[Bman]

Anyone with experiene shipping a 4-5 foot carving? I thought of using the large bubble wrap to wrap it up, which with several layers should protect it all right, but then what? UPS has restrictions on box size, if i could even find one that size. Kinda seems like a hassle at this point, but anyone here with ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Thor]

I ship from my gallery often. I always use double boxing. They require it and won't honor breakage insurance unless you observe their rules.

So, yes, bubble wrap around the sculpture, put it in a box, and then put the box it's in, into another box with about 2" of clearance filled with peanuts, or even wadded up plastic bags, newspaper, or anything else you can wad up in there.

Now, if they crush the box, there is nothing you can do to save it. That happened to one of my packages this season.

Also, ship it with a price tag declairing it's value. Then, there will be no worries about full price reimbursement should they have to pay for it.

4 to 5 feet can be shipped if it isn't over their weight limit, or if the accumulative inch from the square total hasn't been exceded. Find out what that number is before you create the box for it.
Good luck
Thor

[tcb16]

Hey Brian,

I've had a lot of success shipping items bubble wrapped and enclosed in plastic. It takes a lot of bubble wrap, I usually wrap it until the whole carving feels fluffy. For smaller stuff, I've used several large plastic bags over the bubble wrap, and a massive amount of packaging tape.I've never had any peices arrive damaged. This works especially well for odd shaped items, just be sure to brace any areas that may be brittle. If you post a pic of your carving or want to email it to me I'd be glad to help out with the bracing ideas too...Good Luck!

[Colin_Partridge]

I agree bubble wrap is the way to go. Then double box it if possible. I just recieved an order to ship a four foot carving to MN from Canada. After exhausting telephone calls the only one that would ship it was Fedex overnight express to the tune of $1455.00. The customer would not go for that USP would not ship it because it was a one of a kind art object. I did however hear that Greyhound Bus would ship it for me and they would pick it up at the house and deliver it at its destination for just over $200.00. You could give them a call maybe they would help you.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Or check a local freight company

[Bman]

Thanks to all who replied.

[Mark Gargac]

Check out this site for all kinds of cartons, boxes, tubes, and other shipping containers and supplies. www.uline.com

[Hugh P.]

I agree with all the information given, but didn't notice anyone mention, NEW CARTONS. Insurance will be void if old or used cartons are used for shipping. When I get in this fix with a large carving, I go to THE UPS Store, have them package and ship it, that way they can't get out of the insurance if your carving is damaged. Its expensive, but usually the buyer will agree to the cost, or sometimes I split the cost with they buyer. Also, I would reccomend ground shipping. I thought air shipping would mean less handling, therefore less chance of damage. Air shipping is moved around by ground shippers also.!!!! To the air port, from the airport to terminal, from terminal to customer. Some ground shipping between destinations without airports. your carving is usually handled as much by air as by ground. Although, air shipping is sometimes a little quicker. But not always. Just my 10 cents worth.

[Mark Gargac]

Hugh thats some good info. I have heard horror stories about folks who have shipped UPS , and had applied for thier insurance, and was not covered because they package the items and not UPS.

I like shipping U.S. al Service. When I ship rough outs and the such I usually do not get the insurnace. When I ship finished carvings, I always get the insurance. In fact I had a carving damaged in shipment, that I had packed , and I was compensated for the total amount of insurnace I had purchased.

BTW, www.uline.com, are shipping supply specialist's, and deal with only new supplys, cartons, boxs, foam paper, ect. In fact, even including the shipping, they have some real good prices. And like with most products purchased in volume, the pricing gets even better.

[Hugh P.]

Hey Mark, appreciate the link to the shipping supply co. Looks promising, I use USPS almost exclusively also. Good people to deal with to boot.