A Prayer to the FedEx gods

megadan · #1 06-23-2009, 08:02 AM

Please don't trash my new Bergantino NV610 while it is in your hands.
I know I did a ****** packing job, and it's not very well marked, and the weight was wrong. It was 1am in downtown Toronto and I built a box out of other boxes in a dark alley. I was in the middle of tour and there was no room in the van for another bass cab.
The guys who work at the 24H Kinkos don't really know anything about Ground shipments. They didn't even have a scale. They didn't even have a shipping label. I had to print one myself.

Please, I used a whole roll of packing tape and 3 cardboard boxes. Don't break off my casters. Please don't let it get dropped on the corner when you pack it on the very bottom at the very back of the van. It's only an 18hour drive! Please don't drive a fork lift through it.

You say you will bring it to me in two more days, please keep it safe. That is all I ask.

If you can do this, I will mail a sacrificial package of foam peanuts for you to devour.

Amen,
megadan

RWP · #2 06-23-2009, 08:50 AM

FedEx is pretty cool about a lot of things but I don't know about this one.

Did you get a tracking number? I would call them and check on the progress.

Unrepresented · #3 06-23-2009, 08:57 AM

Errors:

1) insufficient packing

2) heavy item with large flat surfaces and delicate components

3) FedEx ground

You're right to be concerned.

allexcosta · #4 06-23-2009, 08:59 AM

You're lucky it's not UPS. A human sacrifice would be necessary.

megadan · #5 06-23-2009, 09:04 AM

I have the tracking number (all though it sits at home on my desk while I am here at work) but they don't usually list "Update: item destroyed."

I know it sucks and it's my fault, but I didn't have my choice. I was in the middle of tour, leaving the city the next morning, and the van was filled to the roof with gear, bags, and 8 guys. It was either this or abandon it, all alone, in the big city, for racoons to make a house out of.

Please, FedEx, just this one time, don't wreck it, I promise you can break my next package!

*orders large box of pillows*

bassteban · #6 06-23-2009, 09:23 AM

If there were Fedex gods, they would NOT be appeased by packing peanuts. Those things should be banned from the planet.

megadan · #7 06-23-2009, 10:15 AM

Perhaps a nice shipment of tea cups! I'm sure I can spare some of those.

RWP · #8 06-23-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

..... they don't usually list "Update: item destroyed." ...

LOL!

I now understand the position you were in and wish you the best. Keep us posted.

hover · #9 06-23-2009, 10:24 AM

I take it you never heard of a UHaul trailer? Woulda cost less than the price you paid to ship that beast, I bet. Plan, then plan again, and then for ha-has, plana third time. In each scenario, plan on being broke. THEN embark on the tour.

tplyons · #10 06-23-2009, 10:39 AM

Shipped with the Castors on?!

I would have taken them off... surely THEY fit in the van somewhere.

Best of lucky anyway.

megadan · #11 06-23-2009, 10:40 AM

We considering a U-haul, among many other possible combinations for the trip. Ultimately we had to balance between cost and space. Sacrifices were made by all (one of the guitarists didn't even get to take his own amp at all), hopefully mine is only the cost of shipping and not the cost of a new cab!

Backup plan, our drummer is also a carpenter, we can rebuild him! I guess this is the ultimate test for touring, can it stand being thrown in and out of a FedEx truck for 6 days? Haha. I think I'll pony up for the slip cover if I see her in one piece on Thursday. She'll deserve it.

megadan · #12 06-23-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Shipped with the Castors on?!

I would have taken them off... surely THEY fit in the van somewhere.

Best of lucky anyway.

I didn't know they were removable...

they're the built in tilt back kind. If they were floor style casters I would have pulled them off.
Fortunately everything else (side and tops handles) are recessed, and I padded around the casters with some extra material. Also made that the top, all though they may not give a flying you-know-what.

tplyons · #13 06-23-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

I didn't know they were removable...

they're the built in tilt back kind. If they were floor style casters I would have pulled them off.
Fortunately everything else (side and tops handles) are recessed, and I padded around the casters with some extra material. Also made that the top, all though they may not give a flying you-know-what.

Actually I'm not sure they're removable either... I was thinking of floor style casters as well. Best of luck.

LowDown Hal · #14 06-23-2009, 10:57 AM

How did you get it there in the first place?

megadan · #15 06-23-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowDown Hal

How did you get it there in the first place?

I didn't; it was for sale in Toronto (I live in Halifax, about 2000 kilometers away). I had been emailing the guy for about 6 or 7 months (!), these cabs are extremely rare in Canada. Finally, my band was on tour and we were passing through Toronto.

I tried it out and it sounded amazing. I just had to get it home somehow!

hover · #16 06-23-2009, 12:17 PM

"these cabs are extremely rare in Canada."

I hope for yoursake they aren't moreso now.

megadan · #17 06-23-2009, 12:40 PM

Update:

The "box" has arrived! Faster than I thought, but exactly when I wanted it. It looks intact.

I will now begin the process off removing my layers of tape and cardboard, and maybe even post a picture for you, since my boss is on vacation all week

megadan · #18 06-23-2009, 01:29 PM

My Prayer's have been answered!

Can't wait to try this bad boy out!

PSPookie · #19 06-23-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

My Prayer's have been answered!

Can't wait to try this bad boy out!

Nice!

Now send it to GA

middy · #20 06-23-2009, 02:08 PM

That is a sweet cab! I'm jealous.