Shipping a VERY Heavy Sub / How to?

[Spells]

I looked through the forums and didn't know which one was best suited to my question. Mods can move if this forum isn't correct.

My Focal CMS Sub has failed - luckily, I had another in storage! - but the one that's broken, needs to be shipped back to the U.K. distributor who have said they will fix it.

It weighs as much as a human being and, I have no packaging for it. I'm in need of a method to transport it to them. Failing any answers, I might have to put a whole day aside to drive it down myself. Equally, they've said they won't ship it back to me for fear of damage. So I need transport.

What do people do in these situations? How can I find a driver / transport co, that'll take a speaker on a three hour drive, with no packaging, and then pick it up again.

Any tips massively appreciated!

[MarkOne]

I’d be looking for a local company who specialise in things like piano moves. Not the cheapest solution I’m sure, but they will be used to shifting things that are a, very heavy and b, expensive and c, liable to damage if dropped. They’ll have the tools and experience required to get it there and back safely.

[sonics]

Surely a job for a reliable taxi or small courier service? I would still box and seal the unit. Make sure the receivers load the speaker in - do not allow the courier to unload it. Then look for quotes. This is a nice and easy job for a taxi driver; no drunk, unreliable, noisy humans involved!

[Urthlupe]

I recently took delivery of a fairly hefty sub housed in a wooden crate from KMR. They used a specialist shipper…. maybe you could call and ask?

Loopy

[resistorman]

If the amp has failed, can't you just take it out and ship that? Looks like a simple plate amplifier.

[Wonks]

According to the spec sheet, it weighs 23kg, which isn’t really that heavy. Small child heavy, not a grown adult.

Have you got no packaging materials at all? Even buying some and paying for a courier is going to be cheaper that the fuel for six hours of driving.

[Spells]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. Yes, it seems a small courier might be the way to go.

Just to note again, that the distributor themselves have said they will not ship it and that it'll have to be picked up. And so, no matter how I get it to them, when it's to come back to me, I'll have to have it picked up anyway. A courier / private service seems the best bet.

Regard the fault, they say it can be one of a few things so best it goes back to them complete.

I'll look up private / small courier firms and also, try some retailers for tips. Good idea!

As well, I have a taxi driver friend... I'll ask him and see what he says. It's an expensive round trip to do twice though... and I suppose a courier service is likely to be back and forth.

[Luke W]

Take a look at the Transglobal Express website. You can put in weight and dimensions of what you'd like to ship and it'll give you a list of which couriers will take it, and the costs. It saves a lot of the hassle of trying different places yourself. You can also book it through them and arrange collection/drop off etc.

You'll need to find some packaging of course, but given the cost and hassle of the alternatives that may be the easiest way still!

[tea for two]

Heaviest item I've shipped was 25.7Kg a smidgen heavier than this Focal sub 23Kg, worth approx £800 over a decade earlier through DPD.

DPD also do collection
https://www.dpdlocal-online.co.uk/servi ... gIHePD_BwE

There's also this family firm that do delivery and collection in wooden crates for businesses and individuals.
https://www.timberpackingcases.com/about-us/
I've never used them.

Is the distributor in London. From Chester to London would be quite hefty £££ 4trips by car, taxi.
If you were going to bring it collect it yourself then via Train and Folding hand truck on wheels for 25kg weight approx £20 is worth considering.
The Focal sub 17.1*14.4*17.3 inches is pretty straightforward to take on board train thereafter buses in London direct to distributors.

I travelled with larger amp on public transport.
Giggle maps will show nearest bus stop to distributor as well as bus number then can search on https://tfl.gov.uk/ which buses to take from train station. Initial search results show train tube, scrolling down is link for buses only. £5.50 daily bus fair cap as many buses as you can take in 24hours.
Bus stop is always nearer to destination also saves going up and down escalators in tube also a lot less walking in tunnels.

I far prefer buses in London also anywhere else in the country. Particularly compared to stress of driving in busy areas, navigating greeting stuck in congested traffic.

I dig your Studio built into an Airstream container.

[Drew Stephenson]

Depending on quotes and how long Focal think they'll need it for I might be tempted to try and work it into a few days away and make a holiday of it.

[ore_terra]

23 kg is not that heavy… I’ve shipped guitar amps all across Europe - including my owns when moving home -.

Check parcelhero. It’s a courier finder and lets you compare prices.

Collecting back from Focal is not a problem either. You can arrange it the same way. I assume they are at least willing to use the same package they receive the sub in, of course.

That said, I’d definitively book a day or two off and drive it myself if you can afford it, it’s the best option.

[Spells]

I think I'm going to get a private courier co. who will have the personal touch, where I can explain the situ' - to take it down... and I'll probably go and pick it up myself. Pain in the behind. Packing it up, I'm not sure how I can - the cone is so vulnerable and it could end up more hassle. Thanks again for all the tips!

[ore_terra]

I think I'm going to get a private courier co. who will have the personal touch, where I can explain the situ' - to take it down... and I'll probably go and pick it up myself. Pain in the behind. Packing it up, I'm not sure how I can - the cone is so vulnerable and it could end up more hassle. Thanks again for all the tips!

packing is the worst part... I've got stuff that I know I could sell relatively easy but I don't put it into the market because I'm just to lazy to do a proper package

[Drew Stephenson]

I think I'm going to get a private courier co. who will have the personal touch, where I can explain the situ' - to take it down... and I'll probably go and pick it up myself. Pain in the behind. Packing it up, I'm not sure how I can - the cone is so vulnerable and it could end up more hassle. Thanks again for all the tips!

Most corner shops will have a stack of cardboard boxes destined for the recycling that they'll be happy to get rid of and that you can cut up and repurpose to make your own packing.
Or if there's a local McDonalds, the boxes their chips come into the store in are again frequently available to the inquiring individual. (Perfect size for house moving as well btw.)