Does shipping a receiver with WC-22 case installed present challenges?

[MBuras]

Quick question for those that ship receivers all the time.

I have a great packing system for standard Marantz receivers (and others) and never experience damage in transit. But I've never shipped one with a wood case installed. Anything I should look out for? Should the case be shipped separately or installed? Any weak points?

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Mike

 

[bandg69]

Due to cost and availability of the wood case I would ship them separately. While the case is held on by the bottom screws, there is too much wiggle room to take a chance. At least that's what I would do.

 

[luvvinvinyl]

The folly of shipping in the wooden case is due to the gap between the receiver and the wood. Your packing is designed to eliminate movement, to protect the receiver. Shipping it in the case, regardless of how secure your packing method is, does not prevent the receiver from shifting inside the case, potentially ruining receiver, case or both.

The Packing and Shipping forum has threads with horror stories about gear damaged by improper packing. If you are selling both pieces, they need to be separated. They are worth it.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Terry DeWick says NEVER ship a McIntosh in its wooden cabinet. I don't know if you want to extrapolate that to a Marantz, but they both start with an M.

If the receiver can move at all inside the cabinet, it can tear the cabinet apart. As stated the packing material is to keep the item from moving inside the box.

 

[petehall347]

i have shipped plenty here in wood cases no problem .. but the handling here is maybe much less than there ..i seem to remember it moves about 5 times from here to destination . like van to warehouse to van etc .
with a personal courier maybe once or twice and better care . if its a large shipping company doing hundreds of miles pack it like its being dropped from 20 feet at least ..

 

[Steven Tate]

Just bought a new WC-22 reproduction off of the auction site, and I was extremely impressed with the shipping. The case was in a tailored felt bag and then properly boxed where it couldn't move. I was extremely impressed with the case and the packing.

 

[MBuras]

Thanks all for the info. And I learned there's a packing & shipping forum. Who knew? Not sure I can afford a custom felt bag but I will definitely ship separately.

 

[petehall347]

improvise the felt bag ..send a free t shirt or 2 with it .

 

[Bassblaster]

i would love to make a custom wood case for my Pioneer SX-636 just like that one

 

[Andyman]

Is the recipient willing to pony up for a second large carton? Many buyers are hesitant to pay for shipping; lot's think all it should cost is the actual shipping fees, or less, and don't want to pay for proper packaging.

That being said, it seems to me that a well secured case, wrapped tightly in bubble wrap and padded properly with sturdy stuffing, not foam peanuts, would travel well. The trick is to isolate and insulate. Do that well and it should survive most of the rigors of travel.

I've sent several this way with no issue.

 

[luvvinvinyl]

Andy, given that he wants to send a Marantz receiver, in a case, and the fastening is done with the machine screws through the feet, into the bottom of the receiver, I wouldn't trust mine to be shipped with the receiver inside the wooden case. Especially if it's a mid-size or larger model. The case is structurally designed to sit on a shelf, and support the weight on the feet, through the bottom. It's not designed to withstand shear forces. If it gets a reasonably hard hit, in the wrong direction, either the screws break, and the receiver rattles around inside, or the case bottom tears out. Either way, one ends up with damage to the case and/or receiver. If one is lucky, and it doesn't get that sideways hit, maybe it can escape unscathed. I wouldn't chance my 2270, for example, travelling inside the wooden case.

I'm not that lucky.

 

[jptinc]

Please never ship anything inside the wooden case. Even if it's well packed the the chances for damage are just to great.
We spend a lot of money on our hobby. Spend $30.00 or so more and be happy when it arrives, not disappointed.

 

[Richs_Trains]

I have received two units the the seller shipped inside the wood case and both arrived with major damage to the case (cracked joints and broken veneer). The units inside also suffered damage (bent face plates and broken screws). I always request the wood case be shipped separately, or at least the unit removed before shipping. There is way to much room to move around in the case and the weight of the unit stresses all the joints of the case during shipping.

 

[petehall347]

I have received two units the the seller shipped inside the wood case and both arrived with major damage to the case (cracked joints and broken veneer). The units inside also suffered damage (bent face plates and broken screws). I always request the wood case be shipped separately, or at least the unit removed before shipping. There is way to much room to move around in the case and the weight of the unit stresses all the joints of the case during shipping.

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looks like that was dropped from about 10ft ..plus not packaged correctly on the first place ..
i dont think it would have made it intact even with the case separate .

 

[Richs_Trains]

Actually managed to repair and refinish the wood case, straighten and re-glue the face plate, JB weld the broken face plate screw and then recap the Marantz. It looks pretty nice and unless you look at the underside frame, you wouldn't know it's been twisted.