I have a new custom saddle that isnt working for my guy, Had the saddle fitter out today and he said he would order new parts to fix it - and let me know when they came in. Then I will ship it back to them.
Well I no longer have the box and stuffing that came with it - SO…I’m .looking for ideas on the best way to package the saddle such that it arrives in the same condition it was in when it was shipped. …Im worried about it getting damaged as it travels.
Thoughts?
I have shipped a few saddles.i put bubble wrap in bottom of box and then I put the cover on the saddle and then fill the box with bubble wrap and towels/soft cloths to stabilize it. I always ship it priority and insured of course.
Beval shipped a saddle to me and packed it as I have described.
Hope that helps!
I’ve had a saddle shipped to me from a seller on ebay, and they taped bubble wrap all around the saddle (it didn’t have a saddle cover, but I doubt it would make a difference) and filled in the box with bubble wrap as well.
Most distributors ship them in mini-drums.
I bought a big moving box from Walmart. Cut down the sides as small as I could to make the saddle fit with a few inches extra to make it as small as possible. I put a thin piece of styrofoam on the bottom? And a few layers of bubble wrap. I rolled the saddle flaps in and ran 4-5 runs of bubble wrap around the seat/flaps. And a few more runs around the othe way- pommel to cantle. I put it gently in the box. I was able to cut down the box another inch or so once I realized I had enough room. I added more bubble wrap on top of the saddle and another styrofoam piece before I closed the box and taped it up.
I had to ship a saddle back to Dover once. I took it into UPS and I believe they put it in a China Barrel.
This may have been unique to this UPS as when I told them what I needed to ship the man at the counter simply turned to his co-worker (without batting an eye and said) “Steve, what do we usually ship saddles in? A china barrel?” (I nearly had a heart attack on the spot). They packaged it for me and shipped it off (cost about 30$ for handling, but I was happy to pay knowing that the saddle would be safe)
I am shipping a saddle to my saddle fitter and he told me to use the smallest box possible. Put the saddle in a large plastic bag and use bubble wrap to cushion the saddle.
Yes, smallest box possible so it has less room to move around, plus you avoid the extra charges for big boxes (dimensional weight, as they call it, can increase the shipping cost a crazy amount). I use bubble wrap around, plus any of those plastic puffy shipping things I get from stuff sent to me. Do not use peanuts, unless you are sending to someone you truly don’t like. Make sure too that you use a sturdy box, not one of those soft cardboard ones that manufactured goods from China come in.
Good info. Appreciate the input!
I spent a small fortune on this saddle so clearly want it to work for my guy (17’2 hands with knife withers)…sigh
really really hard to fit.
Initially the saddle was measured to fit him. The saddle rep was out today (and we are not near any cities) so this was a drive for him.) Apparently it wasnt made the way it was supposed to have been made. So the saddle company is shipping it free both ways - but I want to make sure I have it packaged appropriately.
Im a bit worried about how well it will travel back to the dealer to get the adjustments it needs…sigh
I have used a dish pack box, they are sturdier and reinforced at the corners. My Tad Coffin saddle shipping box is lined with thick foam on all sides and lid. I usually use lots of bubble wrap on the saddle and bubble wrap to fill the voids in the box. I would put a cover on the saddle also before wrapping it. Insure it for full value and make the receiver sign for it.
I also used a box and cut it down to make it fit as close as possible. I did not have bubble wrap available to me at the time, so I used newspaper crumpled into small plastic shopping bags, and then fit the bags all around the saddle (which was in a saddle cover). It worked very well, saddle shipped to the fitter and back without a scratch on it.
Definitely insure it for full value!
Ship in the smallest box possible, it is preferable for the flaps to curl slightly since you don’t want the saddle to have a lot of room to move. Ship in a saddle cover, wrap bubble wrap around the seat to the pommel and underneath the panels. If it is shipped this way it is not necessary to fill with peanuts or bubble wrap, in fact professional sellers do not fill the box as long as it is packed tightly.
I took mine to Staples. They found the perfect size box, put some paper in, put saddle in, then filled it with packing peanuts. Under $50, I think, and very convenient!
I bought my current saddle used, and it came in a fairly small box (probably had a few inches of clearance all around) The saddle had the cover on, was wrapped in bubble wrap, and a dollar store ball (those 10 or 12" ones) was stuffed in the saddle to keep its shape, then they used paper wto fill up any spaces in the box. It arrived safe and sound (UPS, I think)
I just find a box that saddle can be stood up in. Bubble wrap or tons of paper, especially on the bottom and top. So that there is no movement at all. I send UPS and make sure to add insurance.
I sold a western show saddle recently. Cost was pretty high for shipping but it ended up arriving in perfect condition.
OP are you shipping domestic or international? I just shipped my new custom saddle back to the maker in England. I used a large box from Homedepot and bubble wrap. I hope it arrives ok.
Im shipping from one city to another -all in California.
Good ideas here…and I will insure it appropriately. For me, this is the "saddle of a lifetime ($$$)…and while it is VERY comfortable for me, its too wide for my guy. sigh.
He was measured but I guess Im not “that” surprised…he is really really hard to fit.
sigh
Smallest box possible, bubble wrap, towels, whatever to cussion, and always always in a sealed plastic or trash bag.
Thanks all. Waiting for the parts to come in that will hopefully fix the fit problem, and then we will ship…great ideas. I would probably have gone with a larger box had I not read your suggestions. I can see how a smaller box would keep it from shifting. The last thing I need is for it to get damaged in shipment!
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