How well was your PC packaged?

[jim.mcintosh]

Over all I'm very pleased with my new PC (3rd from PCS). Build quality and performance are both excellent.

However, the external packaging was just shoddy and unprofessional.

1. Although the PC itself was held with foam inside, the box was too big for the PC and it slid about inside as soon as the box was picked up. PCS had obviously realised this and rather than get the correct size box had just chucked some randomly sized bits of waste foam inside to try and (unsuccessfully) pad things out. I package anything I sell on eBay better than that.

2. Although this isn't directly PCS fault, the box had a hole in its side that looked like someone had kicked it. Luckily they had kicked it on the side with the random extra foam The damage carried on through to the accessories box inside which was also dented, so it must have been a fairly significant impact. DPD had my PC for less than 24 hours and almost managed to wreck it. Good job DPD.

Anyone elses PC packaging arrive like this? Either damaged or not really fit for purpose?

 

[NoddyPirate]

Luckily they had kicked it on the side with the random extra foam

So the PCS system worked perfectly!

Yes, mine was somewhat similar but without the extra packing or footprints. The box was a bit bigger than the PC and it was moving around in there. But was utterly undamaged in any way. So I didn't mind at all.

I guess loosely packed stuff is only a problem where the boxes are getting thrown about - so I think we get lucky that these things are too heavy to throw around easily - it's more likely something would get dumped on top of it.

Someone else has mentioned that PCS don't properly label the exterior of their deliveries - which I think I would agree with.

 

[Rakk]

Anyone elses PC packaging arrive like this? Either damaged or not really fit for purpose?

My last one (in 2019) had a hole in the side, where it looked like someone had put their hand through it whilst trying to lift it, but otherwise it was perfectly fine

Do let PCS know about the state of the packaging though,

 

[Deleted member 17413]

Gotta say, the box my desktop came in was not the same as previous ones (Laptops).
Whether that is a change in packaging over the last decade or if just the difference between the boxes used for laptops and desktops... Not sure, but the weakest link in all of it has been DPD.

Mine was handled like it was a sack of veg, not treated with any respect as all....if it werent for the packing PCS put in with all the foam it would of been smashed to bits being a glass case. No, the foam end peices werent a perfect fit for the box, but extras had been packed down side to stop it moving about and expanding foam used to sit inside the case and support the GPU.

I remember vividly when the driver turned up... I used to have such respect for DPD, last few years its turned completely.

 

[ColEyt]

I have to admit the only complaint I would have about the packaging was that the handle on the box was not strong enough, ie it tore when I picked it up following delivery.

Other than that I would say the packaging was just as good as any other pc I have had delivered over the past 25 years. It was packed tight, thus as always it was a fight to remove the pc from the box. There was no damage to any part of the box (until I of course tried to pick it up by the handle) and the DPD driver handled it from van to my door in such a way that it didn't course me any concern.

 

[scarpa1]

Mine came wrapped on a pallet (haven't got a picture of this) and in pretty much perfect condition apart from loads of condensation inside.

Packaging was a 10/10 though. Certainly helped the PC coming in the actual case box as it didn't move about at all.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

I have to admit the only complaint I would have about the packaging was that the handle on the box was not strong enough, ie it tore when I picked it up following delivery.

Other than that I would say the packaging was just as good as any other pc I have had delivered over the past 25 years. It was packed tight, thus as always it was a fight to remove the pc from the box. There was no damage to any part of the box (until I of course tried to pick it up by the handle) and the DPD driver handled it from van to my door in such a way that it didn't course me any concern.

You were lucky.... box for monitor and system separate, driver tried to carry both at same time, didnt pull into driveway stayed on road, and ripped hole into corner of one box holding both by ends and half dragging, half lugging the boxes in small jumps across floor like heavy sacks of potatoes.

Literally had to shout at him across driveway and rush out to stop him, even when i've said whats in teh boxes and the cost there wasnt even an apology or any sort of recognition...it was a real "!I dont give a ****" attitude/behaviour.
PCS extended my warranty as an apology but never anything back from DPD other than a template "sorry to hear" email...never anything about an outcome/apology/compensation for how they'd acted.
Not a company I trust anymore.

 

[ojmck22]

Yes the packaging can be a bit on the light side. My machine arrived working perfectly and nothing was damaged although the cardboard box's handles had torn up and left two large holes on either side. I'm not sure what solution there could be to this issue that seems quite common but hopefully PCS can do something about it.

 

[Citrus_9]

Yes the packaging can be a bit on the light side. My machine arrived working perfectly and nothing was damaged although the cardboard box's handles had torn up and left two large holes on either side. I'm not sure what solution there could be to this issue that seems quite common but hopefully PCS can do something about it.

Solution is simple - use more packaging stuff and triple wall boxes. They're more expensive but many times more reliable.

 

[scarpa1]

Yes the packaging can be a bit on the light side. My machine arrived working perfectly and nothing was damaged although the cardboard box's handles had torn up and left two large holes on either side. I'm not sure what solution there could be to this issue that seems quite common but hopefully PCS can do something about it.

Put the PC in the box the case comes in, surely this must be available? Not sure how PC get their cases delivered. Mine did come in the actual case box so it was a perfect fit.
Some fragile, glass inside, do not stack and handle with care stickers would surely help.

 

[Citrus_9]

Put the PC in the box the case comes in, surely this must be available? Not sure how PC get their cases delivered. Mine did come in the actual case box so it was a perfect fit.
Some fragile, glass inside, do not stack and handle with care stickers would surely help.

Unfortunately, delivery drivers ignore those warnings on the boxes or due to rushing (also, it's dark in the vans) see them too late.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

I dont think there is always the option of a box from the case.... would they not bulk buy, in which case perhaps packing is just foam and industrial wrap with several per pallet? Id be prepared to pay an extra £10 on delivery to get better boxes to start with to be fair, when you are spending £2K or more the extra £10 is meaningless but would make a big difference to the customer themselves when it turns up solidly packed and protected.

Half the problem with it is the quotas and time constraint many delivery services work to...look at amazon, its more or less pay per delivery made and im thinking penalties for missing time deadlines. DPD have grown massively over 10 years, it feels like part of that included streamlining on attention to detail and adding target quotas on a tight timeframe.

 

[jim.mcintosh]

Some good suggestions here. I think at a minimum they need to use double wall boxes with more prominent markings about the fragility and value of the item inside. Maybe a better method for packing out an outsize box so the stuff inside is held better.

Sounds like my experience wasn't isolated.

 

[Calibos]

What do people do on delivery wrt signing for the packages? We dont all take our PC’s out in front of the driver to inspect them do we?

Whats the procedure? Sign straight away and let driver go if the box looks un damaged and nothing is rattling inside? Hold onto the driver while you inspect the PC? Note the box damage on the docket when signing but let the driver go??

Haven’t had anything this big and expensive delivered in one go in over a decade.

 

[Rakk]

What do people do on delivery wrt signing for the packages? We dont all take our PC’s out in front of the driver to inspect them do we?

Whats the procedure? Sign straight away and let driver go if the box looks un damaged and nothing is rattling inside? Hold onto the driver while you inspect the PC? Note the box damage on the docket when signing but let the driver go??

They will not wait for you to unpack it and check it, they just do not have the time, these delivery drivers are kinda run off their feet anyways and have absolutely no time to spare

No-one is actually signing anything at the mo anyways, as they wont let anyone touch their devices at the mo (covid), you can tell the driver to mark it as unchecked or damaged if it looks damaged - though whether it would actually be noted down or not is something else, take photos if you need evidence.

 

[jim.mcintosh]

Be careful when he delivers it that you give it a quick check over as soon as he puts it down. My wife took mine in while I was at work and the driver clearly put the parcel down so the damage was obscured and then he scarpered quick.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Be careful when he delivers it that you give it a quick check over as soon as he puts it down. My wife took mine in while I was at work and the driver clearly put the parcel down so the damage was obscured and then he scarpered quick.

Yes, if possible, open the box before the driver leaves, just say hang on a second before I sign for it I want to check it. Then if there's any damage reject delivery. That would then return the build to PCS.

 

[NoddyPirate]

In my experience in my part of Ireland at least - after an unhealthy amount of deliveries recently - you’ll have two chances of the drivers waiting for you to do anything.

I’ve had just one driver require a signature in the last 30 deliveries I’d say - and quite a few were back in their van before I even opened the door, so telling them to note anything wouldn’t work either.

At the same time, I think there is little to worry about with all this with PCS - there has been examples of stuff damaged in transit - most recently a smashed glass side panel - and PCS haven’t even flinched before they have sorted it out. A lesser company might try to challenge you over when or how damage occurred, but PCS just don’t seem to want to do anything other that resolve the problem as quickly as they can as far as I can tell.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

With stuff like this, I would always sign it as unchecked, but as mentioned, dont get the chance to sign much these days...

With mine, I record the unboxing and check everything over (2 laptops and a desktop now), so any damage is on record. Given my experience with DPD when they delivered recently, you will forgive me for having recorded absolutely everything...from cutting the tape on the box right through to physically turning it on, every part was inspected and checked all on tape.
Also then took a load of photos of bits but that was not related to delivery.

 

[Calibos]

With stuff like this, I would always sign it as unchecked, but as mentioned, dont get the chance to sign much these days...

With mine, I record the unboxing and check everything over (2 laptops and a desktop now), so any damage is on record. Given my experience with DPD when they delivered recently, you will forgive me for having recorded absolutely everything...from cutting the tape on the box right through to physically turning it on, every part was inspected and checked all on tape.
Also then took a load of photos of bits but that was not related to delivery.

I'm a newsagent that is a Parcel Collection and Drop-off point for Fastway, DPD, DHL, FEDEX and GLS. We get enough parcels inwards and outwards for/from the first 3 that I have built up a relationship with the drivers so all my personal deliveries from them are treated with care by them as soon as they are on their particular Van at any rate. However, we get so little stuff from/for FEDEX/GLS that I wouldn't even recognise the drivers nevermind have built up a first name basis personal relationship with them so I don't expect any special care will be taken with my pacakge with the FEDEX driver. LOL