Why would I ship my $4000 camera in a plastic bag (Page 2): I suspect they specified the bag because they thought you you had enough sense to protect the camera from shock, but didn’t...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

vininnj2u wrote:

I sent in my Z8. Wrapped it in towel. Put it in a plastic bag with the packing slip. Then put it in a box and attached the shipping label. Hope Nikon accepts it, but, I wasn’t going to ship my $4000 camera in a plastic bag. Have you ever seen the way packages are handled by UPS and other shippers, especially if they are marked FRAGILE. I just couldn’t do it.

I suspect they specified the bag because they thought you you had enough sense to protect the camera from shock, but didn’t know how you would do it. I typically use bubble-wrap and/or wadded up plastic bags from the grocery store, but you could also use debis-creating styrofoam.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

MrPhotog wrote:

if not AI the just plain I.

I'd put the camera in a plastic bag just to protect it from the 'crumbs' of the packing foam bits that fill the shipping box. Damage from those seems more likely than damage from rain or other water.

Or better yet just common sense.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

I'll guess they surmise that the camera would be in packing material (bubble wrap, etc.) in the box,
not just in a plastic bag in a box.
They didn't mean a plastic shipping bag either, they meant in a plastic bag to keep it dry if the box got wet.

Wait a minute! I put mine into a Ziplock and stuck a label on the outside. Was that not the way to ship it? 🤣

Actually, I used bubble wrap and those bags of air. It went to UPS in the same box that B&H used to ship it to me.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Not to get into a UPS/FedEx...i.e. Ford/Chevy or Canon/Nikon argument, but the few times I've sent my Nikon back to the factory, I've always used Fed-Ex. They do the measurement of the item in front of me, select the box & ask if I agree to the size, wrap-seal the item in plastic, partially fill the box with popcorn & place the item in & then fill the rest of the way, as well as sealing & labeling it fragile on all sides.
I accidentally lost my shipping receipt once & they were able to reissue it just based on the date & my phone number.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

GLSmith wrote:

Not to get into a UPS/FedEx...i.e. Ford/Chevy or C... (show quote)

Since Nikon is paying shipping and postage, I used their UPS label.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

My Z9 was recalled right from the get go. They had the same instructions. Fortunately I live 1 hour away from the L.A. Service Center (Only West Coast Nikon repair shop). No way was I putting it in a box even with aa foot of bubble wrap around it. I drove to and from the Service Center to drop off and pick up. They also did a full clean on the camera at no charge. Camera has been perfect ever since. Even if the repair shop was in another state I would still hand deliver. But that's me.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

My Z9 was recalled right from the get go. They had the same instructions. Fortunately I live 1 hour away from the L.A. Service Center (Only West Coast Nikon repair shop). No way was I putting it in a box even with aa foot of bubble wrap around it. I drove to and from the Service Center to drop off and pick up. They also did a full clean on the camera at no charge. Camera has been perfect ever since. Even if the repair shop was in another state I would still hand deliver. But that's me.

Not everyone has the luxury of time to waste driving half way across the country to get a camera fixed.
Ps, your Z9 was shipped in a box to the store or directly to you. Think of that.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Architect1776 wrote:

Not everyone has the luxury of time to waste driving half way across the country to get a camera fixed.
Ps, your Z9 was shipped in a box to the store or directly to you. Think of that.

Partially correct. I bought the camera in the store, in person, at Samy's Camera (1 hour away).

Validation: As a last option I would ship via box but do so with the utmost of care in packing.

Fact: I have seen virtually every delivery service have that ONE delivery driver who tosses the package to the ground (on my Ring Doorbell). I don't care how well it is packed, a camera is sensitive expensive tool and I don't wish to risk it.

It is I who opts to hand carry. I am retired and don't have the extra funds to dole out for another Z9 (unnecessarily).

It's like buying a new car (Corvette is my choice) and going to the drag strip and beating on it all day. Sure it is made to do that, but it is wear and tear on the vehicle.

I pamper and baby my photography equipment to make it last. Sure accidents happen but no sense creating an opportunity for that if it is avoidable.

slcarn Loc: Draper, Utah USA

The instructions I read said to ship in a strong box, specifically not the original box. I believe they assume you are smart enough to put packing in the box to protect $4000 camera that you place in a plastic bag. By not using the UPS label provided by Nikon you are assuming shipping and insurance costs.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

JD750 wrote:

I think Vininnj2u is kidding us and it's working. He got me. And several others too. LOL. Good one Vininnj2u.

I concur with your comments. That and the fact that other well-informed UHH'ers also did not comment.
So I will just hold my head to keep it from exploding.
But then I WAY-Overpack Any camera gear that I ship.
Best of Luck to Vininnj2u,
JimmyT Sends

Bill_de Loc: US

vininnj2u wrote:

I sent in my Z8. Wrapped it in towel. Put it in a plastic bag with the packing slip. Then put it in a box and attached the shipping label. Hope Nikon accepts it, but, I wasn’t going to ship my $4000 camera in a plastic bag. Have you ever seen the way packages are handled by UPS and other shippers, especially if they are marked FRAGILE. I just couldn’t do it.

I can't believe we can only get two pages out of a plactic bag thread.

Folks are most likely spending time on things like lenses, filters, and stuff like that.

---

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

Partially correct. I bought the camera in the stor... (show quote)

How do you think Sammy's got the camera?

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Architect1776 wrote:

How do you think Sammy's got the camera?

Samy's got it shipped on a pallet to their warehouse.

Dalbon

I stopped marking my packages fragile because it seems like every time I mark them fragile or handle with care there is always something wrong with them. Maybe not every time but more times then not.
David

JD750 Loc: SoCal

BebuLamar wrote:

There is a thread about saving the box that the camera came in and some said that they saved the box because it's the best to send the camera in when the camera need service.
There are also threads that said if you use third party battery in your camera the manufacturer may void the warranty.
But when you send the camera in (at least in the case of Nikon) they don't want neither the box nor the battery to be sent in.

The sales box is not a shipping box and there are liabilities Nikon doesn't want, with shipping batteries.