I wonder if it is better to hire a specialty mover rather than
the big national chains.  I flew to Texas to look at a Seeburg KT.
It was mint condition and just wonderful so I bought it and hired
the big name mover to ship it to Portland.

When it got here it was a mess.  It was obvious that it had been
dropped.  The top was sheared off, the spool box was hanging and
the pump was smashed.

I called the mover and they denied liability.  They said it was
like that when they picked it up.  They insure by weight, so I could
collect a few hundred dollars only if I could prove they damaged it.

Well, fortunately I had purchased a Fine Arts [insurance] floater and
listed the KT before I had it shipped.  State Farm Insurance sent an
appraiser and they researched it and authorized a full restoration,
so I came out okay, but I learned a lesson about shipping: photograph
the item before it is shipped, and make sure it is packed well, and
absolutely make sure the item is covered by an all-risk fine arts
floater.

Al Menashe
Portland, Oregon