When I receive by either UPS or FedEx, I always want to my door service. Once, one of Fed Ex private contractors left 2 Very heavy (130 pounds each) speakers in my driveway, and I was home! I ran up to the truck as he was leaving and told the driver I wanted them brought to my door which means going up 5 steps to my side door. He laughed at me and refused, saying he was "too busy". I just received a very heavy McIntosh amp (160 pounds) in a humongous box and UPS cheerfully brought it to my side door. In all the audio equipment that has gone in and out of my home, only 1 time did I get any damage and that was mostly due to the extremely flimsy cardboard (I couldn't believe cardboard could be made that thin!) and that was speakers from Tekton..
Shipping by UPS
I have two Rythmik F12 subs on the way from Texas. Do I let them deliver them to the house or hold them at the distribution center and pick them up from there. I figure I will eliminate them from handling by two times but then I get to wrestle them in and out of my truck at about 85# each. The boxes always look pretty beat up when show up at the house and I’ve had stuff that was double boxed damaged. What to do.