Shipping Material
How do you ship long guns ? is there special un-marked boxes or tubes available that can be purchased at a office supply store ? I have a rifle that a guy wants (have'nt sold it yet) but have no idea how to box and package it up and don't want to "make-up" a homemade box, never had the original box so that idea is out. Any tips will be appreciated greatly. [;)]
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There are box companies which sell boxes in large or small quantity for fairly reasonable prices but if you have ever had to purchase a single box at some sort of outlet store you will learn that they are surprisingly expensive. Walk into UPS and buy a shipping box to fit your rifle and it may well cost nearly as much as the total shipping charge! Most of us who ship firearms regularly are on near constant lookout for good shipping boxes and often have favorite places like stores that sell golf clubs or patio furniture (outdoor umbrellas are sized nicely). Looking around in the trash bin of a local sporting goods store may also give good results...Unless of course they have a cardboard compactor [:(!]. It is cheaper to ship using a shorter box so if the rifle can be disassembled this could well save you a buck or two over shipping full length. 0 -
go to local gun shop many times they have customers that don't want the BOX You don't need to tell them you sold the gun Just say you need to ship it . 0 -
Check also with a local gun shop, many actually have cardboard boxes made to ship long guns in, mine charges something like six bucks for the box.
However, what I usually do is check with thrift stores and pawn shops for old hard gun cases, usually able to pick them up for under ten bucks, sometimes places like big 5 have them on sale new for not much more. The hard case adds a bit of weight, not much, but is so much more secure. I usually offer the option to the buyer to ship in a hard case, he pays for the case and I pick up the extra mailing cost. Since a long gun can ship via USPS Priority it isn't a lot more and then I use both bailing wire on the locking holes and duct tape over the case. Never had a problem.
Dan R0 -
The way I usually ship, is go to Wal-Mart, and get the least expensive hardcase(usually under $20.00), the rifle will fit in. If it does not have the cardboard box it was shipped in, then I duct tape around the case, where the latches are, with several layer's, then put the shipping label on, and send it.
Who knows what is in the case...it could be a fishing pole, telescope, or any other matter that you don't want damaged. A cardboard box, the size of your rifle, will also look like...well a gun box, but offer less protection.
Midway does carry boxes for guns(or they used to).
Best0 -
Junkballer,
You can buy boxes made for shipping rifles through Brownells and Sinclair's. Yes, they're expensive but so is everything sold by these two companies.
If you plan on selling a few items, I suggest looking up Uline online since they have a firearms box size but you will have to order a few at a time. Usually it's easier to find a buddy that has an account with them to place an order. Otherwise, set up an account and order away. Don't forget to buy bubble wrap and great tape to close the box. The biggest error I see from clients is in packaging. Don't think CHEAP, think of the value of the item and the hassle of replacing the item, if you can.
Best.0 -
You can also check with sporting goods stores and ask them if they have any boxes that golf clubs came in. The length is right in most cases and the driver heads on clubs now days are as big around as a rifle without a scope. Go to WalMart and buy some pillow stuffing about $4 a bag. Place it at the top and bottom of the box and you won't have a broken butt stock or a screwed up muzzle. That is the best shipping protection on the planet. 0 -
I use the rigid plastic gun cases with foam lining. I don't bother to put the case in a box unless it comes in a box. I secure it closed with plastic electrician ties. Unless you have a very sturdy corrugated paper box it will bend. Bubble wrap or styrafoam chips provide very little protection against the whole box being bent. 0 -
A big thanks to everyone that responded, great ideas and advice, was'nt sure if this question would even be allowed in here since it was'nt a technical issue, thanks to Gun broker for allowing it to stay. JBaller 0 -
Junkballer,
All of the members try to handle every question posted here on Ask the Experts. Rarely do we move or delete honest questions seeking honest answers and opinion. Questions about shipping are an integral part of the forums because of how we relate to the Auctions. I'm glad you got some helpful information
Best.
Herschel,
quote:I use the rigid plastic gun cases with foam lining. I don't bother to put the case in a box unless it comes in a box. I secure it closed with plastic electrician ties. Unless you have a very sturdy corrugated paper box it will bend. Bubble wrap or styrafoam chips provide very little protection against the whole box being bent.
I always appreciate getting a chuckle from some of the responses offered by our members. This one provided a good one for me.
I am often torn between offering the safest and proper methods of shipping or suggesting the more frugal approaches. But I am frequently taken to task because of the expense of the best suggested methods. Then when I have found and successfully tested a frugal approach, I again am told outright that it is undependable or unsafe.
Here's a little background:
We ship hundreds of rifles a year with individual values of $4,000 - $8,000/each. These will be shipped in the better plastic cases inside a cardboard container. This method has been witnessed, verified and approved by all three companies; the Post Office, Fed-X and UPS. Unfortunately, UPS has refused to stick by their agreement, causing some consternation for clients who request them as a shipper.
I personally had to ship a 'collection' of daily shooters 1200 miles across country on short notice from a state where I had no connections. The Uline folks were very helpful with their suggestions, even managing to get the boxes of choice to my location overnight. The bubble wrap came from Sam's Club along with the packaging tape used to secure the wrap and then seal all of the boxes. All three carriers (Ground Service) were utilized so I wasn't caught with all my eggs in one basket.
End result:
All 32 long gun boxes arrived as promised by each carrier and in great condition. Sure the cardboard showed some wear from handling and those stupid conveyor systems but every one was still sealed. None were bent, spindled, folded or mutilated by any of the carriers.
Unfortunately this hasn't been a singular event which then might have urged you to suggest something like 'one time lucky'. This occurs about 3-4 times a year now for the last 4 years and has been done in the very same manner each time, with the very same outcome. Excellent boxes and perfect contents delivered on time in great condition.
Two caveats:
Do not rely on this method if you are shipping your prize Holland and Holland double rifle.
Do not think that I skimped on either the wrap or the tape because I didn't. There was no movement from the contents in any of the boxes when I finished.
Final remark:
When I ship custom rifles, I rely on the expensive custom cases or products such as Storm/Pelican lockable foam lined cases or the all-aluminum lockable cases.
Best.
ADDED:
I was most certainly not chuckling at your predicament. The chuckle was for the obvious no win when posting suggestions for the members. I state one thing and someone takes exception even when the comparison is invalid.
quote:Obviously you are a high volume shipper and your opinion would be more valid than mine. Perhaps I am just unlucky.
That most assuredly is NOT my point at all!
Volume has absolutely nothing to do with my statements. If I had one and only one firearm to ship each year I would take the same pains and experience to pack it safely and PROPERLY.
I feel bad that you were on the receiving end of poor packaging. Just because your shippers didn't understand how to pack properly doesn't mean my suggested materials and procedures are bad. Rather, your shippers were at fault for being uninformed (or ignorant) as to how to SAFELY and PROPERLY pack your firearms. Blame them not the materials.
My point is that categorical condemnation of some shipping materials and procedures is wrong. Not everyone has access to strong cases costing $300/each to ship a firearm. Nor are they able to build that cost in the price of a firearm in many situations. I certainly couldn't (and can't) afford 32 Storm cases to ship a friend's personal firearms.
Cardboard boxes and bubble wrap are perfectly acceptable as packing/shipping material when they are used properly with accepted packing/shipping procedures. Check with UPS, Federal Express and the Post Office if you doubt me. Be sure to read and understand that little circular label on the flap of cardboard boxes. That label contains the specification of that box and what it will stand up to. This is the label that UPS, Fed-X and PO use to discriminate claims with. Be sure to buy the appropriate boxes.
Always be sure to follow the ATF shipping guidelines and rules.
Best.0 -
nononsense, I didn't chuckle when I received a rifle packaged in a pasteboard box with chips around the rifle and the barrel protruding through the end of the box. Neither did I chuckle when I received a rifle wrapped in bubble wrap in a pasteboard box with the stock broken in half at the pistol grip. Obviously you are a high volume shipper and your opinion would be more valid than mine. Perhaps I am just unlucky. 0
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