Moving Stuff (Or, shipping to be more precise)

StrifeRaZoR

Heyo H/A folks. I should've posted this about a week ago (considering I only have 48 hours to prepare now), but I'm lazy. Here's my situation:

I'm flying back home to South Carolina in a few days and I would like to take some things with me. Well, not exactly WITH me on the plane, but I'd like to at least have them when I get back home. This primarily concerns my computer and monitor. I know I really only have 2 options when it comes to this, and I'd like to know which one would be easier, if not the cheapest.

Option 1: Send the computer/monitor combo via FedEx to my home back in SC (Currently in Texas).

Option 2: Check the computer in with me at the airport. Friend of mine said it could be done, but I'm not a pro when it comes to airport guidelines or prices.

So which one would be best for me? I think option 1, but hey, I could be totally wrong here. If it is option 1, how would I go about getting it set up? Do I just box the tower and monitor back up and drop them off at a FedEx location and tell them, "Yeah, it needs to go to this address."? Do they provide better boxes? I checked their website today and found very little information about in-store shipping, and considering I only have tomorrow to get all this sorted out, I'm paying for it by not being educated on this.

So that's my issue. FedEx or check them in? Do I provide the boxes? Can I get packing material at the FedEx store? What's the usual cost of a Monitor/Tower?

MushroomStick

Are you moving or just visiting? If you're just visiting, don't take the desktop.

StrifeRaZoR

Oh, yeah, should have mentioned that. Definitely moving. Haven't seen my family in 4 years and getting kind of tired of Texas. So definitely moving for good.

MushroomStick

Ok, my next question is: Is the computer new enough to be worth shipping? If its a couple years old, you might be better off just backing up any important files, wipe the computer, sell on craigslist or something, and then just buy a new one when you get to SC. To figure shipping, you're going to need the dimensions and weight of the package (computer and any packing peanuts or whatever included).

Kate of Lokys

My experience has been that the best way to transport a computer is in the boxes its components came in, which is why I've lugged my giant Antec Sonata II case through four different moves in two different countries. Even if you don't have the original box, though, you should be able to improvise something big enough to hold your case plus some padding. Styrofoam is the best, because it provides some extra rigidity instead of just padding: if some baggage-mangling monkey hammers the corner of another box into the side of yours, packing peanuts or crumpled newspapers will just get pushed out of the way, letting the damage through, but a sheet of styrofoam will absorb the blow.

I highly recommend partially disassembling your computer, too. If the box is jostled hard enough during transport, it's possible that something could get knocked loose, potentially causing significant damage as it bangs around inside the case. So, pull out the hard drive, pull out the video card, pull out the RAM, get the interior of the case as tidy as possible, then wrap the components securely in bubble wrap and tuck them back into the case, using additional bubble wrap or newspaper to fill in any empty areas. You might want to bring just the hard drive with you on the flight, since it's the thing most likely to be damaged in conventional shipping.

To answer your specific questions: I'd agree with FedEx over airline shipping. Back in the good old days of actually being able to bring luggage with you without having to pay for it, there was something to be said for the savings of just checking stuff as baggage, but most airlines these days charge $50 for luggage anyway, and treat your bags like pinatas to boot, so it's just not worth it. FedEx stores should sell shipping supplies, but know that you're going to be paying a premium for them there versus just buying them at Wal-Mart or something. They should also have a variety of boxes, but nothing they have will be as good as the box your case came in, so if you have that, use it.

Get your computer disassembled and its innards packed up before you go to the FedEx store, but do the actual boxing-up when you get there - I've had very different experiences from different locations when shipping stuff, ranging from "whatever man, do it yourself" to "we refuse to ship or insure this package unless we first verify its contents, then attend to every detail of the packaging ourselves."

Vesty

I'll preface my post with this: I don't know how the airline system works, but I do work for FedEx so I know all about our stuff (and maybe a little biased :P)

You can box it up in the original packaging and bring it into the store, fill out the form, and ship it. We ship monitors, tvs and the like in the manufactures original packaging all the time. If you don't have all the foam stuff that came with it we recommend at least 3-4" of padded space between the item and the box. Especially for the monitor. We do offer packaging services if you want us to take care of that for you. We guarantee anything we package will reach its destination safe and sound. If something were to happen to it be lost or damaged we will fully re-reimburse you any and all replacement costs (based on your declared value), the shipping costs, and packaging costs. I don't remember the price list off the top of my head but something like a monitor and desktop you're probably looking around $18-25 per box to package depending how big it is. Now we also sell boxes and packaging supplies separately if you want to do it on your own as well, but when you figure in how much those cost and the appropriate amount of filler/bubble wrap it's about the same as if we do it for you, and you get our guarantee.

As for shipping FedEx Ground is you're cheapest option. You're looking at 2-3 days from your location to South Carolina. Ground delivers to residences Tuesday-Saturday so depending when you ship it you can figure out when it should be there. I can't really speak for the rates as there are a lot of factors that go into it, but you're probably looking $18+ per box based on how big/heavy I imagine the boxes will be. There's a rate calculator at FedEx.com you can use to get a rough idea. On the shipping form there is a section for declared value. What that is is how much it would cost to replace your monitor and computer at fair market value (it's not insurance!!!). We cover the first $100 per box free of charge. After that there are additional fees. I highly recommend declaring upfront because it can effect the claim process if you don't and something happens. Also to note anything over $500 will require a signature when it reaches its destination. If that is an issue where no one would be home you can look into having it shipped to a local FedEx Office as a Hold at Location. We'll hold it there at the store and you can come pick it up any time during store hours. Also if it is over $500 and you pack it yourself we reserve the right to inspect the contents to make sure it is properly packed.

We do a lot of computer equipment pack and ships with companies having their employees ship them all over the place. Your situation is nothing out of the ordinary.

If you have any questions by all means.

-e- In sorta response to above yeah YMMV sometimes when it comes to the stores. We have our guidelines and rules. As I imagine with most businesses some people can be a little lax and some follow them to a T. IMO at not point should they refuse to let your declare a value for the item but we do take note if its packed like crap and has a high value, and it will effect a claim.

StrifeRaZoR

Outstanding information. Thank you much. Today is the big day, so I'll contact FedEx and find the closest shipping location. My case's original box is kinda banged up, so I may have to snag a new one. Probably play a bit of WoW this morning, then take it all apart and get it sent off this afternoon. I'm not picky about when it arrives, as I'll be spending the next week or two getting caught up with my old friends and family, so the last thing I need is a computer peeling me away from them like it did before I moved . I may end up just wrapping all the components securely and shipping them in a separate smaller box, and just keep my PSU and Motherboard attached to the case. That seems like the best idea, as the most expensive parts to my system are the video cards and RAM anyway. (If the motherboard happens to get cracked or broken while shipping, I'll actually consider that a blessing and a great excuse to snag a new MSI board off Tigerdirect!)

Thanks again for very useful information. I'll post back here with any last-minute questions I might have.

MushroomStick

StrifeRaZoR wrote: »

(If the motherboard happens to get cracked or broken while shipping, I'll actually consider that a blessing and a great excuse to snag a new MSI board off Tigerdirect!)

If that's how you feel, then why not ditch the case? Then you could ship everything else in flat rate boxes for way cheaper.

StrifeRaZoR

MushroomStick wrote: »

StrifeRaZoR wrote: »

(If the motherboard happens to get cracked or broken while shipping, I'll actually consider that a blessing and a great excuse to snag a new MSI board off Tigerdirect!)

If that's how you feel, then why not ditch the case? Then you could ship everything else in flat rate boxes for way cheaper.

I was honestly thinking of doing that. Was mainly just saying that *IF* it were to happen...well, it's a great excuse. I honestly don't NEED to upgrade anything, as it plays my games just fine. I really need to cut back on my computer spendings

MushroomStick

So did you get it shipped?

StrifeRaZoR

Well, finally back in SC. Here's a quick rundown of what happened.

I ripped all the parts out of my case except the motherboard and power supply. I put all the parts in a small box with anti-static bags and lots of packing material, very secure. I took the tower, monitor, and box of parts to the local fedex shipping office. The guy there told me that he could not ship the monitor as it was a liability to ship an LCD or plasma. I CAN ship it, but they wouldn't let me put any insurance on it, and he said it was pretty much guaranteed to break. As for the tower and box of parts, he said that they could definitely ship that and he would get it all sorted out and call us back before the flight with the shipping price. Everything looked like it was going well.

The next day, at 6 in the friggin' morning, we get a call from Fedex. The price for a tower and box of parts...to ship...standard ground...was $104. I told them no way. That's way too much and totally not worth it. So no, nothing got shipped. I left the computer back in texas with my fiance, and will send her the money needed to ship it some other way. Whether it's UPS or the postal service. I'm not sure what made it so expensive to ship that tower. The website told me that 60 pounds of equipment in 3 boxes (Which is an overstatement) would be close to $60...total. So, dunno.

MushroomStick

The dimensions can jack up the price too. If it was my stuff, I'd have the fiance pack all the parts that would fit into a large usps flat rate box. You definitely wouldn't get the case and probably not the motherboard, but I'd be surprised if it cost you more than $20 to ship everything else that way, even if you get it insured.

Vesty

Seems a little high to me, but remember that price off the website does not include the packaging costs. If they were charging you around 20-25 for just the tower then say another 15 for the parts (or visa versa), that's 95+ right there plus taxes.

Also whoever you talked to was completely wrong about the monitor, but that's sorta moot at this point.

Sorry dude =\


-e- re: dimensions. Yea they can really effect the price. If your tower only weighs say 10lbs but the box its in is friggin giant you get charged based on the dimensional weight of the box (basically how much space it takes up) instead of the physical weight. You can look up the equation to figure out DIM weight, then compare it to the actual weight. Which ever is higher is what the price is based off of. That's why when I direct people to the online rate calculator I recommend to just use it as a rough idea unless you enter the exact specifications of the package.

StrifeRaZoR

Well, if it's the size of the case that's causing so many issues, then I may follow Mushroom's advice and do a flat rate USPS box. The only problem with that, is coaching my fiance over the phone on how to disassemble my computer lol. I'm going to have her check the rates with UPS while I check USPS and see which will be easier. I can ditch the case if it comes to it. I'm sure some old friends here have a spare mid-tower case I can use. Don't care what it looks like as I never used my side panel on my old one anyway. Just ripped it off and put a floor fan pointing right at it so it's easier to overclock. (Poor man's cooling system ).

Also, Vesty, how much does FedEx usually charge to package something like that themselves? I remember them giving me the option to pack it myself, but they never actually gave me a price for having them do it. And I think you're right about the person I spoke to being wrong about the monitor. Do you know offhand how USPS handles monitors like that? It's a 24" LCD monitor, and probably the most important part of the gaming rig. They basically told me that if I pack it, I can't put any insurance on it, and they're not able to pack it. I got the guy's name. Can you go beat him up for me? lol

Vesty

haha I would if I could. I actually went and looked in our manual to double check about the monitor after your post and yeah that person was incorrect. Now unfortunately since it is over 19" we aren't allowed to pack it. I apologize for not asking how big it was earlier and addressing that part of the issue. It is a more recent clarification to the rules. In the past it was at the discretion of the person if they want to pack a large monitor or not. If it is under 19" we can pack it. So with that part he was right.

Monitors are inherently fragile so they fall under our limited liability clause. Normally you can declare up to $50,000 per package for the declared value. Things that we have a limited liability on caps that at $1,000 (such as antiques, jewelry, tvs, etc.). So for a monitor you can declare up to $1,000. Technically you could declare more but we're only going to pay out up to $1,000, and you would just be wasting money in fees. I don't know what monitor is worth that much so you would be covered anyways. Them flat out refusing to let you declare a value for it is incorrect. If you wanted you could call our customer service and complain but I'm not sure if you'd get anything out of it.

As for packaging costs its depends. We have a list of if you use this size box and its not fragile you charge x, if it is fragile you charge y. But a lot of it is up to the digression of the person ringing you out. As an example a 19" monitor I would probably charge around $20 to pack. The largest box we have (24x24x24) for a fragile packing is about $25 if I remember correctly, and a monitor is not going to be in something that big.

As far as what USPS and UPS charge for things honestly I don't know. It is something I've been meaning to find out. I do know as far as shipping costs that UPS ground is more expensive and slower than FedEx ground.

I'm sorry you had a less than stellar experience with us. =\ We (as I'm sure with all large companies) do our best to make sure you get the same service and experience in every location through out the country, but sometimes it doesn't always work out.

Pirusu

Vesty has a lot of awesome information, and if you can afford it, I'd definitely choose FedEx over any other carrier.

That being said, I had a friend who moved across the country, shipping most of her stuff via Greyhound. I haven't looked at their rates or anything, but it's just another idea.