WWQP Bulletin Board

Monday, November 30, 2009

shipping sewing machines

I have had a crazy life for the past several months and have not been following the blog. Now that I need help this was the place I thought of to turn to. I want to ship my Pfaff 2054 to Anchorage, Alaska, where I will spending the next few months caring for my terminally ill brother. I don't know how safe this is and how I go about packing it. I'm sure someone out there has done this before.

Thanks for any advise in advance
Harlene (harjo)

posted by harjo @ 9:17 AM  

8 Comments:

  • At November 30, 2009 at 11:24 AM , Blogger WhiteStone said...

    I've never shipped a new machine. However, I have shipped vintage Singers. You want this thing padded well so that if it is tossed sideways, upside down or whatever, that padding will protect any fragile areas. Both USPS and UPS use conveyer belts to sort mail and packages can be dropped short distances and worse, heavy packages can be dropped atop them. Think of padding well within one box and placing that box within another box with a couple inches padding all the way around. Styrofoam board works well for this latter. Perhaps someone else can be more helpful.

     

  • At November 30, 2009 at 12:46 PM , Blogger jdb in AZ said...

    When I shipped my machine cross country I checked with my dealer and the next time they sold a machine, and the customer didn't want the nice cardboard shipping box it came in,the dealer gave the box to me and I shipped it UPS with no problems. UPS is generally cheaper than the post ofc for any pkg over 2 lb.

    I would avoid Fed Ex. My DH shipped an antique guitar cross country for some minor repairs. It was in a heavy dooty guitar case, packed inside a box surrounded by styrofoam peanuts. When it arrived the box had a tire track across it, and the guitar was kindling. It made at least two more trips cross country before FedEx decided which ofc would handle the insurance claim.

    Which ever shipping method you choose, make sure you insure your machine.

     

  • At November 30, 2009 at 3:09 PM , Blogger Judy in Ohio said...

    Over the years I have shipped dozens of personal items by United Parcel Service and have never had anything damaged by them. I would not hesitate to ship a sewing machine using UPS. Go to Office Depot or Staples or Office Max for packing supplies and cartons and don't skimp on what you use. Be prepared to pay a lot of money for shipping but airfare for a sewing machine ain't cheap ... :-)

     

  • At November 30, 2009 at 6:51 PM , Blogger Mary in Oregon said...

    Have you considered buying a little Sears/Kenmore machine or some other inexpensive machine while you are in Alaska? You wouldn't have to worry about damaging your regular machine and if you can't find a home for it to leave in Alaska, perhaps your brother's family could try putting it on the local Craig's list.

    I'll be thinking of you as you help your brother. I helped my sister these last two years. It's difficult but there wasn't anything else I would have wanted to do. Take care of yourself as you help your brother.

    Sending hugz,
    Mary in Oregon

     

  • At December 1, 2009 at 7:29 AM , Blogger harjo said...

    Thank you all for your help and suggestions.
    After thinking it over, the idea of buying an inexpensive machine for use while there seems to make the most sense and be the least hassle. Thanks again so much to everyone. I knew I could count on you. I need to make time to come back to this site more often again.

     

  • At December 1, 2009 at 2:26 PM , Blogger Judy in Ohio said...

    Depending on where you are (big city?) you might be able to pick up a Janome for a reasonable price, perhaps a gently used trade-in. I have read that they are very reliable.

     

  • At December 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM , Blogger Linda, the Serial Quilter from Oxford, Ohio said...

    No matter which method of sending a parcel you choose (other than Greyhound bus), all of the packages are dropped at least once six feet onto concrete. A sewing machine should be double boxed with solid styrofoam lining between the interior of the outside box and the exterior of the inside box. The machine in the original box should have all projecting points (such as spool pins) protected with blocks of styrofoam (you simply jam the spool pin into the styrofoam and it protects the spool pin). If you Google "shipping a sewing machine" you may get a couple hits on sites that tell you how to do it so the machine survives. It takes time and some supplies. This is in case anybody else wants to ship a machine.

     

  • At December 1, 2009 at 7:32 PM , Blogger NancyH said...

    Just a thought - could you just buy, or rent, one in Anchorage? Maybe there is a shop there that would be willing to help you out. NancyH

     

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