[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /viewtopic.php on line 988: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone.
[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /viewtopic.php on line 988: getdate(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone.
[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/functions.php on line 4284: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /includes/functions.php:3493)
[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/functions.php on line 4286: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /includes/functions.php:3493)
[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/functions.php on line 4287: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /includes/functions.php:3493)
[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/functions.php on line 4288: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /includes/functions.php:3493)
Webster Telescopes Forum • View topic - packing/ shipping options ?
Webster Telescopes Forum
A Frendly Place for Serious Astronomers
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:19 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: packing/ shipping options ?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:17 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 4:25 pm
Posts: 20
Location: England
Jim/ Eric
I guess international customers might be particularly concerned as there's increased chance of damage occurring during transit. I understand that UPS do your crating & shipping and this is insured, with you recording pictures of the scope....I guess the ideal outcome is to not to have damage in the 1st place, and needing to diagnose, rectify, get compensation etc etc.

My question. Are there any shipping options or is it one-size-fits-all ? Maybe surcharge for extra fragile delivery etc maybe alternative courier or crating options ?

And further to what you'd normally do, are there any vulnerable parts (eg servo cat) that can be detached from the scope for shipping, with instructions/ video for the customer to re-fit them ?

Thank you
Jon


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Re: packing/ shipping options ?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:50 pm 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:25 am
Posts: 122
Rarely does anything get damaged by UPS. We have been dealing with the same UPS Store for years, so they have fine tuned their packing skills to match our products. The UPS Store often removes items like clamps or motors that they feel are likely to be damaged, and wraps them up separately.

They have to do a good job, because that kills UPS's favorite excuse for denying a claim:

UPS: Well sir, the package simply was improperly packaged.
Webster: Great, because you guys were the ones that packed it.
UPS: Oh.... Um.... let's get this claim started....



Usually scopes that are damaged are the big ones on wooden pallets. Yellow Freight sometimes decides to spear the crates with a forklift arm.

We have a shipper we have been working with lately that picks up the big scopes, crates them and ships them themselves. There is a tiny window for damage when they come to pick up the "bare" scope, but this is more than offset by the great crating job they do and the fact that they handle the entire transaction end to end.

International shipping is expensive enough without special options, but we always have the following available to us:

1. You can ship a sea traveling "container" with as much stuff as you can fit in it for about $2500. It is a giant metal box, so your pallets never get tumbled up side down or handled in any way until the customs inspectors open it in the final country.

It's a slow (2 months) but very secure way to ship items.

It's a big box, but it's all your own:

INSIDE LENGTH 19'4"
INSIDE WIDTH 7'8"
INSIDE HEIGHT 7'10"
DOOR WIDTH 7'8"
DOOR HEIGHT 7'6"
CAPACITY 1,172 ft³
TARE WEIGHT 4,916 lb
MAX. CARGO 47,999 lb


2. You can pay a freight consolidator to put your pallets, along with other people's pallets in a sea container and ship. The rates are cheaper because you are sharing the container.

Slightly slower because you sometimes wait a few days until a container is full.


3. You can pay for express or overnight UPS shipping. The less time a package is in the shipper's hands, the better.

Price is 2 to 3 times the normal rate, but it is very close to instant gratification time wise.

========

Some people work for companies that get tremendous discounts due to the volume of overseas shipping they do. It would be worthwhile to ask your employer if this discount can be extended to you (this is true even for shipments within the USA).

Shipping to some countries (i.e. Pakistan) is very expensive due to the insurance costs. Purchasing a separate "Merchant Marine" insurance policy can be much cheaper than paying UPS for insurance, and your scope will be insured against any peril for the next 6 months - no matter where you are in the world.

Finally, our scopes are built tough; with service in mind. We know scopes flip over in the wind. We know that pick-up truck tailgates don't always latch (please be careful Tom!). And we know that accidents just happen.

Everything is easily serviced and replaced. If you have basic mechanical abilities, a voltmeter and a standard toolbox full of tools, you are ready to maintain a Webster telescope.

Finally, remember that you paid for our legendary service when you bought the scope. We are the only major telescope company that offers 12 hour a day, 7 days a week phone support. Call us, we pick up!


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Re: packing/ shipping options ?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:00 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 4:25 pm
Posts: 20
Location: England
Jim, thanks for the detailed reply. The metal container / sea route without the freight consolidator is perhaps overkill for a smaller scope, if rarely anything gets damaged with UPS. The shipper you've been working with lately - maybe is an consideration, or UPS express; if you see a noticable difference with those options. I guess I follow up with you guys on the phone when the scope is done....
Jon


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Re: packing/ shipping options ?
PostPosted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:11 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:48 am
Posts: 80
Location: Detroit Michigan
Mike S just sent us a picture of his new 28" scope while crated, so I thought I'd post it and let everyone see what to expect upon delivery.

The top box is the UTA, the lower is the scope body, the long box is the trusses/wheels and finally the box closest to the door is the optics.


Attachments:
crates.jpg
crates.jpg [ 98.03 KiB | Viewed 21640 times ]

_________________
Eric Webster
http://www.WebsterTelescopes.com
Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron
ClassyDark by ayasha : © 2007 Stargates Styles
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group