[78-L] Chinese Shipping

[David Lennick]

This is all very encouraging......not!

Getting records FROM China can be just as crazy. I bid on a couple of 60s 78s 
of those wonderful "Chairman Mao We Love You" songs on two occasions. First 
ones arrived in great condition. Second package, same seller, the discs were 
packed between two two-inch thick slabs of hard foam, but exposed at the edges, 
so naturally they were damaged (and one lp from the same guy looked as if it 
had been played on an acoustical gramophone). Compensation? HA!

dl

On 6/15/2013 10:49 PM, Matthew Balcerak wrote:
> I live in China! I am also American, so I like to think a *little* more
> sensible than some of the people here.  If a record ever arrives broken to
> me (god forbid) I would take personal responsibility for living in a
> country with a retarded postal system.
>
> Here are a few examples of what their crazy post office does.  They can
> open up your package... and then repack it in a totally new box!  (There is
> no guarantee that the guy you have the claim with even got your actual
> box...)  The packages are delivered on motor bikes (nothing wrong with
> this) but the drivers often sit or stand on boxes.  They certainly always
> get used as makeshift chairs during their lunch break.  Boxes are tossed
> around like fish at a fish market, but often with no one to catch them.  I
> have had boxes arrive looking perfect (usually from Hans, you are a packing
> genius) and I have had packages arrive beaten, battered, torn, covered in
> tape, opened, in new boxes that the seller didn't send, marinating in rain,
> with cigarette burns and the list goes on.
>
> That said, I have purchased over 200 records in the last two years, and not
> a single one has arrived broken.  Am I lucky, ohh yes. I had one box arrive
> so badly damaged, it was leaking peanuts and the corner of my records were
> visible.
>
> Advice: best thing to do is the double box.  Also, I always get at least 5
> to 10 records shipped at once. Less chance of bending.  Something to do
> with your trash records anyway, and maybe the buyer will randomly like
> one... Use much more cardboard than you think is necessary.  Finally,
> packing peanuts seem more secure than bubble wrap. The post office will cut
> off the bubble wrap to see what is inside.
>
> Really just asume the worst will happen whenever you ship here.  But please
> don't stop... I still have to get my records from somewhere.
>
> -Matt-
> _______________________________________________
> 78-L mailing list
> 78-L at klickitat.78online.com
> http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l
>
>