Opinions on sending a lens and camera in the mail.

[shefjr]

Hi all!

My Sigma 150-500 is AF fine tuned to -20 on my D7000 and could probably go all the way to -25. When I called Sigma they said that they could marry the lens so that it was perfect on my camera but, that I would have to send the lens and camera together. I pay shipping and they do the work for free.
I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on sending a camera and lens through the mail. I am not fond of the idea. I am hoping some folks on here may be able to share some positive experiences with me. Or at least give me their experiences so that I can make an opinion/experience/informed decision.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!
John

 

[Mully]

It is done all the time, just pack well and insure.

 

[shefjr]

I have never sent anything out in the mail or other shipping agency. Is there someone you would recommend that I ship through? Also, I would think that I should ship the camera and lens uncoupled. Yes?

 

[pixmedic1]

I do all my shipping through the USPS. i can get insurance, tracking, delivery conformation, and signature required.

 

[Overread19 7]

Wrap it up well and, as said, put insurance, tracking, delivery conformation, and signature on the parcel. It will increase the postage cost, but it means that you can keep an eye on it, know that it gets to its destination and if anything does happen to it it will be covered by the insurance.

Generally speaking provided its well wrapped up it shouldn't come to any harm at all, courier services are generally very good and heck I know many people will even now post cameras, lenses and other delicate bulky and heavy items to their hotels when they go on holiday rather than risk them in the hold of the plane.

 

[shefjr]

Thank you everyone!
I guess it's settled then.
I'll ship it them out.

 

[Don Kondra]

I have bought and sold and shipped a number of lenses and cameras.

Nobody has really said what "pack well" means.

I place the item in the original box and wrap that box with bubble wrap so it fits snugly into another cardboard box.

Damage can occur when the shipped item has room to move inside its shipping container and/or when something pierces the container.

A box inside a box is about the best you can do

And spend the extra for insurance, it's relatively inexpensive.

Cheers, Don

 

[shefjr]

Thanks Don.
My biggest concern is how I'm going to pack everything. My mom had a really bad experience with USPS and having an actual insurance claim that they wouldn't cover. They said that because the shipper (not my mom) didn't pack it to their (USPS) standard that they would not cover it and the shipper said it was more than adequate. By the way it was because the shipper missed one of USPSs steps in packaging. My mom lost out because no one would cover it. I was considering going through FedEx, UPS, or whoever will assist me in proper packing. Either way I will be Insuring everything.
John

 

[Tony S]

If you are not sure about packing it or don't have the materials on hand to do it correctly take it to one of the shipping stores that does Fed Ex or UPS, most of them also do USPS. You can't control what the company does sending it back to you, but they are responsible once they receive it in good condition.

 

[shefjr]

So I went with USPS. I'm happy with the transactions all around. I also got the lens back today and am really happy with the results. I'm really glad I sent the lens and camera in to get married.


Cardinal test shot by Shefjr, on Flickr

 

[480sparky43 42]

How to pack a camera lens for shipping.

 

[shefjr]

How to pack a camera lens for shipping.

Better late than never eh sparky? Thanks for that but, that wasn't so much what I was looking for. I was more looking for others past experiences on who they have shipped through
and their recommendations.

 

[480sparky43 42]

How to pack a camera lens for shipping.

Better late than never eh sparky? Thanks for that but, that wasn't so much what I was looking for. I was more looking for others past experiences on who they have shipped through
and their recommendations.

When all is said and done, they're all (USPS, FedEx, UPS....) about the same.

 

[shefjr]

When all is said and done, they're all (USPS, FedEx, UPS....) about the same.

I was really reluctant to use USPS because my mom had a bad experience with them when she made a insurance claim. What changed my mind was the responses that I received here.

 

[Patrice]

Glad it all went well for you.

Now that the two are married, when do you expect to become the proud grandparent of little bay sigmas?