How to best protect a Telescope when sending by post

[stargazerlily]

Hi everyone,

I'm selling my Skywatcher 150PL (see for sale section) and I had originally put down ... Buyer Collect.

The reason for suggesting buyer collect is because I am very unsure about how best to protect a telescope for postage so that it arrives safe and sound.  I know scopes are sent by post every day (e.g. from FLO)  so they can survive the ordeal.

My question is ... what would you suggest I do in order to best protect the telescope for shipment?

I think ... (think as in very unsure) ... I still have the original boxes.

Thank you

Pete

[Linda]

When I ordered my C8 OTA from abroad, it was packed in the original box, containing a thick layer of shaped foam on all sides. It was in good condition. I don't remember whether it was packed into a bigger box. But I suggest you consider packing the inner box into another bigger box stuff filled plastic bags around the inner box. With plastic bags I mean what webshops nowadays use instead of bubble plastic, plastic with bigger air chambers. Maybe you can use  empty plastic wine bags. Or find another solution. Egg-boxes, roles of toilet paper?

[knobby]

Or maybe search the forum for 'unboxing reports' might find some images of people unboxing stuff. Just re read this and it might seem a bit sarcastic... but it's not meant to be 

[stargazerlily]

1 hour ago, knobby said:

Or maybe search the forum for 'unboxing reports' might find some images of people unboxing stuff. Just re read this and it might seem a bit sarcastic... but it's not meant to be 

 

That's a very  good idea 

Pete

 

[MARS1960]

As a retired courier for many different companies i suggest whatever it takes then double it.

You would not believe how parcels get treated, especially when they go through the hub, it's a case of see how far you can throw it or kick it, regardless of whether it's stamped fragile all over or not.

[John]

Takahashi ship their scopes using the "box within a box within a box" approach. I think Skywacher use at least double boxing. I don't think couriers will cover damage to optics so it might be worth insisting that the buyer accepts the risk of carriage.