Factory Packaging

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Wed May 28, 2008 12:26 pm

Quick question for you Oasys owners. I'm contemplating having a used Oasys shipped to me. It will be coming in the factory box...is that thing sturdy? Is there sufficient packaging to protect the 76-key model from the clutches of UPS!

tcornishmn · Post by **tcornishmn** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:13 pm

In life, there are no guarantees. I believe one user shipped his Oasys somewhere in the original packaging and UPS/Fedex/whoever managed to beat the crap out of it.

Generally though, the packaging is designed for mailing. Mine came in the original packaging, and I'm sure a lot of other people's did too.

I would suggest getting insurance and take pictures of exactly how the unit is packaged and the condition of the box before you send it. That way, if the worst does happen, you have documentation to file a claim with the carrier.

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:54 pm

Bill -

Do not accept any risk with the OASYS shipment. Be confident of every step in the process, and if you're OK all is guaranteed, then proceed. The OASYS box sent to me new form Turnkey three years ago was open by the time it got to me though thankfully the OASYS was fine.

There was another horror story on this forum several months ago. You hear similar horror stories about shipping instruments all fo the time.

I know I sound alarmist, but you need to be able to convince yourself of every step of the journey - from the sturdiness of the packaging to trusting the haulier to insurance. If any of these are in the ether, vague or based on hope only, then ship this instrument at your peril.

If those delivering it say the box is study enough and they can stand over that, then it is; but I would be confident that no haulier will state that. Otherwise, you should look at having it packed professionally and insured.

I hope you come back here and say everything shipped OK, but you;ve been warned. I'm speaking from experience - both with my OASYS and with vintage synthesizers.

Patience is the name of the game - if you need more time to afford safe shipment - then wait.

Kevin

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:25 pm

Thanks for the replies...great advice. I'm still thinking it over, but will probably wait until something within driving distance comes up.

elvisjohndowson · Post by **elvisjohndowson** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:31 pm

I wouldnt take a risk with a used unit repacked into its original packing and shipped across to you. I would recommed that you get a flight case and have it shipped (which is not so easy, since a flight case for the OASYS will weigh as much as the OASYS itself, increasing your shipping costs) or you get it driven to your location in an SUV or something. I'd take real good care of the OASYS during shipping, if I were u!!

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Wed May 28, 2008 4:37 pm

While on this topic and I hope I am not hijacking your thread, but does anyone know how I can get hold of the 2 end foam bits of the packaging. I have the box and most of the polystyrene casing, but have lost the end pieces that support the OASYS when in the box. My girlfriend accidentally threw them away when I first got the O, as I left them lying around when I unpacked it. I had put the box up in the attic, but she thought I had left the end bits to be thrown out. And before I realised it, they were gone with the dustmen...grrr, nearly put the girlfriend out for the dustmen too when I found out...oh well

Its not a massive deal at the moment though, as my OASYS is sitting comfortably on my studio work top, but I am considering moving in the next year or so, so it would be handy to have those to hand when the time comes to box it up ready for the move. If anyone has any spare foam end supports or doesn't want their's any more then if they could let me know. I am in UK and could collect if not too far away. Just on the off chance

Thanks

RobertPlatinum · Post by **RobertPlatinum** » Wed May 28, 2008 5:57 pm

Hi, I worked at UPS for five years, (before they fired me for going to college). There are several things you can do to ensure a safe arrival.

1. Have the shipper take the item to a professional packaging company, namely the UPS store. Then they cannot say that the item was not properly packaged.

2. Have the shipper take dated pictures of the Oasys physical condition on all sides, top and bottom.

3. Insure the item for over $10,000. Because UPS calls these (High Value), they treat these packages with more care and load them last, normally they have someone to watch it get loaded.

4. Ship it next day air, if it is in UPS's hands for one day there is a less likely chance of it getting damaged. Plus, these packages are loaded by hub employees, who are being paid an extra dollar per hr to load them. These packages and trucks always seem to be alot cleaner.

5. If you take all of these precautions you should be fine. I know these are expensive precautions, but if you've bought the Oasys then it is worth it.

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:23 pm

More excellent advice! Thanks to all who have replied. I am going to pass on this Oasys because the seller isn't motivated enough to take those precautions, but those are all great tips for anybody reading these forums.

Bill

Trinity2112 · Post by **Trinity2112** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:35 pm

BillW - Is this by any chance an Ebay auction?

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:57 pm

Yes...easy enough to find, $4600 buy it now w/free shipping.

RobertPlatinum · Post by **RobertPlatinum** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:39 pm

It seems he didn't care enough about ensuring a safe transit for your item he probably wasn't legit. You did the right thing!

RobertPlatinum · Post by **RobertPlatinum** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:40 pm

Oh yeah don't give up on acquiring an Oasys. It is worth the hassle.

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:49 pm

RobertPlatinum wrote:It seems he didn't care enough about ensuring a safe transit for your item he probably wasn't legit. You did the right thing!

I've exchanged several emails with the seller, I think it's legit. I'm just not willing to accept the risk (and subsequent hassle should something go wrong).

jazlover · Post by **jazlover** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:13 pm

FYI.....for anyone shipping fine instruments.

I am in the shipping business.
Anytime you have something sent to you.....Make sure you are the shipper on the airbil and insure for the amount you need if it gets destroyed. If something happens to the pkg, Fed Ex and UPS only concern is toward the shipper and no one else.
Overnight packages get handled about 4 or 5 times less than other pkg (ground, 2nd day...etc). You do not want your pkg handled very often.

Trinity2112 · Post by **Trinity2112** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:38 pm

BillW wrote:Yes...easy enough to find, $4600 buy it now w/free shipping.

That's the same I seller I contacted. I inquired about the reason he was selling...not about the care he would take when shipping the item. I'm glad I stumbled across this thread. I'll probably pass on his Oasys.