Shipping SDA's

Dennis47

Hi fellow SDA enthusiasts,

I'm new to the site and do not presently own a pair of SDA's, but have
been impressed by them since I first listened to a pair in the early 90's.
I'm thinking of building a Carver system with polk SDA's as front speakers.
It seems my best bet is to obtain a pair online via Club Polk classifieds or
eBay. If I do this I will almost assuredly have to have them shipped.
I understand from other "threads" that may cost $100 or so for something
like the SDA 2 model. Can anyone give me some advise based on their
experience of have received SDA's shipped. Any problems with damage
during transit? How can you trust someone with that kind of up front money?
Would it be better to wait for a local seller? What say you? Also, What is a fair price for a pair of SDA 2 or SDA 1's? I've got the bug!

Dennis

Deadof_knight

some have made it some have been destroyed. My advise is go get them or your gonna pay out the wazuuu to get them crated and shipped undamaged. Insurance is great for replacement of your money but in the end they dont make SDA s anymore so what are you gonna do with your money if you cant replace them. I drove 1000 miles for mine other have driven 700.00 Most of the people on this site are trustworthy we have a good sellers list going.

F1nut

Shipped freight truck, strapped to a pallet gives them a fighting chance.

SLOCOOKN

I would not do it. The shipper may tell you he is going to crate and not do it. My 3.1's were damaged. Shipping is "ok" on smaller speakers. Just wait and buy local...No surprises that way. Mine had 3 blown speaker...Just by local!

shack

ALL speakers are shipped at one time or the other. From factory to warehouse, warehouse to retailer...including SDAs. Most got there safely. Packing is key. Use a shipper experienced in handling large, heavy, breakable packages. Expect it to be expensive for a single shipment.

strider

I'd never have speakers that big shipped again. I paid over $150 to have them boxed up and shipped to Baltimore from Texas. By the time they got here each speaker had some pretty good size dents in the wood tops and bottoms. The drivers survived fine, which I'm thankful of. After spending close to $300 for them including shipping, I wish I'd have waited for something local.

Roy Munson

I don't think it's worth the risk of shipping, too many bad things can happen. If you choose to have SDA's shipped and they are damaged you will most likely have to fight the shipper as their policy [UPS and Fedex] is to turn down most claims regardless of fault! They hope that you will get tired of the hassle and go away!

Ricardo

Even if well packed, a decent blow to the boxes can damage drivers. Something related to the glue in the magnets gone south (Or something like that...). I'd rather wait and picke them up...some people have gone hundreds of miles to get a pair of these.

BobMcG

IMO, buy local or go some distance to pickup. Otherwise it's a coin toss.

Dennis47

Thanks to everyone for the fast resonses and great advise.
Guess I'll just have to find a pair of SDA's in the Mid-West!

Dennis47

F1nut

Dennis, large, heavy speakers crated and shipped properly such as strapped to a pallet, should not be a problem. Shipping via UPS/FedEx can be a crap shoot. It will cost more to do it right, but that's the nature of most things.

BobMcG

F1nut wrote:

Dennis, large, heavy speakers crated and shipped properly such as strapped to a pallet, should not be a problem. Shipping via UPS/FedEx can be a crap shoot. It will cost more to do it right, but that's the nature of most things.

Agreed 100%, as this the manor in which my 2.3s were delivered to me all the way from IL damage free. The only draw back of this for some will indeed be as you pointed out, the cost. It's not cheap to do it right but this is the right way to have them shipped to best avoid damage.

Refefer

Well, there's your answer!

Welcome to the forum.