Shipping fatigue and your audio habits

Isn’t Pirate Ship simply a third party broker that connects you with other shipping companies?  My understanding is that they are sort of like Bikeflights for bicycles, or Trivago for hotels.  Sure, they offer convenience and low rates, but they don’t insure directly themselves (do they?) and I doubt they would assist in resolving a dispute over shipping damage.  I know an audio equipment manufacturer that swears by them and, while appreciating lower pricing and convenience, I don’t see how they would be any help whatsoever in the event of a dispute.

On another subject, regarding The UPS Store, our nearby UPS distribution center customer counter (which was excellent!) closed down last year so I started using a new, nearby UPS Store that opened around the same time.  It is the worst, to the point where I now drive farther to use an actual FedEx store where pricing, communication, and support are all way better.

I have had some success with reduced shipping at a Parcel Monkey.  Have used them a number of times over the years with selling used hifi equipment and it has gone quite smooth.

I had to ship a large set of crated and palletted speakers this year and freight costs were pretty extreme. I found freightquote.com which saved the buyer and me a lot of money and works like a charm. 

I have a lot of gear I’d like to sell, but haven’t for a variety of reasons. Mainly, it’s the PITA aspect of having to box, pack, ship (yep, shipping and insurance is absolutely nuts!), but also having to wait and wonder if the equipment made it out safely. I’ve been on both the receiving and sending end of equipment damaged in transit and dealing with the shipping company is never a good thing.

Shipping is out of control price wise as is everything else.i hope it all calms down over the next 12 months. No one has any more pride in thier work it rare these days. Until then enjoy the music