Hey guys, so I’m hoping to sell my Model Cycles (I know I know getting rid of an Elektron device?
) and my Volca Drum. But I know basically nothing about good practices for shipping. And I don’t want whoever might buy them to get a box full of busted gear. I’ve have both original boxes, and bigger boxes to put those in, and I’m saving all the bubble wrap and packing stuff I can find. What else should I do? 
the Reverb guide on this is pretty good. you don’t have to use as much packaging material since you’re including the original boxes (which should “float” the items inside pretty well). I’d use a couple inches of bubble wrap around that and call it good.
Put cycles into box
Put box into bigger box
Put stuff in box so that smaller box doesn’t flap about
Take cat out of box as it might’ve jumped in for no reason
Tape it up
Put recipients address on front … make sure it’s correct
Put your address on side just in case
Weigh it and PAY for shipping
Throw in dustbin as that’s what ups will do
Or
Post it properly with tracking , take pictures of box with postage on it , take picture of tracking info / receipt.
Send images to recipient
At least here they have the guts to bring a completely demolished box to your door in the hope you will sign for it. ![]()
Everything above is good and I’d like to reiterate: STEER CLEAR OF UPS
The fucking worst.
This please.
Check with your buyer to see what they prefer.
Here in the SF Bay Area, UPS and USPS are both reasonably diligent and timely. FedEx ground is an absolute shitshow, and that may be unfair to shitshows. It took 2-3 weeks for a pedal to leave the SF sorting facility after entering. after a journey of a bit less than a week from east to west coast.
I could see the situation reversing elsewhere, so it makes sense to do some research.
Thanks for the tips everyone! In my end of Texas we usually don’t issues with UPS, but I’ll go with whatever the seller is cool with. So basically aim for a double layer of protection with absolutely nothing able to rattle about inside.
I always pack as if the box is going to be thrown, dropped from a two story building, and be dropped off in a puddle of mud in the bushes near the front porch where it will sit for three hours before being discovered by the recipient.
I once dropped off a package at USPS, made it very clear that it was ‘fragile’ (I had written on the box and asked the teller to stamp it again with a fragile stamp) and then had the teller toss it into the sorting bin.
Nice work UPS, but I’m pretty sure Thomann didn’t give them to you like this.

To be clear, this was their second attempt. The first one was much worse.
I think it’s worth taking a video and/or photos showing how the item is packed, so you’ve got evidence in case of any disputes

