Shipping a PC

[GMPoisoN]

How would one go about shipping a PC (water cooled or not) through say, UPS? I hear that the best way to do it, is mark it as fragile, double box it (foam in between each box), and fill the computer full of peanuts, or anti static peanuts, and jam the side cover on so everything stays exactly in place. On top of that, maybe secure each fitting with some sort of absorbent material or cloth, just in case the tubes move around (don't see how they could with it being held in place with peanuts).

Any ideas, thought? Also, is there some sort of insurance you can buy so if they receive it with water everywhere, I won't get sued?

Thank you!

 

[JJ1217]

Take out pieces that would fly around, ie GPU. Of course it seems like you're watercooling, so that won't be a very viable option.. I wouldn't ever ship a watercooled PC, but each to their own.

 

[GMPoisoN]

Take out pieces that would fly around, ie GPU. Of course it seems like you're watercooling, so that won't be a very viable option.. I wouldn't ever ship a watercooled PC, but each to their own.

Well, what if I'm shipping to a somewhat illiterate computer user? Are you sure you wouldn't ship a water cooled pc if it was double boxed with double thick cardboard, expandable foam in between each box, and filled with something inside of the pc to make sure nothing moves at all (packing peanuts, cut out foam, etc...)? Thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

[JJ1217]

You could definitely do that yes. Just make sure you ship with someone who you know covers these things and aren't complete jerks. DHL are good for speed, but horrible as I've seen things been destroyed by them. Find a postal service who'll cover these things. If it can't move, you can't really do damage.

 

[USAFRet]

Ship it in the box the case came in. All the other stuff (kbd/speakers/etc) in another box.

As for the watercooling? That's a tough one. But TigerDirect apparently does it, so I guess it can be done.

What is "a somewhat illiterate computer user" doing getting a liquid cooled setup?

 

[GMPoisoN]

Ship it in the box the case came in. All the other stuff (kbd/speakers/etc) in another box.

As for the watercooling? That's a tough one. But TigerDirect apparently does it, so I guess it can be done.

What is "a somewhat illiterate computer user" doing getting a liquid cooled setup?

Well all I'm going to be telling them to do is re fill it every 6 months, is there anything more one needs to do to maintain a water cooling rig? The reason I'm so convinced I want to ship it filled, is because they may not want to or know how to bleed it themselves.

 

[USAFRet]

fill the computer full of peanuts, or anti static peanuts, and jam the side cover on so everything stays exactly in place.

Don't do this. Some beanhead will take it out of the box, and just turn it on, peanuts and all.

Thousands of PC's are shipped all around the world every day.
forklift-truck-crane-cargo ship-crane-truck-forklift-UPS truck...I've never seen one filled with peanuts so that stuff doesn't shift around inside.

 

[GMPoisoN]

fill the computer full of peanuts, or anti static peanuts, and jam the side cover on so everything stays exactly in place.

Don't do this. Some beanhead will take it out of the box, and just turn it on, peanuts and all.

Thousands of PC's are shipped all around the world every day.
forklift-truck-crane-cargo ship-crane-truck-forklift-UPS truck...I've never seen one filled with peanuts so that stuff doesn't shift around inside.

Thank's for that. If I ended up doing this, I of course would let them know over the phone, while speaking with them about their parts, they must remove the peanuts from inside of it, to be careful of the fragile components, etc..

 

[manofchalk]

I agree, if someone is buying a machine because they don't know how to build one they shouldn't have custom water. Its too complex a thing for someone who is too uncomfortable to build their own to maintain. CLC water-cooling at most (which will help in shipping).

If you insist on selling custom water-loops, leave it dry and include some mechanism to easily fill it up (Fill line using a T-Connector, or a conveniently placed reservoir port) and instructions on how to properly power cycle water through the loop and how to bleed air from it.

Remove the graphics card from the rig and send it in its own box. If you stick it in the machine and it is ever dropped, there is a good chance the PCI-E connector will snap. Same goes for any large air heatsinks on the CPU, except its the whole motherboard that will snap. This is one situation where a water-cooler would be a good option, as there is no weight on the motherboard.
I suggest building the rig, doing all your driver installs and quality control, then removing the graphics card. Include instructions on how to mount the graphics card with the rig, this way all the end user has to do is plug it in and hook it up to power, everything on the software end is done.

If the graphics card is under water, then I think you will have to make the user include that in the loop themselves. I'm thinking you have your tube going to a barb, which then connect to a Female-Female G1/4 adapter, which then goes to the rotary Male-Male G1/4 adapter. It will almost act as a quick disconnect.
This way its easy as screwing in half the rotary fitting to include it in the loop, rather than getting the user put tubing over barb, clamping and all that. Means they can get the GPU into the case and the loop within a few minutes, rather than 20min fighting with tubing.

 

[GMPoisoN]

I agree, if someone is buying a machine because they don't know how to build one they shouldn't have custom water. Its too complex a thing for someone who is too uncomfortable to build their own to maintain. CLC water-cooling at most (which will help in shipping).

If you insist on selling custom water-loops, leave it dry and include some mechanism to easily fill it up (Fill line using a T-Connector, or a conveniently placed reservoir port) and instructions on how to properly power cycle water through the loop and how to bleed air from it.

Remove the graphics card from the rig and send it in its own box. If you stick it in the machine and it is ever dropped, there is a good chance the PCI-E connector will snap. Same goes for any large air heatsinks on the CPU, except its the whole motherboard that will snap. This is one situation where a water-cooler would be a good option, as there is no weight on the motherboard.
I suggest building the rig, doing all your driver installs and quality control, then removing the graphics card. Include instructions on how to mount the graphics card with the rig, this way all the end user has to do is plug it in and hook it up to power, everything on the software end is done.

If the graphics card is under water, then I think you will have to make the user include that in the loop themselves. I'm thinking you have your tube going to a barb, which then connect to a Female-Female G1/4 adapter, which then goes to the rotary Male-Male G1/4 adapter. It will almost act as a quick disconnect.
This way its easy as screwing in half the rotary fitting to include it in the loop, rather than getting the user put tubing over barb, clamping and all that. Means they can get the GPU into the case and the loop within a few minutes, rather than 20min fighting with tubing.

Good idea. I think in most cases I'll just include a closed loop (H100i or Swiftech H220). As for the shipping goes though, would you suggest shipping it in the box the case came with, then putting another box on it with expandable foam in between? Also for the graphics card, a small box with it wrapped in anti static bubble wrap filled with peanuts should do, correct?

One more question, sort of off topic, how does one deal with rebate whilst charging for the rig?

Thank's for your time, appreciate it.

 

[manofchalk]

Use the box the case came in, that's what most of the big retailers do and the manufacturers expect this to some degree, so they overcompensate with packing.
Same with the graphics card, use the packaging it came in. If its water-cooled then it might be a bit loose in the packaging so fill it with peanuts. May also be courteous to include the stock cooler in the shipment if they ever decide to use it. Just place the thermal pads in their correct place on the cooler, cling wrap the thing so they don't dry out and send it in a shoebox filled with Peanuts.

Rebates...
Would charge as if you didn't get them, from what I can tell your looking to cater to people looking for a top end rig and they wouldn't be all too concerned with money (especially if there buying it pre-made rather than home built). The difference would be $50-60 at most across rebates on a whole rig, something your audience wouldn't be too concerned with when its likely your rigs are selling for ~$2000 once you include your profit margin and shipping.
If you manage to get rebates on the parts you buy, just consider it a nice bonus, as they are not guaranteed to come through.