Posting CRT TVs
 

Hi,

How well do CRTs handle postage? I know it'll depend on packaging and handling too.

I'm interested in a CRT TV but I know for sure I couldn't collect it in person.
I think it'll be well packaged and I know it's being sent with Royal Mail

It's a 1980s TV.

Has anyone else had experience with posted CRTs?

Ideally I wouldn't risk it but I have no choice if I want it.

Thanks

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

It depends if the packing will protect the set from being dropped and to an extent luck.
I had a large set collected by anyvan I took a chance and it paid off, the set arrived undamaged. However had it been dropped it would have been damaged.
Some employees of couriers and RM just don't give a damn and treat packages with contempt . I fairly recently bought a very well made tape recorder which was very well packed. The package had been thrown around and the tape recorder fairly badly damaged.
If the set is double boxed with plenty of packing between the boxes so if the box is dropped the inner box cannot contact the ground you stand a chance...

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

This, exactly! I had a little 10" set that was sent via ParcelForce and this was the advice I gave to the sender..and it arrived perfectly intact. A 'box within a box' method is the way to go.

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

Hi,

Should I get the TV i’ll recommend that to the seller. After all, with the weight of CRTs, i dont think extra packaging will add too much weight!

I’ve asked the seller how they plan to package it up should it need delivery.

Thanks

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

my rule of thumb is, don't assume the sender will realize how the parcel might be treated. Sometimes the way to pack something needs spelling-out.

For example I would recommend a 21in colour crt set to be put in a box the size of a washing machine with the packing material to match.:)

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

So quite a bit of packaging, then!

I think the TV is around 22” - give or take.
What’s a good packaging material? I’d guess wrap the TV in multiple layers of bubble wrap, and then should scrunched up newspaper be okay?

I’ll ask the seller to pack the best way possible, should I buy it. (fingers crossed I do, although)

Thanks

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

I have had many TV’s posted to me over the years, most arrived un-damaged, even had a bare colour CRT sent to me which survived! I must say though, it seems. That the handling of parcels is getting worse, and parcels that clearly say fragile on them get the worst treatment. The largest set I had delivered was a 20” Bang & Olufsen, which arrived in a massive box, and was filled with bags of rubbish to protect it!

My guess is it survived the journey because it wasn’t possible to pick it up and throw it, it was just too big and awkward! I would also advise against using newspaper, it’s crap as packing material, doesn’t absorb shocks, and just squashes down and stays that way, I had some Bakelite radios packed in newspaper once, they didn’t survive.

I used to work at a place that made computer equipment for the film industry, and I remember once we had just finished building one and packed it into its flight case, UPS came to collect it and the driver promptly picked it up and launched it into the back of the truck, my boss saw it happen and gave him a right shouting at! He made the driver wait whilst we brought it back inside and opened it up again to fully re-test it. It still worked fine!

Regards
Lloyd

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

I had a bare TV with a blanket thrown over it, transported by a specialised courier (he sometimes crosses the channel with a single can of industrial grade paint strapped down on a euro pallet in the back - so not someone who throws customers stuff around), but if I would have actually had to pay him the full rate for the trip, it would probably only be appropriate for the more expensive sets. I'd rather not have a TV transported by a general postal service but if it's small enough to double box with enough padding, it will probably be okay.

I think correctly wadded up newspaper is better at absorbing shocks than bubble wrap, but both have their place in packing. Bubble wrap would definitely make a good first few layers around the set itself in the inner box. Instead of newspaper, air filled bags or sturdy foam could be used between the boxes. Air bags could also be used to fill up the space inside the TV set to provide some support to heavy components.

I agree that a largish package that is inconvenient to handle is less likely to be thrown around or dropped from significant height, but it can still be damaged from stuff falling on it and/or penetrating. Or it could be dropped from the back of the van by accident, because it's inconvenient to handle.

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

Television receivers were never delivered to the dealers by post! OK you may be lucky but I know of many small models such as the TV22 that arrived smashed to bits despite careful packing and to be honest I'm not surprised.
It just seems a shame that something that has survived intact for over 60 years ends it's day this way.

If it is not a rare model such as a 1980's model mentioned then maybe worth a chance but if a bit more interesting the Forum Courier Service may be able to help.

Failing this a train journey and maybe a taxi may cost no more than guaranteed delivery [not!]. Just my thoughts. Hope you find something! John.

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

Ask the seller if they have actually found a box big enough to package a 22" TV with enough packing on all sides (at least 4" of packing) and got a quote to send it from Royal mail.
I really cant see them collecting something that big and heavy unless its some special service that will cost a fortune.
I have had enough trouble despatching something like a suitcase type record player once its packed up well enough!
Steve.

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

I was lucky that the seller of my Pye still had the original box & packaging, so it arrived OK by courier.

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

Indeed, the original packaging is always the ideal scenario. A 22" set is a lot of bulk and weight (CRT's being naturally front-heavy). If it was me sending it I'd probably knock together some wood reinforcement and ply around the inside (of the outer box), at least to give more structural integrity.

This! :thumbsup:

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

I would not risk a 22" set, the chances are it will arrive in bits!
The only sets I have had posted to me are small ones, a recent purchase was a Perdio portarama, the seller had packed it very well indeed, so arrived undamaged.

A friend was not so lucky with a bakelite GEC, the cabinet was in several pieces, but the CRT was amazingly intact.

Also bear in mind that CRT sets are not covered by the couriers insurance.
:beer:
Mark

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

I think for now I might not have it delivered. I did wonder if larger sets would fare worse than smaller.
As it's too far away for a round trip, I've asked if they could meet up somewhere in between. I'd much rather prefer that.

Perhaps if they decline I can put out a request on the forum courier, but that'll be a last resort as I don't want to put anyone out unnecessarily.

Thanks

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

sometimes it's worth considering if it's actually worth the heartache. I've given up buying vintage radios that are posted and wouldn't even bother with a vintage tv. You can only see so much smashed bakelite before it becomes nauseating

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

That's my thought too, it's in really good condition too, so wouldn't want to find it smashed to bits, or with a hole instead of a screen, with glass and metal everywhere.

I think I'll avoid postage, even if it does mean having to pass on it.

It'll be an interesting buy so I really hope I can figure a way out.

Thanks

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

I have bought quite a few CRT colour TVs in recent years. They were all small though, between 5" and 9" screen.

All were well packed by the sellers. Only one got really thrown around badly. That was a Sony KV9000 and its case was cracked in several places. The set had been stored in very damp conditions with PC boards covered in grime. I paid very little for it and was going to use it for spares for another set.

Despite a very poor outlook, I decided to see if I could get it working and ended up doing a lot of work on it. Its on now, as I write this, and producing a very good picture too.

One caution I might add about posting CRT TVs and colour in particular is that there have been reports of shadow mask slippage due to excess forces (dropping) a shadow-mask CRT.

When I buy older sets and ones with bigger CRTs I have always collected in person.

Re: Posting CRT TVs
 

Hi,

I’ll be trying to pick it up now with a meet up or if not possibly via the forum service if someone is willing to help out, all costs paid for.

I never gave the shadow mask a thought but I will not take postage now.

Thanks