Hello All:

This is my first post to group; so, that fact may give
you an indication of my passion on the subject of
ignorant, negligent, or just plain uncaring "don't
give a s**t" microscope packing jobs done by
(unfortunately) many eBay sellers.

Appended (between the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-lines below)
is a slightly editted copy of a "PACKING CHECKLIST"
that I send to eBay sellers from whom I purchase
microscopes, and other delicate instruments. Feel free
to borrow and/or modify whatever text you might find
useful for your own transactions.

I too, have found that many seller's simply ignore the
instructions. However, I have had other sellers
actually mail me thanks for the information, and a few
have indicated that they unpacked scopes that they
thought were all ready to ship; then they repackaged
them using the information that I provided.

We all know that eBay Feedback can be used as a
retalitory weapon by sellers who resent an honest
appraisal of their actions posted by a good-faith
buyer.

I might suggest that we standardize a
"Microscope@yahoogroups.com" Packing Checklist that we
all could use for such transactions--a hotlink to a
webpage with a photo-illustrated version of list might
be a good idea.

Since eBay feeback can work against even saints, why
not establish our own "Rouges Gallery" to identify the
worst offenders? If we had a webpage version of the
checklist, it could certainly include, or link to,
such a page. (Photo documented cases would help drive
the point home to prospective sellers, particularly if
one established the habit of photographing a package
as received; opened enough to show the packing
material [frequently of inadequate type and volumne];
and then detailing any resultant shipping damage.)

If maintained and used regularly enough, such webpages
(packing checklist and rouge gallery) could provide an
easy and convenient way for microscope buyers to
convey both their expectations of a shipper, and the
consequences of ignoring those expectations, by simply
posting a notice on their eBay "Me" profile. Such
notice might state: "I subscribe to the packaging and
shipping standards established by the Microscopy Group
at yahoo; and, I report damage resulting from poor
packing to the Rouges Gally."

For what it's worth, here's my list:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: PACKING CHECKLIST for (user name) eBay item -

Hello,

This is generic form letter to eBay sellers who are
about to send delicate or fragile items, PARTICULARLY
VINTAGE MICROSCOPES, to eBay purchaser (user name).

First of all, please do not take offense that I send
you this note--unless I have received packages from
you recently enough to remember, I do not know how you
pack your shipments. I would prefer to err on the side
of caution before shipping, rather than commit time
and energy to resolving a dispute later. You would not
believe what some eBay sellers concept of adequate
packing of fine instruments is! I have received fine
microscopes, which managed to survive the preceding
century in great condition, literally destroyed and in
pieces because of the ineptness and/or negligence of
some sellers. I have opened packages to such horrors
as main tubes broken away from focusing racks,
objective lenses driven through sub stage condenser
irises, and (unfortunately common) vintage wooden
storage cases split apart with internal partitions
broken away and other signs of battering.

1: The first thing to remember: Microscopes are
delicate, precision instruments.

A lens surface that rubs on material as soft as
newsprint through shipment vibrations is RUINED.

The diaphragm blades of a condenser iris are exposed,
not encased as in a camera lens, and are easily bent
or broken by contact with other components or
structure of the microscope.

Focusing wheels, filter sliders, iris adjusting lever,
etc., are not robust structures--they are designed for
careful handling in use. One needs to consider that
fact when placing packing materials, especially if
several loose items or disassembled scope components
are to be packed in a common box where they might move
into contact with each other.

2: The parts of an assembled microscope move.

Nose-pieces and sub stage condensers rotate. Mirrors
swivel on their gimbals.

Ocular lenses will slip out of draw tubes. Draw tubes
themselves slide.

Main tubes, stages, and condensers move up and down on
their racks.

If the scope does not have adjustment locks on ALL of
these movements, and few do, then one must take
measures to secure them for shipment. (Just look at a
few antique microscope listings on eBay and notice how
many photos show an objective lens in contact with the
specimen stage. Now, imagine what happens to that lens
during the jiggling and vibration of shipment, perhaps
a Trans-Atlantic journey.)

3: A storage case is not a shipping container.

A storage case is designed to keep dust off an
instrument when it is not in use, and to provide a
convenient, consolidated store place for the scope and
its accoutrements in a STATIC ENVIRONMENT. It is not
designed, nor intended, for securing the instrument
and its attachments against the dynamic movement,
shocks, and vibration they will encounter in modern
shipment handling.

Lenses, filters, condensers and other attachments WILL
fall out of their niches and compartments. The scope
itself, and the heavier accessories WILL split, break,
and batter the partitions and tabs of storage cases
that are only designed to organize them while sitting
on a shelf or lab bench.

4: Remember physics.

The scope is a heavy instrument. When the package is
moving the scope's mass is moving with it. When the
package stops, the scope mass wants to keep moving. IT
HAS MOMENTUM! (Drop a 10-pound sledge hammer head from
waist height--about the height where the package
handler who trips will be holding my microscope--onto
a concrete floor. See the energy? Now, imagine that
was a 10-pound brass microscope inside of an
100-year-old wooden storage case.)

A heavy microscope, even stripped of the more
vulnerable components, can still be destroyed by such
a fall, if it does not have sufficient,
shock-absorbing, packing material around it. Main
frames can be bent out of alignment; let alone the
more common occurrence of bent draw tubes.

SUGGESTIONS:

Strategically disassemble the scope (within your
capabilities) to isolate and protect the components
individually before consolidating the package.

Remove objective lenses, oculars (eyepieces),
condensers, filters, mirrors (if loose fit), and other
components that are likely to dislodge, or that can
move into contact with the microscope body and be
damaged. Package the components to protect them
individually. (Whether you use paper, bubble wrap,
confetti, or plastic "peanuts", does not matter; as
long as it it properly applied in adequate quantity.
Remember, if you use loose material, wrap components
against infiltration of the material into the
components' internal workings--self-sealing plastic
bags are great for this; paper and tape is adequate.)

Protect lens surfaces. Lightweight, corrugated
cardboard rolled around the lens to form a tube longer
than the lens can then be folded back and taped; or
better, pinched at each end and taped, then packed in
a separate small box together with the other objective
and ocular lenses. Several small boxes placed, well
separated, inside a main box full of plastic peanuts
is my idea of good packaging.

Secure the scope movements. Wrap and tape, or place
physical barriers such as foam rubber or Styrofoam
blocks, to prevent main tube, specimen stage, sub
stage carrier (assuming you've already removed the
condenser and mirror), and scope base from moving into
contact with each other. The entire scope body can
then be wrapped--bubble wrap is great, but paper and
tape will do the job if done carefully.

At this point, if I were doing the packing, I would
wrap additional padding around the main scope--large
foam rubber scraps or bubble wrap being ideal. I would
then place a thick bed of plastic peanuts in a box;
place the scope centrally; arrange my packaged
components in the box with adequate separation from
the scope, each other, and the box's outer surfaces;
then fill the box beyond the rim (while holding the
flaps up to do so), jiggle the box to settle the
peanuts, but keep it slightly over-filled; then
compress the material with the closing flaps; and
thoroughly secure the box with tape.

The above are only general tips--many materials and
methods can achieve the desired results. By all means,
if you have questions, email me. I am virtually never
in a hurry to receive an item--I am always pleased to
receive one in good condition.

I hope this information is helpful. To repeat, I had
no intent to offend. If I have overlooked any major
concerns, I would welcome your input. Feel free to use
the above text as the basis of your own packing
checklist or as the basis for forum discussions and
the like.

Thank you, for your patience and consideration.

Regards,

(user name)



Send SHIPMENTS to:

(shipping address here)


Mail CORRESPONDENCE ONLY to:

(contact address - if differt from shipping address)

Preferred email address:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

So, any comments or suggestions?

Regards,

Will Long



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