does anyone know where you can get those plastic tubes that you can use to send chanters in the post
Couldn’t one be fashioned out of PVC piping?
That really depends on what types of services are available in your area. For instance, we have a store here that sells everything and anything to do with shipping and mailing. Another source might be an office supply shop, as businesses often have similar mailing needs. As Joseph has suggested, you could use pvc pipe, but a big hardware store might also have many other types of plastic tubing available.
djm
Buy a 2" diameter poster tube, cut it in half.
Wrap the chanter in bubble wrap, insert into tube, tape the ends.
Only thing left to do is add postage.
PVC would weigh a lot more than a cardboard tube, I would think, driving up the shipping cost.
yep. I’ve done this several times back and forth with the same tube. No problems whatsoever.
When I got mine (from Brian Howard) he sent it in a rectangular plastic tube with a lid that concertinas in and out to suit different lengths. Very strong and compact. His whistles are supplied in a similar, but square ,case. I don’t know if he sells them but you could Email him? www.howardmusic.co.uk
Hi UP Folks;
Funny how a thing will pop up when one is thinking about doing it!
Earlier this evening I was trying to figure out how to send my chanter to Pat Sky in order to get it fitted for a reed. Tried a 15 inch section of 3 inch PVC pipe - $48.00 to send slowly by Canada Post, according to an internet inquiry. Fee based on weight & dimensions.
Next, I tried a sturdy plastic box 14.5 inches X 10.3 in. X 2.5 thick. Cost will be $12.00 - $20.00. All numbers include insurance. Chanter fits nicely on the diagonal in my old Weed Warrior plastic box.
Actually, I might have more information on this subject for this forum.
I bought some used pipes recently that were sent to Canada from Michigan. One of the parts was damaged in shipment to the tune of $120 USD or so. The parcel was insured, HOWEVER, it might not have been professionally packed, so the insurance will likely be void!!
Problem also with who is responsible for the damage - U.S.P.S. or Purolator. I can see them right now pointing at each other and me being caught in the middle and losing out. The wheels are in motion, so we will see what happens.
I placed a claim with Purolator, however I’m not optimistic it will fly! Can’t take any action against U.S.P.S. because they will only deal with an American sender -I’m Canadian. So much for buying insurance! Not very helpful if you can’t collect!!
My guess is that small claims court will work OK. Most people would rather settle than pay an employee to drive hundreds of miles for a $120 claim.
Has anyone else had shipping problems like this!
Pat in Orillia, ON
I’m pretty sure that the way insurance works once the USPS agrees to insure it, the package is insured. From personal experience, this seems to be true. Last year I bought a Burke whistle from someone one Chiff, sent insured via USPS. When I got it, I was sort of dumbfounded and horrified–this delicate, thin walled composite whistle was mailed in a cardboard envelope with “FRAGILE” written on it. Needless to say, it was broken in half, but after a great deal of wrangling with the post office they paid the $35 to send it back for a replacement tube (note: it’s far, far easier to get insurance money if you declare something broken than if you try and fix it.)
In the end, it was paid for, and I can’t think of a worse packing job than that one. Of course, you should still talk to whoever is selling the insurance.
Gabe
If you consider the relative cost of replacing your chanter, drone, reg etc. shipping would be minor. I recently sent my K&Q chanter to BK to have him put in a new reed. I packaged the chanter in 4" PVC pipe and wrapped the chanter in small bubble pack. I then took the package to a UPS store and had them put it in a box and insured the item for $1500.00 USD. It cost around $35 USD to ship to BK. I also told BK to ship it back in the containers and I would pay for the shipping. This may seem extreme but do you really want to take a chance that your chanter or other pieces may be damaged and then you have to get with your pipemaker to put youin the que for a replacement?
I used to be in shipping/receiving business and if it can be broken, it will be especially if you don’t want it to happen. Murphy’s Law.
Item well padded and double boxed is essential of worry-free shipping. Item should be trackable and insured for full amount that you are comfortable with; doesn’t have to go overnight (to BK goes thru Boston and overnight is not possible from much of the country).
While PVC tubing adds weight and cost, it seems to be well worth it.
I agree with Jim.
Most of the chanters I’ve received have been bubble wrapped inside a cardboard tube usually 3 1/2" to 4" in diameter. Once a tube was partly crushed and it bent a key slightly. I was lucky it sustained no other damage.
However, I usually send out chanters in small a plywood sided box with foam + bubble wrap inner lining and double layer cardboard top and bottom. It’s strong, lightweight, and smaller than a many single thickness boxes with styrofoam peanuts as packing. I have no fear sending chanters in one of these wooden boxes.
Don’t forget insurance!
One more: I hate shipping via surface since it is not trackable and seems to take forever. Parcels are piled until full containers are made and then wait for the next ship.
Even parcel post in the US can be irritating. Shipping it with a predictable arrival date seems to be the best way to go. Overnight is not necessary.