Thumbs up : Pack and Send.

el_draco (Rom) · #1 09-10-2015, 08:49 AM

We often here about postal horror stories so here is a good one for once.

I dropped off a scope to Pack and Send in Hobart the other day and it was delivered less than 24 hours later to a Queensland address. Thats pretty damn impressive even to my cynical old mind...

astroboof (Steve McN) · #2 09-10-2015, 04:29 PM

Hmmm, pack and send hey.

Thanks Sir, I shall keep them in mind.

God, never had a problem with AP for smaller boxes, but I got to compare rates.

vlazg (George) · #3 09-10-2015, 05:08 PM

I was quoted $630 by pack and send for a large and heavy parcel 27kg, from Hobart to Darwin.
TNT was $230 with insurance, took 7 working days. If time is not a problem, check them out.

el_draco (Rom) · #4 09-10-2015, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroboof

Hmmm, pack and send hey.

Thanks Sir, I shall keep them in mind.

God, never had a problem with AP for smaller boxes, but I got to compare rates.

Use the online quote system and save a bucket. It allows you to print labels and documentation at home. Doing it in-store would have cost $186; from home $75. Works for me. I've used them a couple of times now including shipping big optics.. No issues at all.

LewisM · #5 10-10-2015, 09:12 AM

Been using P&S for large items for years now. Heck, they moved a lot of my stuff to Singapore - I mean a LOT - for $700. Last telescope I sent to Melbourne cost me $60 (through the depot, not from home) in shipping AND with a black plastic "cling" wrap all over it. And it was there the next day.

If only they were economical for small packages I could avoid the thieving mongrels at AP. I know the guys at the local P&S depot VERY well, and get mate's rates - if a delivery comes IN for me and I cannot pick up, the guy will bring it to me on his way home after work.

Just remember that P&S are basically wholesalers - you need to ask them which company is actually carrying the item to do REAL tracking. From here to Sydney or Melbourne is exclusively via TNT through P&S, but to regional QLD they have been Star Track Express until recently.

issdaol (Phil) · #6 10-10-2015, 09:47 AM

Lewis put me onto P&S and since then have used them a few time myself.

Found them to be very professional, willing to help and negotiate on price for special packs, very reliable and very cost effective

I have recommended them to others now as well.

Kunama · #7 10-10-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_draco

Use the online quote system and save a bucket. It allows you to print labels and documentation at home. Doing it in-store would have cost $186; from home $75. Works for me. I've used them a couple of times now including shipping big optics.. No issues at all.

I would strongly advise you read the fine print (it is actually stated in very clear and extensive lists) very carefully as the 'Online P & S' have several exceptions to what can be sent and what insurance will cover,

OPTICS which are 'items containing GLASS' (read here Telescopes) and any 'Scientific Instruments' are deemed to be prohibited goods and cannot be sent through Online P & S

Just saying ............

Having said that, I use Pack & Send Depot to Depot as my couriers of choice. They are a totally separate business from the Online P & S. They also are only a drop off point for Online P&S. With the Online P&S your items are actually couriered by various no-name couriers (read here Gorillas if you wish) which you have no control over. The safest way is to go to a Depot and have it sent to another Depot for collection, that way it is packed into a cage and only removed from the cage at the destination Depot.

casstony · #8 10-10-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

. They are a totally separate business from the Online P & S. .

Hi Matt, I've booked through a depot and online and I've found that I've had the same contractors picking up the package and talked to the same people over the phone. Twice when I've booked online a guy from a depot called to check a couple of things, same guy I'd dealt with previously booking over the phone. I've seen no indication that there are two separate businesses, though there may be different rules for using either method.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #9 10-10-2015, 11:33 AM

I only use P&S for freighting scopes and mounts I build. I have had scopes and mounts shipped across Oz and to NZ, and shortly to New York.

As Matt says, you need to be aware of the different levels of service that P&S offer. At the same time, P&S are one of the very few courier service providers that actually offer insurance on optical equipment. One great thing about their personal service on telescopes (when insurance is being taken on scopes), is they will help with the packing of the gear.

Yes, there are cheaper couriers, but like everything, you get what you pay for. Some of these other couriers do offer insurance, but mention glass or optical or scientific equipment, and they refuse to take it on, no matter how 'cheap' the gear is! By they way some of these couriers then treat you after you mention 'telescope' or 'scientific equipment', you may as well be dealing with nuclear material!

So it is all up to what you consider more important - $$$ or quality of service, and the level of risk you are prepared to take on for the gear you are shipping.

Kunama · #10 10-10-2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casstony

Hi Matt, I've booked through a depot and online and I've found that I've had the same contractors picking up the package and talked to the same people over the phone. Twice when I've booked online a guy from a depot called to check a couple of things, same guy I'd dealt with previously booking over the phone. I've seen no indication that there are two separate businesses, though there may be different rules for using either method.

The strange thing is that the people who run the local depots are required to process parcels that have been booked through 'P&S Online' but they don't get paid anything for their efforts unless the parcel is booked through their depot.

The depot owner also stated very clearly that you would not be covered for any glass damage if using the online method regardless of the fact that they have picked up the item. It is quite well stipulated on their website.

There is also a maximum value for any parcel via the online business of $3K.

As it turned out for me, the cheapest/safest option was depot to depot.

casstony · #11 10-10-2015, 04:53 PM

I would use depot to depot if I lived near one. When I pack fragile gear I try to pack it such that it can survive a fall to the concrete, though that's a bit more difficult with SCT's. Anything other than a SCT should be fine without glass insurance.