Pack and Ship Sports Equipment – 10 Tips
Traveling with sports equipment such as golf clubs, skis, snowboards, and others is becoming quite popular. However, if you want to pay the least and get the most out of your shipping, you should follow these tips.
1. Use Sports Equipment Shipping Companies
Operational costs at most airlines have risen quite drastically. In light of that, airlines charge for everything, including golf bags and other sports equipment bags. The only way to avoid paying these high costs is not to use the airlines.
There are specialized shipping companies such as RunRex that can deliver your sports equipment at low prices. These companies have bulk shipping agreements with popular courier services that allow them to get discounts, which you will never access as an individual. Give them a call the next time you plan to take a trip on an exotic sports vacation.
2. Have some quality Insurance
One area of your trip that you should avoid cutting costs is the quality of your insurance. If your equipment is lost or its gets damaged, a comprehensive insurance cover will minimize the financial damage that you incur.
Ideally, you should have travel insurance that covers for all aspects of your trip such as delays, medical expenses, and much more. Look for an insurance package that offers as much specialized care as possible for your equipment.
3. Pad Each Peace of Sports Gear Separately
If you do this, it could reduce the likelihood of your sports equipment being damaged. For instance, if the golf clubs were to rub against each other during a trip, it might affect their luster. If the equipment is deeply scratched during travel, it could reduce its value.
If it was rental equipment, you might end up losing a good chunk of your deposit. Use as much padding as necessary to keep it safe for the trip. If your equipment has any sharp tips, use a bit more wrapping there.
4. Use a Hard Case
If you are traveling with expensive sports equipment, a hard case is the best option. However, that might mean you have to pay a bit more since you may require to increase the dimensions of your shipping box. However, the extra bit you pay can be offset by the improved safety for your equipment.
5. Ensure that Your Shipping Box Has a Label with Your Details
Sometimes, the tag added by the shipping company may be ripped off. When that happens, the people working at the shipping company have no way of knowing where your package was headed.
When that happens, it could take days or weeks to trace your package. In some instances, your package may never be recovered. Ensure that the tag is legibly written. It is best to print it out instead of writing the label by hand.
6. Ensure that Your Bag is locked
A locked bag does not seem like much protection. However, it could act as a deterrent for someone looking to make a quick steal. A locked bag raises too much attention, which a thief may not want.
Use a secure locking mechanism such as a combination lock to secure the golf clubs or the skiing gear.
7. Do Not Put Expensive Electronics in the Shipping Box
Expensive equipment such as GPS trackers used in golf and other sports gadgets are quite valuable. Firstly, your insurance may not cover the loss of such devices. Additionally, there is a good chance they could be damaged during transporting.
Another reason to avoid packing expensive gadgets is that your package could become an attractive target for thieves. Gadgets are stolen all the time since they are so easy to conceal. Carry them with you on your flight.
8. Use a Water Proof Shipping Box
A waterproof shipping box ensures that your expensive golf clubs will not look rusty when they arrive at your destination. The moist conditions of shipping boxes could also affect the structural integrity of the equipment. A waterproof shipping box cost slightly more than an ordinary box.
9. Always Call Your Shipping Destination in Advance
Ensure that the resort where you are going to be staying at know about the delivery if you are going to ship sports equipment. It is a policy in some destinations. If you do not do that, your sports equipment could be turned away. For instance, some resorts have specific locations where any deliveries should be made.
10. Allow the Professionals to Package the Sports Equipment
To avoid any problems with your package, you should let the professionals handle it. Let them pick the equipment from your home and handle the packaging. They have handled thousands of similar packages in the past, and they are thus better at it than you. Besides, it saves you time, which you can use to plan other aspects of your trip.
Summary
If you follow all the tips mentioned above, your next trip with your sports equipment should be flawless. It is important to reiterate how crucial it is to use a company like RunRex They specialize in the transportation of sports equipment.