Shipping A Large Projector - Best Way?

[avhaven]

Hi folks.

I've got a large commercial projector that I'd like to sell, but I don't have a box for it.

This thing weighs over 50lbs. and would need a box at least 28"x24"x10". I looked at Amazon for a box and found nothing. ULINE has some that would work, but you need to buy at least 10.

I could list it with local pickup only, but I know that would severely limit my opportunities.

Are there places that would pack this up for me? Would the UPS Store do it?

Thanks.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

If you list it with local pickup you will have far less risk should you sell this item.

Should the buyer have a problem, it could cost you two way shipping, as well as the refund of the item cost.

Your estimate on the size to be shipped may be optimistic based on what is required to safely package this projector, and that will increased the cost of shipping.

The UPS store, if it packages this will charge you top dollar and the shipping cost through the UPS store will also be top dollar.

Remember there are very few listings which will qualify as final sale, as is and no refunds when you sell online.

[soh.maryl]

There are some items that are better suited to other venues, like Facebook Marketplace.

[ryry-jj]

UPS store, or a FedEx store, can pack up for you, but it will be expensive.   As sellers selling on line, we are all in the packing and shipping business, if we cant do that correctly & affordably, we cant sell successfully on line.  If you can't pack and ship it, sell it in a manor that will not require any packing and shipping

[dryophelia]

@avhaven 

Determining DIM weight. https://ir.ebaystatic.com/pictures/aw/shipping/DIM_Weight_client_R6.

Imagine yourself picking up a

32”x24”x14” box weighing 50lbs.  

[fm2000]

You really, really should sell it local pickup only. Shipping an item that large (dimensional size) will cost a fortune, and you put yourself at risk for an "adjustment" (real or imagined) which could be financially devastating (that is not hyperbole, FedEx can assess a penalty of over $1000 if your package is larger than they say you claimed and it crosses a threshold into "freight" territory.) Some here have had false "adjustments" like that, and it is a total nightmare to deal with, if you can get it resolved at all. You will also have to pay FVFs on that expensive shipping you charge the buyer (and possibly fees on sales tax changed on the shipping you charged the buyer as well, depending on the destination state.)

If you must ship it, the FedEx or UPS store can pack it for you. Despite it being expensive, it is really the only option if you want to ship it. If it is broken and UPS or FedEx pack it for you, THEY are on the hook for it. If you pack it and it breaks, they will deny any insurance you buy for it and claim it was your fault for not packing it good enough. The cost to have UPS or FedEx pack it may be the same, if not cheaper, than buying 25 of those huge boxes from Grainger (especially with the hefty shipping charge they tack on for "small" orders.)

Packing an item like a commercial projector is really a job for a professional.  If you have never packed an item that large and that fragile, it is very bad idea to try doing it yourself. The size, fragility and high value of the item would make having them pack it well worth it. I'd still at least try and sell it locally first, though, and offer shipping as a last resort.