I have a few recordplayers (Beograms 3000/3500/4500/5500/6500/7000/9000) which I want to sell via Ebay and I really would like to know what's the best way to ship these fragile units. I saw on Ebay that Martin Dillen has sold one recently, so actually I'm very curious how he takes precautions especially for the tangential arms. I'm aware of the transportation screws and that the platter has to be packed separately. Martin can you make pictures of the one you just sold regarding to packing?  Thanks!

I've seen too many badly packed Beograms in my time so maybe it
would be a good idea to make a FAQ entry regarding this.
It's right, I sold a Beogram 6500 just a few minutes ago
(thanks for your interest) and I will see if I can take
some photos of the packing.

Martin

Good Question Leslie!

I've sold a lot of these on ebay (and touch wood) they've all arrived safely...

I actually leave the platter in place.... I pack the space between the platter and the lid with what I think is polyethylene - it's like squidgy polystyrene and easily cut to shape and size. (My source up to now has been my IT department at work as a lot of computer equipment is packaged using this stuff, but unfortunatley that source has now dried up as my employers have decided to give me a cheque rather than continue to employ me.... )

This packaging also protects the lid from being squashed (although the amount of bubble wrap I put between the turntable and the top of the box is considerable). It is also used to wedge the tone arm into place by gently squeezing a chunk of it into the void just to the left of the tonearm.

Make sure the stylus guard is always down and hey presto! Turntable ready to be wrapped in copious amounts of bubble wrap and put into a tri-walled carton. I've sent them to every continent without a hitch. Have a look at my ebay feedback - lots of comments about good packaging! I have however come a cropper with a couple of radial tonearm turntables - not securing the tonearm in place well enough...won't make that mistake again!

I put "Fragile" and "This way up" tape around the carton. 

I'm going to be packing 2 or 3 up myself in the next fortnight or so and will endeavour to  post some pics.

Cheers

Nigel

Will be interesting to compare notes Martin!

However, I suspect your packaging will put mine to shame having read your feedback!

That looked like a very nice BG6500!

Cheers

Nigel

Thanks guys! Very much appreciated if you can post some pictures. My main concern is the inside of the unit, especially the sliders for the tangential arms. Does this need any protection?

Here are some pictures of a Beogram I sent to Ukraine.
Make sure to tighten the transport screws, pack platter and mmc seperately,
Best would be box in a box...

Ralf

Great pics!

I'm always very nervous about taking the MMC out due to the risk of it's pins becoming loose/ detached. 

I'll try and take a photo today of the way I deal with the arm.

Cheers

Nigel

I'm not sure if the "fragile" labels help anything, might be just the opposite...

I always take pictures of how I packed the more expensive / fragile stuff.

I Send these to the buyer and - just in case - you have the pics to show to DHL if something goes wrong...

The freight company cannot blame you like "no fragile label on it" , "you should have" etc.

Ralf

I know exactly what you mean mika - every time I put the tape on, I wonder if it's the right thing to do! I guess my faith in human nature persuades me that for every idiot who works for a courier, there will be lots of sensible employees that will take note.... So far it doesn't seem to have done any harm!

Regarding taking the platter off - if the turntable in the pics above was turned upside down, would the sub platter not potentially come off it's spindle and wreak havoc?

Cheers

Nigel 

Thanks Ralf for the pictures!

So we have to deal with two things now using lables on the box!

One as Mika said, tempting for the courier employees who think they are funny just doing the opposite, (this happened to me once). Evidence you need for claiming insurance that you have taken all the necessary precautions? This is weird....

I think without is the perfect excuse for a claim to become invalid.

Remember a lot of the guys working for these companies also recieve parcels so I am sure there is more respect than people give them credit for!

The above shown is pretty much how I do it too.
I like to squeeze a piece of foam in between the overside of the carriage and
the underside of the black rear cover plus a piece of foam taped in at
the left side of the carriage to prevent the carriage from coming off
its rails and moving left.

ALWAYS pack the platter separately.
The Beogram 6006/8000/8002 will see their main bearing nylon insert damaged
by the heavy weight of the platter if shipped a bit rough.
Put a fairly large piece of foam on the subplatter with a suitable thickness to just
make for a nice squeeze when the dustcover is closed.
This will also support the dustcover a bit.

Martin

Take a look at this page....

Perfect!!

Ralf

These are sellers you should treasure

h1npw:

I'm going to be packing 2 or 3 up myself in the next fortnight or so and will endeavour to  post some pics.

Cheers

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

Don't forget to post some pictures will you?

Have about 20 record players which I want to sell through Ebay and I wanna make sure that I do it the right way.

Especially for the tangential players...

Thanks mate! Leslie