Fed Ex and UPS have packing guidelines required to qualify for insurance claims. I don't believe original boxes is one of them, but it might help (more on this below). There needs to be at least 2" of cushioning around the entire box. But here's the kicker, the package needs to be able to withstand a fall of at least 4'! In my opinion, no piece of heavy audio has a chance of that happening without some sort of exterior (or interior) damage. Shipping heavy items ground is very risky.
As for original boxes- I had a pair of mono blocks delivered to me both with damaged transformer covers. They were in the original boxes. But, they were heavy, and the boxes were old and very used looking. Plus the original boxes, even when new, were garbage. There was no cushioning at all at the top, just doubled up on the box flaps! Needless to say, no insurance coverage.
Zippyy-
"I bet they were shipped ground?"
How else are they going to arrive at your door?
What a stupid comment."
This is not a stupid comment. What Slikric3000 is saying that Fed Ex ground is probably the worst choice to make for shipping heavy items. And I agree.
Your other choices are Air or Freight. Freight, strapped to a pallet, is the best option for heavy items. Less risk for a human dropping it but still a risk of a fork lift puncture.
As for original boxes- I had a pair of mono blocks delivered to me both with damaged transformer covers. They were in the original boxes. But, they were heavy, and the boxes were old and very used looking. Plus the original boxes, even when new, were garbage. There was no cushioning at all at the top, just doubled up on the box flaps! Needless to say, no insurance coverage.
Zippyy-
"I bet they were shipped ground?"
How else are they going to arrive at your door?
What a stupid comment."
This is not a stupid comment. What Slikric3000 is saying that Fed Ex ground is probably the worst choice to make for shipping heavy items. And I agree.
Your other choices are Air or Freight. Freight, strapped to a pallet, is the best option for heavy items. Less risk for a human dropping it but still a risk of a fork lift puncture.