Apparently impossible shipping

Tubas, euphoniums, mouthpieces, and anything music-related.
Forum rules
This section is for posts that are directly related to performance, performers, or equipment. Social issues are allowed, as long as they are directly related to those categories. If you see a post that you cannot respond to with respect and courtesy, we ask that you do not respond at all.
User avatar
Mary Ann
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
Has thanked: 803 times
Been thanked: 915 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by Mary Ann »

When I looked into it, to register you need to list your company's name. Since I don't have a company, I decided to go with something else. So if you don't have a company --


Chris Olka
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:15 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 70 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by Chris Olka »

I don’t remember the charge for palletizing. I usually do it myself. It’s nothing more than putting the box on a wooden pallet, and wrapping it with clear plastic wrap to secure it to the pallet. Most times I also have a cardboard “crush cone” mounted on top to ensure nobody gets any ideas about stacking anything on top. I did a bunch of these at the ITEC in Spain this year after the Eastman booth closed.

Regarding listing a business name to set up an account, you can list anything you want. I never had to show a business license or documentation to use XPO. I do have a number of different business licenses, but have never needed to show one for shipping accounts.
These users thanked the author Chris Olka for the post:
Mary Ann (Wed Sep 17, 2025 9:56 am)
User avatar
Mary Ann
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
Has thanked: 803 times
Been thanked: 915 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by Mary Ann »

Thanks -- the crush cone idea is brilliant.
User avatar
Stryk
Posts: 539
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:51 am
Has thanked: 201 times
Been thanked: 118 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by Stryk »

When I got my new Alex from the Horn Guys, they used a bicycle shipper - that's how they ship tubas. May want to call Steve and ask him - I have forgotten which company.
Terry Stryker
Mirafone 186C, 186BBb, 184C, 186C clone
Gebr. Alexander New 163C, Vintage 163C, Vintage 163BBb
Amati 481C
Lyon & Healy 6/4
Kane Stealth tuba
A plethora of others....
donn
Posts: 1539
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2020 2:31 pm
Location: Portugal
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 206 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by donn »

Typically shaped tubas will fit in a box that isn't rectangular on any side. That's one way to make the pallet unattractive for stacking things on top. Since you'd often have to make your own box anyway.
prodigal
Posts: 637
Joined: Fri May 30, 2025 2:22 pm
Has thanked: 295 times
Been thanked: 185 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by prodigal »

Maybe making a box that looks like the Merrimack/Virginia or Zumwalt would deter stacking.

I'm glad my 186 came in the heavy plywood trunk. Thank you Tim!
1960 186CC
B&S 5099/PT-15
Cerveny 653
A bunch of string instruments
User avatar
Mary Ann
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
Has thanked: 803 times
Been thanked: 915 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by Mary Ann »

I like the idea of having the top look like it is not flat, if I can't find a crush cone.
User avatar
Mary Ann
Posts: 4166
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
Has thanked: 803 times
Been thanked: 915 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by Mary Ann »

Chris Olka wrote: Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:40 pm I’ve shipped and received MANY tuba with XPO Logistics. It’ll have to be palletized, but they’ll do it for a charge.
I actually visited the local XPO terminal with the tuba on the pallet with me, and they strongly suggested that I not ship a tuba with them because it is very likely it will be roughly handled. They, and every other place I have talked to, say UPS or FedEx is the only way to go, and I do not consider those, for this tuba, viable options.
gocsick
Posts: 1016
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:12 am
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 493 times

Re: Apparently impossible shipping

Post by gocsick »

This whole thing is perplexing to me... I just received a pallet containing a sensor for a microscope where the purchase price was over $500,000.. No problems shipping

It has these drop sensors on it

https://indexpackaging.com/stock-packag ... GbipREEKjZ

Image

which with the 10g trigger will indicate a fall of only an a inch or two onto concrete..

plus some tip sensors.. They all arrived fine.. and it was shipped by some random logistics company I've never heard of..

It is crazy to me that you are getting the runaround like this..
These users thanked the author gocsick for the post:
York-aholic (Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:47 pm)
As amateur as they come...I know just enough to be dangerous.

Meinl-Weston 20
Holton Medium Eb 3+1
Holton Collegiate Sousas in Eb and BBb
Conn 20J
and whole bunch of other "Stuff"
Post Reply