"Charles Summers" wrote in message
. ..
Say someone was going to sell off some unused equipment that's just
sitting around taking up some space right now. How would he ship them to
the buyer to ensure that they arrived as pretty as the day they were
shipped?

I'm thinking about putting some of my over-abundance of fishing rods/reels
on ebay...

Charles,

I have been shipping rods in carpet tubes for years now. They're cheap
(usually free), easy to come by (most carpet dealers have piles of them) and
best of all, they work. These things are almost 1/4" thick and withstand
all but the most simian-like mail handler.

I cut the tubes about 4-6 inches longer than the longest rod. I then wrap
bubble wrap around the rods at both ends and one in the middle. I insert
the rod into the carpet tube and plug the ends with more bubble wrap to
protect the ends. Then I simply cut 12-16 inch duct tape strips and close
off the ends by taping over the opening. I secure those pieces of tape with
a couple wraps around the tube.

I've sent hundreds of rods all over the country and only once did the U.S.
Postal Service break the rods. On a side note, my brother in law is a
driver for UPS. According to him, and verified by one of my sources at St.
Croix, UPS "buys" more St. Croix rods than any single other source,
including BassPro Shops or Cabela's! I ship rods via USPS and they get
there just fine, and it costs less too.

Insurance and proof of delivery is a must when shipping something like this.
My normal shipping bill for a rod is normally around $25.00.

What I want to know is "What in the heck is going on Charles?" First you
sell your boat, now you're selling off an "over-abundance" of rods???? Let
me tell you son, there ain't no such thing as an over-abundance of rods.....
Unless you're dead or turning into some kind of rugby song material!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com