Why do some sellers not double box?

[MarkJames]

I’m new to Nord but not new to shipping keyboards, especially expensive ones.

Last month I received my first - the Piano 4, which was shipped in its regular box from one of those NY camera stores. Someone clearly dropped it on its side and it not only broke the wooden cheek but put a small dent in the chassis. They offered me a substantial rebate so it was worth keeping and I quickly replaced the wooden cheek. ( which had the side effect of allowing me to look under the covers.)

Then, I bought an Electro 6D 73, which also wasn’t double boxed. No chassis damage but the end cheek was and a spring came off one of the keys. I returned it even though they offered decent compensation.

Then, i bought a Stage 3 Compact, which again, wasn’t double boxed. Luckily, no damage.

Today, I received a Wave 2 from a different NY camera/music store, and sure enough, it wasn’t double boxed. There was a nasty tear in it that exposed the key bed, but the plastic was intact. Unlike the others this was listed as brand new.

Meanwhile, I had purchased a keyboard from a well known NJ music store and it arrived double boxed - the box the keyboard came in was pristine and protected. When I decided to send it back in lieu of buying the Wave 2 I double boxed it again.

Why do sellers think they can ship something as heavy and expensive as a Nord Piano in just the factory box?

[Schorsch]

I think it might be because Nord may also ship it in just the factory box, which includes styrofoam to bolster the instruments and should be made for shipping?

[Nord33]

It's more about question, how they ship it... I'm sure Clavia does put a lot of effort packing Nords before shipping, because they care about the instruments... it obviously depends on how seller ships the instrument, but also how it's placed within truck/train/plane... whatever... if you had that many dents and shipping damage, that means that instrument has fallen from somewhere during transport, or it was bumped by some other stuff inside transporting vehicle. In my opinion (as I saw on many videos) Nord factory box could be little bit better and filled with more foam, but it seems like it's durable enough to withstand "normal" transporting.

[MarkJames]

I think it might be because Nord may also ship it in just the factory box, which includes styrofoam to bolster the instruments and should be made for shipping?

Fair points, but I have to wonder about US shippers at times.




First picture is the Wave 2 box…I tucked it back in but it was ripped open and the keyboard exposed.

The second one was the NP4 that was dropped on its end.

[MarkJames]

It's more about question, how they ship it... I'm sure Clavia does put a lot of effort packing Nords before shipping, because they care about the instruments... it obviously depends on how seller ships the instrument, but also how it's placed within truck/train/plane... whatever... if you had that many dents and shipping damage, that means that instrument has fallen from somewhere during transport, or it was bumped by some other stuff inside transporting vehicle. In my opinion (as I saw on many videos) Nord factory box could be little bit better and filled with more foam, but it seems like it's durable enough to withstand "normal" transporting.

I’m not knocking Clavia, and I have to bet they palletize orders to distributors.

I’m just surprised as I’ve had 4 Nords shipped to me and 2 had physical damage and one other probably came very close.

[Schorsch]

Looking at your pictures I would also be worried about the US shippers - that's for sure cause by very unproper handling of goods and they woudl have to pay for the damages. Asking the dealer to put the box into another box could be an option but it would raise the cost for shipping since the dealer has additional efforts, and depending on how the shippers handle the box it would probably still not protect enough against damagers .... were the two instruments delivered by the same shipping company?

[MarkJames]

Looking at your pictures I would also be worried about the US shippers - that's for sure cause by very unproper handling of goods and they woudl have to pay for the damages. Asking the dealer to put the box into another box could be an option but it would raise the cost for shipping since the dealer has additional efforts, and depending on how the shippers handle the box it would probably still not protect enough against damagers .... were the two instruments delivered by the same shipping company?

If I recall the Piano was shipped by UPS and the Wave by FedEx. So no, not the same. And there was a delay of a day for the Piano somewhere in between start and end so I suspect someone knew they dropped it. It honestly looked like someone just dropped it off of the truck on its end, so even the foam couldn’t protect against damage to a 18+ Kg instrument.

Note that they can claim improper packaging if something is damaged and they will refuse to pay out a claim. Another reason why double boxing with packing material in between is a good idea.

But, as I ended up getting a Piano 4 for around $1500 and it just needed a $100 end cheek I guess I can’t complain.

[Schorsch]

Note that they can claim improper packaging if something is damaged and they will refuse to pay out a claim

Whatever "improper packaging" means in that respect .... is it really that easy over there to get rid of obligations and liabilities?

[MarkJames]

Note that they can claim improper packaging if something is damaged and they will refuse to pay out a claim

Whatever "improper packaging" means in that respect .... is it really that easy over there to get rid of obligations and liabilities?

Likely it’s whatever the carrier says to avoid liability. For example, when I shipped back my Argon8X board I double boxed it, and the UPS person specifically asked if it was packed well.

Perhaps in Germany delivery services take pride in not damaging things, I think often in the US many people just don’t care - I’ve had deliveries literally thrown onto my front porch.

[Schorsch]

Uhh - I get it, understand well why you ask for double boxing