Your basic rant

[ronbeaux]

I don't rant too often but today tested my limits of sanity. ALL I wanted to do was send a gun to Gene for a Turbo Tune. I said to my self, "I see where they got these really decent single rifle cases on sale at Cabelas for $20.00. No problem, I'll just buy one and tape it up and send it on it's way. Who cares if it gets back with a scratch on it??"  NOT!!! Took it in to the UPS shipping center and stood in line for 45 minutes only to here the words "That needs to be in a box" I said it is in a box, it's just not brown. They said "It doesn't lock" I said, well lets just tape the crap out of it and send it. Plus it's got this nice handle for the Delivery guy to grab it and carry to it's destination!. "Well, we won't be responsable for scratching it!" No problem, scratch it all you want, I only care about the inside!

Volume increase at this point, from both sides.

"We will not ship that without a box!" So I said. Let's make one and tape it up! "We don't make boxes!" "Take it to the UPS Store(15 miles away) and get them to package it for you and then come back." So I asked, "Why would I need to come back if they are going to box it? Can't I just have them ship it?!"

"No, they cannot ship anything gun related!"

Crap.

So I go to the UPS Store and the( I'll leave out a whole lot of negative comments here due to the fact that they would be detrimental to young ears) person behind the counter says that they don't have a box that size. Sooooo, I say, "Lets make one. There is a large pile of flat cardboard over there and we could just cut it to fit."

The response is classic. "I don't like making a box because it might scratch the case."

Square one.

So being the resourceful guy that I am I get this idea. I'll call the Gun Dealer and surely they will have a box. I mean, heck all the guns they got on display came in a box didn't they??

So I called them. No boxes.........

BUT. They said they give all their boxes to the Postal Shipping place right next door so check them out.

So the end of the rant is I went there and in 5 minutes it was on it's way and for only $20.00. Also had a great conversation with the owner dude who was real interested in airguns. We spent the next 30 minutes  jabbering until I had to go back to work.

AND IT"S IN A FREAKING BOX WITHIN A BOX!

[JOHNNY QUEST]

 I told ya they wouldn't ship it without a box.. dummy... Why do you think all airgun come double boxed... lol

[ronbeaux]

Ok. So you got me back for the steak pics. We are even.

[shadow]

Bummer buddy but UPS will ship airguns, that's how I ship mine , or as the lady down at my UPS called it "a BB GUN" !. Ed

[ronbeaux]

Yeah they shipped it. But it better be perfect with all the work done for them around here or forget it.

[shadow]

My UPS folk's are real layed back here. Ed

[ronbeaux]

My local delivery driver is wirlwind of action and Johnny on the spot, gun ho and all that. Them people behind the counter....... You got to poke them with a stick to see if they are still alive.

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

I just shipped a "BB Gun" to another member here that must remain "annonimous" for certain reasons?? :0  I used the "UPS Store" this time,, the sweet Lil "plump girl" was very helpfull,,she was HONEST & saved me money!! If my Buddy gets his new "antique lamp" by Thurs. or Fri. as prommised,, I will use them again!! Besides,,,, I think she "likes" me!! :p  Sorry to hear of Yer bad exp. today Ron,,, gotta say,, I think Randall hit the nail on the head though,,, tryin to mail sumthin in a gun case? DUMMY!!  Ya really should respect & listen to your "big brother!!  :p  Tim.

[TexasShooter72]

Can't tell you how many gun tuners have gotten "shower rods" via UPS, FedEx Ground, USPS from me.  Nowadays though I ship from where I work and so I don't have worry about parties on the other side of the counter asking me what's being shipped.

So...   here's the skinny:

*FedEx Ground... direct is the best way to go.  They don't ask questions and they ship all over the place.

*USPS...   NOT a good idea.  They irradiate, they x-ray and if anything suspicious passes through it either disappears completely or you'll get a phonecall from the Feds.  They're okay for parts and pieces but complete guns...   forget it, you'll lose money and earn yourself a criminal background check as the recipient.

*UPS...  shipping from a business is GREAT.  Shipping UPS from a residence or a UPS Store or Mom and Pop shop...  forget it.  They ask a bunch of questions, make you sign things and if there's any indication of the shipment in question being a shooter of projectiles- you're out of luck.

Mom and Pop shops and Shipping Annex shops...   not a good idea.  Be them Staples, FedEx/Kinko's, Loraine's Corner Ship...  what have you...  these parties will have you sign wavers, releases and legal documentation and are allowed by law to open the package if anything is in question and under the Patriot Act are required to turn in your information to the proper authorities.  THIS is what they do...   they're a bunch of brainless zealots following orders.

I mean, you won't get in trouble once the Feds figure out you're shipping a BB gun but they're capable of running you through the ringer until then!

Shipping from a business that ships regularly is the best way to go to avoid questions and confrontation.  

OR...   you're shipping shower rods!  Shower rods insured for $400!!!

Just my .02 cents!

Matt

[gamo2hammerli]

That's so bogus.  I've seen UPS deliveries where the package(s) were not in a box.  I.e luggage where the UPS label is wrapped around the handle.  Skis in their ski bag, hockey bags with their gear inside.....all had the UPS label wrapped on the handle.  And I've seen other weird-shaped packages not boxed....although in it's original plastic container....with the UPS label securely taped on the side.

I guess there's no hard rule on how a package is to be "boxed".....depends on the service counter person....    You're still lucky....I've read on GTA that some UPS counter people (USPS also) won't even take your package if the word "gun" happens to come out of your mouth.

[ronbeaux]

See. I knew if I posted this I would get all the info I needed to ship something in the future. Thanks guys!!! I got a whole closet full of shower rods...........

What also got my blood boiling was the question "What happened to your old box?" The gun is 14 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't keep empty boxes for 14 years!!!!

[RedFeather]

Ok, you had a bit of a run around but, in the end, they did you a favor.  Big discussion on the Yellow recently about shipping in unboxed gun cases.  Sometimes it is a dead give away for the contents.  Guns are desirable theft items.  And not all people like them.  "Oops!  I think I just backed over a package!  My bad!"  Cases  sound like good shipping containers but I still like to double box and pad the heck out of everything.  And there are some cases with plastic "pillars" that are known stock killers if the guns aren't secured so they don't move around.

PS - I use the local UPS.  When they ask what the contents are I tell them "sporting goods".    So far, no further questions.  If they ever do, then it's "air pump".  Hey, that's not a fib!    

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

Before I moved,, I was on a first name basis with my local Post Office employees,,they knew I was shipping & receiving airguns. (on a regular basis)  Helps to be "Friendly" & form some type of relasionship with your local "shipper of choice) Man I found me a new "Sweetie Pie" today,,, she is shipping my "antique lamp" to my Buddy PRONTO!! :p  I would NEVER try to go to a "walk in" & try to ship something in a "gun case" Ron,,,,,,,,,,,,In the words of your own Brother:::::: DUMMY!!!! LOL!! :0    :p   As Fred Sanford would say,,, Ya big Dummy!! Just funnin wiff Ya Buddy!! :p  OOOpppss,,,, Gotta go,,,, Randal is callin!! He He!! Tim.

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

I recomend if Ya are using a "shipper" Ya have not used before & they ask Ya what it is,,, LLAMF. (Lie Like A ??,,??) Just be nice though,,,you will certainly get more bee,s with honey than with,,,,, battery acid!! :p   (cant remember how that anowlogy went??)  Tim.

[fatback]

I agree with you RedFeather... I always ship UPS and say it's sporting goods. I never had a problem.