How to ship my imac

[hobbes3113]

I am upgrading my imac (17", circa 2003) to a brand new PM and want to send it to my parents. Anybody have any ideas on the best shipping method. Also, due to space constraints in my apartment, I was unable to save the box the imac came in, so any ideas on the best packing method. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hobbes

[widgetguy]

yea i have a few i have shipped a lot off imacs.

1. double box it
2. use the foam paddinging
3. add peanuts on the inside of the firstt box and the outside of it
4.tape it about 3-4 time on each side on the inner and outter box

do those following things you should be good to go,

[mbl42]

Ship it FedEx, cheapest.

[ITASOR]

UPS Ground has always been cheaper for me, but FedEx is also cheap. DON'T use USPS unless it's a small thing.

[hobbes3113]

yea i have a few i have shipped a lot off imacs.

1. double box it
2. use the foam paddinging
3. add peanuts on the inside of the firstt box and the outside of it
4.tape it about 3-4 time on each side on the inner and outter box

do those following things you should be good to go,

Thanks for the reply. Is there any way to support the LCD, to avoid damage to either it or the arm?

[Rod Rod]

Thanks for the reply. Is there any way to support the LCD, to avoid damage to either it or the arm?You could use that instant foam stuff that expands and fits whatever form is around it. The iMac would have to be very nicely sealed though so none of the junk seeps into/onto it. Remember how the arm and screen were positioned when it was in its box? That's probably a good position for it to be in.

[QCassidy352]

UPS Ground has always been cheaper for me, but FedEx is also cheap. DON'T use USPS unless it's a small thing.

I've always used USPS for everything with stunning success.

[RJP31484]

You could use that instant foam stuff that expands and fits whatever form is around it. The iMac would have to be very nicely sealed though so none of the junk seeps into/onto it. Remember how the arm and screen were positioned when it was in its box? That's probably a good position for it to be in.

People actually do use that stuff for packing pretty often(It is usually meant for insulation or closing a big gap in a wall around a hole a pipe is going through, and can be found in a hardware store) You need to put the machine in a bag with NO HOLES though. I dont know how caustic that stuff is, and if it would ruin the plastic or the screen. Just double bag it and tape it up, place it in a box, and spray some foam in there. It will expand and harden and hold everything very securely.

[scarlco]

People actually do use that stuff for packing pretty often(It is usually meant for insulation or closing a big gap in a wall around a hole a pipe is going through, and can be found in a hardware store) You need to put the machine in a bag with NO HOLES though. I dont know how caustic that stuff is, and if it would ruin the plastic or the screen. Just double bag it and tape it up, place it in a box, and spray some foam in there. It will expand and harden and hold everything very securely.
The foam idea is great... but I'd actually stop halfway, let it harden some, put down a layer of plastic (like shopping bags or something) and then continue. This way, the foam is in two halves. You don't want to have to 'cut' your imac out of the stuff - it gets pretty tough when it hardens completely.

[dan-o-mac]

Post an ad in craigslist for the imac box. You might get one free or you might have to give a few buck, but it's well worth it.

[RJP31484]

The foam idea is great... but I'd actually stop halfway, let it harden some, put down a layer of plastic (like shopping bags or something) and then continue. This way, the foam is in two halves. You don't want to have to 'cut' your imac out of the stuff - it gets pretty tough when it hardens completely.

Thats actually not a bad idea... though it would be hard to make them easy to "slide off" judging by the shape of a G4 imac. Ive gotten things shipped like tha before, it is pretty easy to open the bag from the top, and BUST IT OUT from the inside. It is kind of a fun project.

[iGary]

I'd take it to a shipping place like Mailboxes etc - they have the boxes, peanuts....

[hobbes3113]

I'd take it to a shipping place like Mailboxes etc - they have the boxes, peanuts....

This is probably what I will end up doing, there is one just up the street from my apartment. Hopefully they have had some experience with this type of thing before. If not, I might mention widgetguy's double box idea. In any case, I will get it insured, just to be sure. Thanks for all the advice. :)

[macmanmatty]

Read my sig and then ship it via UPS with confindnce. :)

[jamesW135]

UPS(curse You!) dropped my iBook and caused lots of pixel damage.

[ReanimationLP]

I'd take it to a shipping place like Mailboxes etc - they have the boxes, peanuts....

What the hell is a Mailboxes Etc?

You mean the Oops Store? :D

[matticus008]

You mean the Oops Store? :D

Seriously. I've had more trouble than success with UPS. They've lost packages on more than one occasion and in fact crushed my handmade custom trumpet, causing a two-month delay. The only compensation I ever received for that was a refund of the shipping costs. Not a dime for having to use a loaner trumpet for two months. And they are rarely cheaper than FedEx, except for international shipments.

In fact, they often won't quote you the cheapest shipping option (you have to ask specifically) at my local store. I went in to ship something UPS at the request of a buyer and was given two shipping options: $98 or $177. Then I had to ask for standard ground delivery, which was about $30 all said and done.

I trust FedEx. They are almost always on time or sooner.