Shipping equipment

[Sridhar Ayengar]

der Mouse wrote:
>> On a side note, I once worked someplace where we dealt with computer
>> equipment coming off lease.  [...send out boxes and packing, get back
>> wrecked hardware...]
> 
> Some years back, I did a gig overseas.  They had a pile of old laptops
> which they were giving out to anyone who wanted them because they were
> old ("here, take two, they're small").  I brought one back with me.
> 
> The relevant part is that there was a bunch of stuff which I left with
> them to ship back - mostly fairly indestructible stuff like cables and
> such, but including some three or four more of those laptops.  When
> that stuff arrived, it proved to have been just tossed into a box and
> shipped.  Box not even close to full and no packing material at all.
> 
> The only laptop in working shape was the one I brought back with me.
> (I kept the rest as parts machines....)

That's just plain old stupidity.  Any of the shipping companies will 
tell you in no uncertain terms not to do that, if you would care enough 
to ask.

Peace...  Sridhar