Packing Instructions

Boxing and Shipping Instructions
 for cartridges and equipment

CARTRIDGES:

All cartridges sent to us for inspection or repair MUST be packaged correctly - we will not assume any damage for cartridges not secured or not   shipped properly - Please use original cartridge boxing and stylus guard - make sure the guard will NOT come off during transit. DO NOT wrap your cartridge in tissue, cotton or foam only as that will damage the cartridge! If you do NOT have a proper cartridge shipping box, please call us and we can ship one to you at a nominal cost.

CLASSIC ELECTRONIC PACKING:

NOTE: If you are shipping a McIntosh, turntable, heavy amplifier or any delicate unit, call and ask for Mark BEFORE you ship: (914) 739-2885 or email mark@sound-smith.com.


We love your equipment as much as you do. To protect it, it must be double boxed as follows: Wrap the unit with large bubble wrap only (1" bubbles – no packing peanuts!) until there is 4- 6" of cushioning around the unit, and then place in box 1. Lean more towards the 6" thickness if the unit is heavy! Use 3" minimum of any type of cushioning material between box 1 and box 2.

If the original box and fillers are available, double box as well with 3" of cushioning between original box and box 2. Following this procedure will protect your shipment. We strongly suggest that you insure your shipment ($1,000 minimum suggested) – insurance is very inexpensive. Following our packing procedure is critical for assuring insurance validity. We therefore reserve the right to charge you for re-boxing if you did not box it in accordance with our guidelines.

Reel to Reel (Open Reel) Boxing Instructions


There are a few important considerations:

1) Protect the spindles! Spindles are the shafts that come out of the reel tables (the platforms that the reels rest on). The easiest thing is to use 10” hub adaptors if your machine takes 10” reels, and you have these adapters. If not, then obtain a cardboard mailing tube about 2.5” in diameter, and cut off two lengths, each being just slightly longer than the spindles. Place them onto the spindles, and stuff foam or newspaper into the hole, to keep them in place. This will protect them if the machine is shipped face down.

2) Using 1” bubble wrap only (this is the bubble wrap with 1” diameter bubbles), wrap the machine fully and snugly so that there is a 6” minimum thickness of bubble wrap on all sides. When you wrap with bubble wrap, make sure the bubble side faces towards the machine, smooth side of the wrap faces out. Tape the wrap well with packing tape.

3) Use a strong shipping box. Please note that UPS has a “magic” number for box size. They call the longest dimension the “length” and add that to two times the other two dimensions. If that number is equal to or less than 130, you are OK. If not, then you may want to consider another shipping service.

4) Do not use a “Mailboxes” or UPS shipping store or agent to pack your equipment – they charge lots of money for packing, and place a surcharge on shipping and insurance costs. Always pack the unit yourself, as these services often do not follow any packing instructions you give them.  Please go directly to UPS itself to ship your package.

5) Insurance: UPS provides special handling for any box insured for $5,000. They will not use ramps or the like if you insure to that level. We think it is always a wise move. Their charges for insurance are $3.50 per $1000, so this costs $17.50 if you go directly to a UPS facility.

6) Place the unit in a strong box, and fill the remaining space with any type of normal packing material (peanuts, balled up newspaper, bubble wrap, etc). Make sure when you are done that the box is tightly packed with no wiggle room.

7) Write our RA number on the outside of the box. If you do not have an RA#, contact us first to obtain one. (call and ask for Mark : (914) 739-2885 or email mark@sound-smith.com.)  Please include a letter inside with the unit with your name, address, phone numbers, and a list of the problems you are having with the unit in symptom form please!

How to Ship

A "Mailboxes" outlet can ship for you, but often do not pack gear properly at all, and they charge quite a bit for their poor work and place surcharges on everything. Either give them our specific packing instructions, or do it yourself! UPS will pick up from your location for a $5.00 one time fee, which is very convenient. To save $$, call UPS yourself, box, insure and ship it from home or work!  UPS telephone is 1-800-742-5877. They take charge cards – all you need are the box dimensions  and weight. The Post Office, DHL, FEDEX and Airborne are other options.

If you cannot find boxes, we can design and ship them to you!

UPS Guidelines: UPS uses the magic number 130. The longest dimension (inches) of your box is the length. Add the length to twice the height, and twice the width. If that number is 130 or less, UPS is OK. If the number is higher, call us for help!

Please write your RA# on the outside of the outer box. If you do not have an RA#, contact us first to obtain one.

Our shipping address:
The Soundsmith Corp.

8 John Walsh Blvd., Suite 417

Peekskill, NY 10566


NOTE: Removal or any sign of tampering with any tamper label absolutely voids any and all warranties. Walk-in customers must sign our "paid form" acknowledging both their payment and function of the unit at the time of pickup. This form also includes a statement indicating the physical condition of the unit and the understanding that the warranty is dependent on the status of the tamper labels.

Units left for 90 days or more are subject to storage charges.

Contact: (914) 739-2885 / mark@sound-smith.com