I thought I’d ask the wise members of COTH which box/size is best for shipping a saddle. I had to build one out of two boxes last time, and I’d like to avoid that again if I could. Is there one at a Home Depot/Lowes/etc type store that works well? Thanks!
When I needed to ship a saddle I purchased a box from the UPS Store, I think it was 19x19x19.
I heard it’s much cheaper to wrap it like crazy with bubble wrap and Saran Wrap and send it with insurance. Then the cost is much lower because the box dimensions are no longer a factor.
Hmm…I’m wondering if UPS/USPS will accept a saddle wrapped in plastic, bubble wrap, and tape to ship? Anyone done that?
Many western folks do it. I had a conversation on a thread and I think they all will do it. I heard USPS is much cheaper, but UPS wasn’t that expensive and actually wrapped one saddle for a woman.
Hmm…I’m wondering if UPS/USPS will accept a saddle wrapped in plastic, bubble wrap, and tape to ship? Anyone done that?
That would make me so nervous. I mean, yeah, bubble wrap is protective, but still, what if they set a big box on top of it. There’s no structure. (Not that a box offers a ton, but it does offer some.) I couldn’t get myself to do that.
Sorry for the double post–darn work wifi! Paradox expressed my concern with the bubble wrap approach-- the lack of structure. I know my saddle measures nearly 25 inches from cantle to front of flap and that’s the hitch with finding a box. I had to put two boxes together with tape last time to achieve the dimensions needed.
When mine arrived it was in a barrel. It sat in my house for ages just in case…
Oh…I have a barrel, but I’m not willing to let that baby go just yet! This is a short hop of a shipping job and I think I’ve found the correct sized box at Home Depot. I’ll pick it up and get this saddle to its new home ASAP.
I’ve shipped saddles in way smaller boxes than you might expect them to fit in, lol! Just bubble wrap and fit into box…I figure it’s probably safer than having them rattle around in a big box. But the one I told you I just got came in an old Chewy box (if you ever order anything from them). If you and I connecting wasn’t the whole issue out of the gate I would give you the box I have :lol:
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For a jump saddle 16x16x24, I think.
Dover shipped me an Amerigo in a huge box with no packing at all. Just the saddle, in a plastic bag. I could have killed them.
I’ve also received saddles shipped in a big box with no packing, just a large plastic bag over the saddle. From a dealer and from a FB seller. Both saddles arrived in good shape, but it was not what I expected for shipping a saddle.
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PNW- I’m buying the box tomorrow and it’ll definitely have more than a bag around it! :lol: I save packing material from all my amazon buys. We will get that saddle safely on its way— how the heck this has taken so long for so short a hop is a mystery!
:lol: As I said before…no rush! :lol: I really thought that I would wind up in Portland with a couple hours to spare somewhere along the way, but I guess Murphy and his dang laws got in the way somehow. Go figure!
Actually most of the packing material is useless. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not use packing peanuts unless you hate the person. They are useless and make a huge mess.
A saddle with cover in a trash bag is enough. 2 major companies ship like this with very little issues. Saddles are not as delicate as most people think. If you want more, just add a little foam or bubble wrap to the bottom of the box and over the cantle. Everything else is not needed. I have had boxes pretty much destroyed and the saddle was fine using this method. Smaller box is better so the saddle does not move around and cost less.
Sheltona01- I ship them in a tight fitting box with bubble wrap around the saddle, and a bit of wadded paper to keep the saddle from moving around. That’s it. No peanuts, ever!
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I would recommend adding a trash bag for water proofing. I just had a box soaking wet arrive. Box was destroyed but the saddle was fine.
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I used to buy an old blanket at a resale shop to wrap saddles tho I agree with above to also use a trash bag for waterproofing.
