Shipping to S&W question

[rtquig]

I emailed S&W about concerns of FTE. They said they will send me a label to ship back to them for repair. For those of you that have done this, did you use the box it came in, insured it, or packed it in a different box? Can they ship it back to me or does it have to go to a firearms dealer?
Thanks for any answers.

 

[docq68]

I just got mine back this afternoon!
I put it in the original box, taped it well, then covered that with brown paper and taped it well. Put on the shipping sticker and called fed ex for pickup. They give you a number. The guy came to the house and picked it up the next day, I informed him it was a firearm. 3 weeks later (snow storms and such up north) it shows up today at my house. I will be at the range this weekend to give her a try!

 

[TommyW]

For starters, I would ship it in a different box other than the one it came in. You never know, things sometimes have a tendancy to disappear, especially if you want to keep the original box.

I usually send mine back to Smith via UPS and have it insured.

As far as the return, My toys have been shipped back to me via Fedex, marked "ADULT SIGNATURE REQUIRED", meaning that someone MUST be there to receive and sign for it. They won't merely leave it at the door and drive away. To me, that's a good thing. I don't think that you would want someone to leave your gun unattended at your door all day while you're at work.

 

[bulldozerd8t]

I emailed S&W about concerns of FTE. They said they will send me a label to ship back to them for repair. For those of you that have done this, did you use the box it came in, insured it, or packed it in a different box? Can they ship it back to me or does it have to go to a firearms dealer?
Thanks for any answers.

I shipped it back in the box it came in and s&w pays for everything.The gun after they are done with it will be shipped to your house. S&W ships with fed ex they will send instructions what to do. When I shipped mine s&w said to send all mags I didn't ,wished I did because they replace all your mags with ones that says 25rds on them. When s&w shipped it back it was doubled boxed. You go online too to get info from s&w site.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Here is how I did mine.

Turned original box inside out (no gun names on outside of box)

Slapped FedEx shipping label on box

Took box to FedEx

Got receipt from FedEx and was instructed to hold onto the receipt as proof that I had given it to them and that the tracking number was also on the receipt.

Lost receipt before I even got home.

Waited for less than two weeks and rifle was returned in working order.

 

[Brett248Vista]

Here's how I did it..

• Put rifle in original box (unloaded of course)
• Called S&W and got RMA and call tag shipped to me
• Drove to local Fed Ex Hub with Rifle in original box
• Answered a bunch of questions from bystanders because I had a gun..
• Put 2 Fed Ex boxes over original box and taped them together
• Handed box to Fed Ex employee
• Took receipt from Fed Ex employee
• Drove home
• Waited 1 week
• Signed for package and had gun back!

 

[W.E.G.]

NEVER ship a firearm in any container that has visible markings that would indicate that the contents are a firearm.

 

[industrialfish]

NEVER ship a firearm in any container that has visible markings that would indicate that the contents are a firearm.

In fact, USPS won't even accept it if it has any firearm indications on it.

 

[rtquig]

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking of the same box it came in taped well and covered with brown paper or even a second box as has been suggested.

 

[UpstateNY]

Here is what I did...

Took off all accessories and returned the gun to stock
Disassembled my gun in two
Wrapped each half in bubble wrap, paying special attention to the crown
Placed both halves in a standard rectangular shipping box with a few extra packing noodles
Shipped the package with pre-paid FedEx label from S&W
Waited 2 weeks
Signed for package (adult signature required)
Gun came back in an original 15-22 box that was inside another non-labeled box

 

[W.E.G.]

covered with brown paper

While some shipping agents seem to be unaware, shipping regulations generally PROHIBIT acceptance of packages in wrapping paper (brown-color, or otherwise).


Packaging
and
http://fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_Preparing_Your_Package.pdf?link=4
and
USPS News Release: Make Sure Packages Arrive Safe, Sound, and On Time

 

[des547]

Much like the rest of the folks in this thread I sent mine back in the original box, wrapped in brown paper and FedEx didn't say a thing about it. Got it back in a couple of weeks with the original box inside another box. Worked great.

I would suggest you keep both the original box and the one they ship it back in. That way if you ever need to ship it back again you will have a plain box to use.

Des

 

[TRWXXA]

DO NOT wrap your shipping box in paper!!

Just imagine that paper tearing off and the shipping label affixed to it vanishing. How long do you think it'll be before that package makes it to its destination?

If there are markings on the box you don't want to show, do exactly what ChattanoogaPhil said... Disassemble the box, and reassemble it inside out. Or get another box.

I can't believe FedEx or UPS agents would accept a paper-wrapped box. It's a strict no-no.

 

[chuck s]

Like UpstateNY I broke mine into two sections, wrapped both in bubble wrap, and sent it back in a standard size box. It was returned to me in a retail box inside a shipping box just larger than the retail box.

It will require an adult signature. Mine was delivered to my house on Christmas Eve 2009 in the early evening. Guess FedEx thought it was a Xmas present.

-- Chuck

 

[jrobert218]

I wish I would've asked around on here too. I sent mine back through a local shop and wouldn't you know it took over a month.

 

[rtquig]

I'll put it inside another box. My brother has several internet stereo web sites and ships out both UPS and Fedex every day. I'll wrap it at his store and have it picked up there. I had never heard about not using the paper before, thanks for the tip.

 

[bb818]

Shipped my 15-22 back to S&W

Shipped mine back to S&W today. Serial # DTH****. Packed it in the original box and an unmarked box over the original. Also included my extra mags. Let you know when it comes back........

 

[rtquig]

Shipped mine back to S&W today. Serial # DTH****. Packed it in the original box and an unmarked box over the original. Also included my extra mags. Let you know when it comes back........

I'm still waiting for the label that they said on Monday would be here in 3-5 days! Maybe it will come today. If they do I'll bo to my brothers and pack it up and it can go out Monday afternoon.

 

[rtquig]

Finally had a day off and got to my brothers store. As luck would have it, the Fedex guy showed up while I was there. Hopefully turn around will be 2 weeks or so.

 

[Grog]

When I ship anything, I attach an address label on opposite sides as well as insert a loose slip inside, and another one attached to whatever I am sending (have used a large ziploc bag with the label inside with the item).


It's only overkill until a single label gets mangled