Shipping Advice for a Pedestal Fan

[reversajet]

I am looking for advice on the best way to send a fan this size from Pennsylvania to California. It's located near I-80 so it's an easy hop on for a mover. My dilemma is whether to separate the head from the pole/base. To make it more complicated the pole is welded to the base, and the top sheet metal (sides and back) are extremely fragile and I want to avoid the inevitable hassle with FedEx and USPS mistreatment.
Given that most private firms are operating with limited exposure to the public, do you advise a major van line or just hand it to UPS for packing & shipping? I recall some of you had success with washers and a certain door-to-door carrier. Appreciate your input.

 

[sarahperdue]

Take it apart

With my experience shipping similar items—that have a big, heavy part attached to a fragile part—it’s the only way to go. Can you remove the body of the fan from the “U” of the stand?

Sarah

 

[reversajet]

Agreed

Yes, the top separates at the chrome collar. In speaking with Yellow Freight, they recommend palletizing the pieces, base on top of head in 2 crates. And, he said it could be transferred as many as 5 times at different cities, end up on its side, and (seriously) "if there's a way to drop it, they will."
I'd feel better at least if a carpenter could crate it.
Any idea if a furniture or appliance store might have a suitable box?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Isn't it better to let the shipper do the packing? Isn't that the way that they are responsible for the wreckage at the other end and you can collect your one cent on the dollar insurance?

 

[lowefficiency]

Not always, Tom. In cases like this, a shipper would never disassemble an item for safer shipment, as that could in itself be considered "damage" to the item. For items not available new, you also can have quite a hassle proving value if/when an item is damaged and you need to make a claim... so it's worth it to package it yourself, to make sure it is done right.

Mike- have you considered one of those places that does the "foam-in-place" packaging? I think just simple crating wouldn't be enough for this, as you could end up with a very sturdy crate, with a smashed fan inside it. A foamed box for the first layer, with something sturdy around it, could be a very strong and safe packaging option.

 

[reversajet]

Foam option

Thanks Dave, that is just what I think would work. Mayflower quoted $500 to crate and palletize but without witnessing the process it could all backfire. Will keep all informed with progress.