires adding or replacing baseboard, my guys know that I get the empty boxes.

(Thanks to Droptine59 for this one)