1. Most sax cases allow the sax to move around inside the case. To control this, I wrap the sax (inside the case) in bubble wrap.
Sometimes I can't wrap it completely but can place bubble wrap above and below; or can wrap the skinny end.
Also I stuff a little bubble wrap below the bow to keep the sax from sliding lengthwise. When you pick up the case and shake it, the sax should not move at all.
UPS hires special gorillas whose only job is to shake packages! It is important to frustrate the gorillas.
2. Also I bubble_wrap any loose accessories in the case such as mouthpieces and necks.
3. The case is then packaged so that no matter how much it drifts and is shaken, no part of the case can ever come in contact with the box it goes into. Sometimes this means wrapping all 8 corners in bubble wrap; sometimes I use styrofoam bumpers or small peanut_filled boxes.
The Postal Service hires special gorillas whose only job is to hit boxes with hammers, hoping that the impact will reach the item inside the box. These gorillas, too, must be frustrated as the only effect of the hammer is to jostle a styrofoam bumper.
4. As you may have guessed, the case then goes into a box (aforementioned in step (3) ). Sometimes I have to build a box this size.
The best source of boxes is the local music store. Trombone boxes are excellent.
5. The whole mix is seasoned liberally with styrofoam peanuts.
I once made the mistake of shipping with no neck plug. I stuffed the neck with a home_made styrofoam plug but I guess it fell out. The buyer received a horn that could not be played because of a bent octave key.
Sure, it was only a $10 repair job -- but how depressing to receive an unplayable instrument. Now I know: if the horn is missing its neck plug -- go buy one before selling the horn!
UPS or Post Office?
Advantages of UPS
- Nice on_line tracking at www.ups.com. By contrast, USPS doesn't have any online tracking, and if they lose a package they won't even do anything until it's been gone a month.
- No nonsense on insurance claims.
If they smash a package, they will come to your door to work out the insurance, and they pay reliably if slowly.
By contrast the post office likes to give you an insane runaround and to date they still haven't paid my insurance claim on an antique
that my wife bought in July 2000 which they smashed.
Advantages of USPS
- Less violent.
Consumer Reports did an interesting experiment where they mailed 10,000 packages
containing some dead weight and impact sensors. On arrival, if the package had received a violent blow, the
sensor would show it. USPS was substantially better than UPS or FedEx in the number of violent blows dealt.
so..... I don't see a real clear advantage here. If you don't have a preference, then I usually ship USPS because I'm always shipping
small items USPS for my wife and so it saves me an extra trip.