Flower's Sump/Fuge Build

monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
from what I gathered, it was taken to a UPS store and they packed the item themselves. The "sucks to be you" would fall onto the UPS store and not acrylic. I seriously doubt that the UPS store would just pass along the "sucks to be you" as that would be moronic. When you pay professionals to pack something for you, you go into it assuming they know what they are doing and will do it right. I think the better "fill" for this package should have been those "air pillows" as opposed to styrofoam peanuts. either way, its still horrible service and the handling of the object definatly falls into the category of, "WTF were they doing to it?"
 
slice

slice

Active Member
If that is true; that The UPS Store did this package, then all manner of evil should fall on their head. I assumed (there is that word again) that UPS did not do this packaging as it is clearly unsuitable.
Oh, and those "air pillows" should only be used as "void fill", not as a cushioning medium. Also unsuitable.
 
slice

slice

Active Member
I read that post but did not put 1+1 together. The pic showing the Lowes box threw me off. Loose fill *might* be OK for the packaging around the inner carton inside the outer carton of a chassis pack, but on its own, is unsuitable, it compresses and migrates during the vibration of shipment.
This UPS person needs to bone up on their own packaging guidelines, and should be held responsible. OK, I'm done preaching.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/900#post_3328009
I read that post but did not put 1+1 together. The pic showing the Lowes box threw me off. Loose fill *might* be OK for the packaging around the inner carton inside the outer carton of a chassis pack, but on its own, is unsuitable, it compresses and migrates during the vibration of shipment.
This UPS person needs to bone up on their own packaging guidelines, and should be held responsible. OK, I'm done preaching.
I totally agree....as I said earlier...to someone...LOL...As much stuff as I receive ups/fed exp...even usps.....I have never recevied anything so flimzy
I have had items packed so tight with sturdy styrofoam that I had a very hard time removing them from the box..
I think the packing place did a poor job also....
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/880#post_3327996
I cannot tell you how heartsick I feel over this, for several reasons. First, the obvious reason, the damage from shipping, the loss of such loving hard work and anticipation of success.
I am loath to make this post. By no means is it intended to impune.
It never occurred to me to ask the basic question "How are you going to ship it?" I assumed it would be taken to somewhere like The UPS Store and let professionals be responsible for packaging.
I have been a Packaging Design Engineer for 28 years, with a collection of design awards on my wall, yada, yada...
If my interpretation of the pictures are correct, the item was packed in a single wall carton with loose fill. Had I seen this package before it had shipped, I would have advised with near certainty that it would not survive. It appears that the corner of the package took a hit. Single wall corrugated will crush without ******** support. Loose fill migrates away during a drop, exposing the packed item to the full, or near full impact. Corner drops are the most dangerous.
A heavy, relatively fragile item such as this should be packed in a tight fitting carton with foam. This carton should then be packed in another carton with corner supports such as corner blocks.
This method is shown and described on the UPS site through the Packaging Advisor:
http://www.ups.com/packaging/?loc=en_US
This style of pack is called a "chassis pack" and looks like this (grabbed from the UPS site)

I hate this post. I let you down for not bringing this up sooner. I could have contributed.
Seeing the packaging method and nature of the packaged item, UPS may very well reply with "Unsuitable Packaging by Shipper" along with a "hate it for you" sympathy letter.
I almost did not post this, I hate it, but I had to.
I am so very sorry. Perhaps I can be of service for the re-build.

Acrylic51 WORKS for UPS, that's why he is so upset. He also had a UPS employee pack it up, he didn't do it himself. I personally think it should have been shipped flat and not stood on end..but that didn't help the refugium and it was shipped right sideup not on it's side so I guess it wouldn't matter.
No way can he afford to re-build this, in time or money. He did this one for free, and the refugium was already #2. 3 months of his life went into this and now it's gone.
I still want to contact the media, because they would make a big todo about how sweet everyone was in being involved with the build as a human interest story, and some possitive joy may yet be gleened from it..
It has a damsel in distress, a whole village of people working together and a knight in shinning armor and now the villian UPS...maybe they could make a movie..
 
slice

slice

Active Member
I design, build prototypes, and drop test packaging for a living. I could have easily shipped out a custom package. I sure wish I had.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/900#post_3328053
I know my part in that lineup, I am the village idiot, LOL. In terms of experience with all this stuff.

As cute as that may sound, it isn't so. Everyone in my poem contributed, and should very proud in spite of what happened to the packages...you are all heros in my book. It may not have ended as we thought it would, but I have to tell you...The hearts of my cyber friends are solid gold.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/900#post_3328039
I design, build prototypes, and drop test packaging for a living. I could have easily shipped out a custom package. I sure wish I had.

I'm not so sure even a cutom package job would have been able to withstand the gorillla that got a hold of my stuff. I was just talking to Shawn...back in the day my grandfather was having trouble with thugs on our block breaking windows. He put acrylic up instead of glass in the windows...when the kid threw the next brick it bounced and nearly hit him in the head, and he was standing 10 to 15 feet away....and it didn't break or even crack!
So what kind of force did it take do what they did to my sump?.. I tell you, with a hammer I couldn't do so much damage.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Round #1 with UPS.
They told me on the phone they could do things faster if I did one of the following:
Give them my packaging and damaged goods for them to examine at their facility. I said no because that was my proof, I tried to give them Shawn’s number to ask him, since it was a one of a kind custom thing...they didn’t want to call him (cowards)
Then they said I could I submit pictures, I have taken a bunch of pictures so I stupidly said yes. The lady said to follow the instructions exact. This is the e-mail she sent to me of instructions:
First, let me apologize for the damage to your package and thank you in advance for your help in resolving this matter.
In order to adequately assess the damage and provide a timely resolution, we will need approximately 7 pictures of the packaging material and the damaged item(s). Please provide digital pictures of the following:
· A picture to show the damaged merchandise, inside the original box, with all of the original cushioning (picture should show the placement of the merchandise and packaging inside the box)
· A picture of the packaging material used inside box (e.g. bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, cardboard dividers, etc.)
· A close-in picture of the shipping label with tracking number (please zoom in enough to read the detail)
· A close-in picture of the box manufacturer’s certificate (BMC), if available. The BMC is a round stamp that details either the bursting strength of the box or th edge crush rating of the box. The BMC is generally found on a bottom flap on the outside of a corrugated cardboard box.
yle="font-size: 10pt">· A picture of the damaged item.
· Two pictures displaying all 6 sides of the package (1 photo should display the top and 2 sides, the 2[sup]nd[/sup] photo should display the bottom and the opposite sides).
· Dimensions of the box including the package height, length, and width provided in the body of the email.
When I saw the e-mail I called her right back…there is no way, I can’t get this thing back in the box just like it was originally. I can tell already this is going to bad.
I
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
So what did she say when you called her back? Flower...with ALL the pics you have.....I do not think you will have an issue
BUT...doesn't the shipper have to file the claim? Since he insured it? Not sure how all this works
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/900#post_3328128
So what did she say when you called her back? Flower...with ALL the pics you have.....I do not think you will have an issue
BUT...doesn't the shipper have to file the claim? Since he insured it? Not sure how all this works

They really didn't care about the damage. They wanted me to RE-PACK it like it came so they can see that, they wanted the UPS sticker the that was on the box, they wanted me to find the label where it says how much weight the box can handle and it's crush whatever is...that sort of thing.
The original fellow just came to my door. He said he had to see for himself. I showed him everything and even choked on my tears as I explained what it was and all the effort made to give it to me.
He said someone is going to pick it up tomorrow...and he wanted me to re-pack it. I told him I couldn't do it. I would have to remove a bunch of peanuts and then put the sump in the box and then refill it. The sump can't be lifted without doing even more damage, if it were to fall they will claim it didn't happen from them that I dropped it. It isn't going to go like that, I refuse to handle it further. I have pictures of it sitting where it is too, in case they drop it or do more damage lifting it. These pieces are not light, Shawn made them heavy duty.
It is all about the package not what is in it or the damage. I'm so, so glad Shawn had a UPS employee pack it.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I would not give them anything unless Shawn tells you too....LOL....and I would make them sign for it in blood....and take pictures of the person taking it
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Sorry, but Christy said they would inspect it at your place. These idiots will do whatever to avoid taking responsibility for anything. I woul forward her all these pics and the others you didn't post, and any other info needed they would be expending, time, energy and money to inspect. You are correct flower you pack it wrong blame is on us!!!!
To an earlier post!!! Regardless on end, flat!!! Total b$llsh$t!!!! Sorry your expertise might be in testing, but how much industry time do you have in my line of work as far as freight? Regardless if arrows or what not is on a box designating it's correct orientation that usually goes ignored!!! I see hazmat material thT is flipped upside down or sideways!!!! Why??? Because they want blocked cubes walls. We have also use smaller packages to block between larger heavier freight to keep it from sliding or shifting? Is that correct??? Heck NO.... But I see it daily!!!! Just like when a customer pays extra to have hi freight "top loaded" and it's a crate. In the business we will stack on it regardless, what instructions are unless your a big shot company!!! Oohhhhhh and how about when the skids or freight just quite doesn't fit in the last spot of the trailer!!!' we ram it with a forklift or back into it to squish it a tad bit!!!!
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I did file the claim!!!! The shipper actually becomes the UPS store that shipped it!!!!
Flower you have plenty of pics to validate the claim!!!
 
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