How do I post my pride and joy to you?
If you are in the UK and the item weighs less than 10kg you can use Royal Mail Parcels. This basically uses the local postal delivery service and is quick and fairly safe. Various types of insurance levels are offered.
Your other option is to use a courier. In the UK, you have the choice of using Parcel Force and they can be accessed via the local post office.
You can also use a courier service, many offer home 'pick ups' and 'drop offs', but some only deal with businesses. I use Interlink Express and your nearest branch will be in your local directory or can be found on-line.
How much does shipping cost?
This will very much depend on the synth and your method of packing. Most synths can be shipped to me for around 15GBP to 30GBP. Insurance is often extra, although it is suprisingly cheap for the additional peace of mind you gain.
Be warned if the total weight of the package comes to more than 35kg then the courier costs will escalate rapidly. Items over 35kg need two people to lift it safely and your item will usually now be described as 'freight'.
Does Oakley Sound insure my property while in transit?
No. It is up to you to insure the item and also to pack the item well for the journey. The courier will normally provide a basic cover that will protect your item if it gets lost. However, any actual damage in transit is difficult to assess and they are less likely to pay up fully in these cases.
I will try to pack the item as carefully as I can for the return journey. But I will not be liable for any damage whilst in transit back to you. However, I will try to help should there be any need to instigate a claim on your behalf.
If you have a delicate or expensive item you should consider dropping it off personally.
How do I pack the item?
Make sure your item is properly packed and that the corners of the unit are very well protected. If the corners are protected, the rest will usually follow. However, you should always ensure that there is at least 30mm of packing surrounding your item in all directions. That is, do not allow the item to touch the sides of the outer box. I would advise that this is the lowest level of protection you should allow. I would normally aim for 100mm or more of bubble wrap.
Use double layer corrugated cardboard for the actual box if you can. If you haven't got the original packing material, then your local supermarket will have plenty of different size boxes for you to use for free.
Use bubble wrap to protect your item inside the box. Please do not use broken off bits of polystyrene, the item will shift in transit and probably end up getting damaged. Also, polystyrene has a nasty habit of getting into the item and causing trouble.
Please do not tape the packaging to the item. This can make unpacking a time consuming business and possibly damage the finish on the item.
When packing your unit, try to imagine the courier dropping it three feet onto the floor!! Although its worth remembering that most synths were meant to be gigged and are pretty tough at coping with the odd knock or two. Just keep those corners protected.
Please also bear in mind that we will usually need to send the unit back to you once it has been repaired. It is a good idea therefore to make sure that we can re-use the packaging for the return journey. Items that need to have new packaging found for the return journey will incur a fee for additional handling time.
One excellent way to package smaller synths is to use a hard plastic suitcase. Simply place a single duvet inside and put your synth on top. Wrap the rest of the duvet over the top of the synth and close the lid. Now lock it and then contact your favourite courier.
If you have a Fender or Marshall amplifier, then the best way is to just send the chassis and not the whole cabinet. The valves are best packed separately.
Can I use a fight case?
Flight cases are only useful if they have been especially designed for the item in question. Most often they are designed for gigging with and not postal transportation. Quite often these cases offer no shock absorption if the case is dropped, thus the item's internal electronics will often be subjected to enormous forces. The worst damage I have ever seen has happened when synthesisers are shipped in flightcases.
Please contact me for further information and particular requests.
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E-mail me here.
Telephone: 8-30am to 5-00pm Weekdays only (UK
time) +044 (0) 1768 896722
Mailing address: Oakley Sound Systems, Ruckcroft, Armathwaite, CARLISLE, CA4 9QR, UK
Oakley Sound Systems also make modular synthesiser components. Go here for more information.
Copyright: Tony Allgood
Last revised: June 25, 2008
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