Guide to Loaner Programs

Discussion in 'Rules, Payments, and Other' started by sphinxvc, Nov 6, 2015.

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  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    yes insurance is expensive, I paid $18.55 for $1300.00 insurance on the Gungnir Multibit
     
  2. IUONA

    IUONA Thief that stole Bloom Audio gear

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    I've got some limited gear right now, but I'm happy to participate. Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 1, DIY blue 02 amp, Sennheiser HD-239, Plantronics Backbeat Fit, HRT MicroStreamer, Koss KSC-75. And I'd love the opportunity to experience more gear since I'm 3 hours away from the nearest major city (Chicago) and don't have the resources to buy a lot to try it out. I've never heard anything better than the HD650 I owned for a few years.

    Nobody here really knows me, yet, but being a responsible & trustworthy member of any group I'm in matters to me. When I borrow from & loan guitars or pro audio equipment to friends I have a personal policy of treating anything that's not mine like it's a priceless artifact.
     
  3. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    @The Alchemist

    Just out of curiosity, how much does it cost to ship Gungnir Multibit (without insurance)?
     
  4. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Without insurance Priority 2-day was $98.00 and some change, but for whatever reason, shipping it Priority 1-day was only $42 and some change. I paid $63.85 for Priority 1-day with $1300.00 insurance on it, however it still took 2 days for Ken to receive it, probably because I am in Ohio and he is in California.

    I would recommend insurance, if it SBAF's Gungnir Multibit loaner, insurance is required, if it is your own Gungnir Multibit, I would still recommend insurance. I usually never have a problem with USPS, however there was one occasion I shipped out some new shoes to an eBay Customer and USPS lost my package, but I had it insured. They sent me a check to cover what I paid for insurance and for the cost of the shipping.

    So I would definitely recommend insurance, especially on the Gungnir Multibit.
     
  5. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    No doubt. I saw you listed the insurance values up above, so I was just wondering how much shipping was.

    No need to go on the Gungnir Multibit loaner list too, since I'm planning on purchasing one soon :D.

    How bad for the claim process for losing your package?
     
  6. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    If you ever plan to ship your Gungnir Multibit to a friend or to someone you want to loan it to, definitely ask the post office clerk about the cost for Priority 1-day and priority 2-day cost. Even the clerk at the post office couldn't understand why 1-day priority mail shipping was half the cost of priority 2-day shipping, I saved $50 in shipping costs by shipping priority 1-day instead of Priority 2-day (go figure).

    But like I said in my last post, I would definitely recommend insurance. $1300.00 insurance on the Gungnir Multibit was $18.50. Yes that seems like I lot, but if USPS damages it or looses it, it is much better to pay $18.50 and get your $1300.00 back, than to not have insurance and have to pay $1300.00 for a replacement Gungnir Multibit. Please note the prices I paid were for shipping the Gungnir Multibit in the original Schiit box. If you use a bigger box, shipping could be more. If it is your own Gungnir Multibit and you do not use the Schiit box, the Gungnir Multibit will fit in a Large Flat-Rate 2-day Priority box and would cost only around $18-$20 to ship without insurance (with insurance about $38 (estimated). However even though the Gungnir Multibit without using the Schiit box will fit in a large 2-day priority flat-rate box, make sure you package and protect it well. The Original Schiit box has good protection with it's big, thick foam inserts, but even with those I still put in those little air bags for extra protection.
     
  7. Original Ken

    Original Ken Friend

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    Note that the availability of Priority 1 Day vs Priority 2 Day vs Priority 3 Day is highly dependent on your location and the location of the person receiving the shipment.

    "Priority Express" is simply the old "Express Mail" re-branded. Priority 1/2/3 Day is not guaranteed to arrive on any particular day. Priority Express is guaranteed to arrive on whatever day is promised, with a money-back guarantee on the postage cost.
     
  8. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    I just joined my first SBAF loaner list, and I want to make sure I do everything by the book. So, is the official way to ship loaner equipment to always ship via USPS? I already knew that it needed to be insured for the full purchase price.
     
  9. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    Just want to emphasize importance of insurance with expensive equipment. I shipped my Ether USPS to a friend over the holidays in a Newegg box (maybe my mistake right there) and he received an empty box with only the instruction paper. Let's just say I'm glad I paid that 18.55 in insurance (in claim process now).
     
  10. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Sorry to hear that @PoochZag - I had that happen to me before with a new pair of shoes I sold on eBay. USPS did send me a check for the insurance amount I paid plus the shipping costs. It takes a little time, but they will take care of you.
     
  11. Original Ken

    Original Ken Friend

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    I don't see any requirement for USPS in the Guide, just that you use tracking and insurance. However:

    (1) Often the person loaning the gear wants the original shipping box to be used (or at least put inside another box). This can apply to Schiit brand gear, who provides shipping boxes with foam that fits the box and protects the gear.

    (2) Often items that fit into "Medium Flat Rate Priority Box" or "Large Flat Rate Priority Box" can save shipping costs. See Item (1) above, though.

    (3) No shipping service is perfect. However, my personal long-term experience is that UPS is the hardest on packages. I personally have had a number of items destroyed by UPS. But that is not a scientific survey and others may have a different experience. It probably varies by location.

    (4) If you get an online account at usps.com , you can print a shipping label on your PC printer, and save significant amounts of money over going to the post office.

    (5) Check the loaner thread for the specific item for any details that may be required by the person loaning that item.
     
  12. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I agree With @Original Ken on his post above. Well said and I also prefer USPS. After many years of using their shipping services, I have only had a problem one time, and they gave me no issues sending me a check for the insurance I paid, and they also paid me for the cost of the shipping I paid. Like Ken said, Flat-rate boxes are best if the item can be packed securely, but items that are on the bigger side like the Gungnir Multibit need to use their original shipping box.

    Great post @Original Ken - those are some great tips. :bow:
     
  13. Oregonian

    Oregonian New

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    Being a new member here, this loaner program is incredible. You guys have your act together - as soon as I become a friend I'll likely opt in to some of the loaners. I've owned or auditioned over 50 headphones and love trying new gear. Kudos to you guys.............
     
  14. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I'm sure you'll become a Friend soon enough.

    I can vouch for Oregonian! @The Alchemist, @purrin
     
  15. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    thanks @Luckbad - I noticed you just joined on Jan 22nd @Oregonian , welcome if I haven't said so already. If there is a loaner program that you are interested in, PM me or another Staff Member and we'll also talk with the Gear Masters and see what we can do ;)
     
  16. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Updated loaner guidelines. Read and discuss. Just a draft, and not in effect yet.
     
  17. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I've never used ups or fedex to ship, as when I check prices online it's super expensive. What's the best method to use to get the price down?
     
  18. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    I don't have a ton of information on this, but to spark discussion: here's comparison chart that might help. I generally know that USPS tends to be cheapest for light weight packages. Personally, I think that shipping USPS fully insured and with required signature can be allowed, but I also think that shouldn't preclude people from having to contribute to this fund we're trying to grow (because at some point, we can also stop requiring insurance with USPS?). Honestly, I would like to hear arguments/counter-arguments. So with that, let's discuss.

    upload_2016-7-11_14-8-51.png upload_2016-7-11_14-9-30.png upload_2016-7-11_14-10-4.png upload_2016-7-11_14-10-23.png

    Priority mail seems to be the best bang for buck, but then there's also cost/fragility of the item to consider...
     
  19. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Thanks Prashant. Since he updated the loaners rules just wanted to shout out how awesome he has been in running the lists. Can't thank you enough for all your hard work.
     
  20. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    FedEx for medium to large, insured packages is almost always cheaper than USPS, IME. USPS with the standard priority boxes and no insurance is usually the cheapest if you can go that route, though FedEx is reportedly more reliable. I haven't used UPS much, but I swear they used to be the priciest.
     
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