SM
Shawn McDonald
Feb 7, 2026
I shipped a relatively rare, 100+yo banjo and went here because I was promised a “certified packing expert.” The shipping itself was about $260 for ground shipping, not expedited, which was way more than I expected; but that isn’t what my review is based on. My review is based on their awful packing job, and that they charged me for materials they never used.
When I got there, the clerk simply put the instrument, which I had in a case, in a box. He didn’t ask anything about what was in the case, even after I told him I wanted it insured for a high amount. He didn’t look in the case to see what it was or whether it was secured in the case. The box was too wide and too tall. I asked if he was going to put anything in the box to secure the case. He said, “this is the right length box for this. See this line going down the side? I’ll cut the box to reduce its height to better fit the instrument. And I can put some filling in it.” I asked if he could put some “fragile” labeling on it, and he said “of course.”
After billing 260 for the actual shipping, he added on another $55ish for “packing materials.” I asked what that included, as all I saw before me was a box. He said it included the box, the “fragile” labeling, bubble wrap, and browning filler paper. He said they were going to take it to the back to prepare it. Still seemed expensive, but I figured it was also for their expertise, and my convenience.
The instrument arrived undamaged, but that’s not the point. The box was not given any “fragile” labeling of any kind (and the box was in pretty rough shape, because of it). There was no bubble wrap. There was a strand of brown paper that somewhat outlined the case. It did nothing to hold the case in place. The box was cut short like he said he’d do, but the case had a ridiculous amount of space to move around. It really needed some insert of some kind in there, like bubble wrap, or those big bubble space-fillers.
Thankfully I packed the banjo in the case myself. The instrument arrived with no damage, but it had nothing to do with their “certified packing expertise.” (I of course insured the shipment, but cash wouldn’t truly have covered the loss.)
All that to say, always ask to see their work. He should’ve stuck to his word and packed it like he said he would, with bubble wrap and appropriate labeling, especially since I paid for it, but also simply because he said he would.
There’s no way I would’ve taken the risk of shipping this out this way. I would’ve gone and bought materials and packed it myself if I’d known this is what UPS was going to do.