Shipping a Custom Computer

Introduction

We all know that shipping expensive items such as Personal
Computers via ANY carrier can sometimes become a gamble. While there are many
tools to protect yourself such as various insurance and coverage plans, there
are thing you can do to go the extra mile and protect your system during
shipment.

First, we're going to discuss how AVADirect packages and
prepares systems, then we will focus on how you can do the same if you ever
have to ship your system back to us (or any other vendor).

AVADirect Shipping Requirements

If shipped Ground, all packages must meet following
requirements:

1)     
Require Signature at pick-up

2)     
Double box

3)     
Insured for the amount paid

4)     
Internal packaging

Let's break these items down one by one:

Signatures – We require signatures on all PC shipments,
since that is a more secure way of ensuring our customer receives the package.
Packages that aren't signed or cannot be signed by the recipient are sent back
to AVADirect by the shipping carrier. If a package is not requiring a signature,
then the carrier will simply leave it at the address on file, which can cause
problems such as package can be stolen, or destroyed by bad weather.

We also recommend that the customer requires the same
signature when shipping the system us. This will ensure that if there was a
mistake on address or any other issue, signature should account for it.

Double box – Every computer case comes in its own
manufacturer box. When we assemble your computer, we put in that very box. We
then get a slightly bigger box for your accessories and extras that you've
ordered as well as plenty of packaging material and we seal it again. This
tight seal prevents damage to the most important part, the case.

When you're shipping the system back to us, you want to try
and do the same thing. It's important to keep your original packing material,
since it was custom made just for your system. While you can go out and find
alternate boxes, they will never likely be as close as the originals. Original
boxes are always going to be the safest method of shipment.

Insurance – Just in case the double boxing is not enough and
something bad happens to the package such as accidently dropped or kicked, you
still want to be on the safe side and get insurance on the package. All
AVADirect packages are insured for the amount customer paid. In an event that
any damage to the system occurs, AVADirect will file a damage claim and recover
the broken parts through our Insurance.

Therefore, when you're shipping your system back to AVADirect,
we highly recommend that you do the same. In the case of any damage, you can be
reimbursed for the full amount paid should the case or the contents be damaged
during shipping. If this does occur, you as a shipper need to contact the
carrier and initiate a damage claim. Typically, the carrier will pick up the
package from us and take it to a local center for inspection, after which it
will be sent back to you. Depending on what type of insurance you got, you
would need to further file a claim with the insurance agency of the amount that
is damaged (full if total damage)

Internal Packaging – This one can be tricky, as it's not
always easy to obtain good internal packaging for the system. We have a packing
machine that creates a mold for the inside of the case that we ship with every
system. This molds provides support for large coolers, large video cards and
other items that may have otherwise fail or break during shipment, even if the
box is undamaged from the outside. This is another piece of packaging we highly
recommend customers keep for future use, since it is custom built for your
system. It matches your components perfectly and they get the protection they
need during shipping. Our packaging is also ESD safe, and it will not damage
any electrical components that it gets in contact with.

When you ship your system back, make sure to re-install the
packaging exactly how it was installed originally. This isn't too difficult to
figure out considering the mold from the inside will make it obvious which way
is up. If you no longer have internal packaging, pink foam blocks can be used
to support graphics cards and heatsinks. Pink foam is ESD safe and can be used
as support inside of the case. Although not as effective as our original mold,
it is better than having no support at all.