How to get a netbook across the country

[anat0l]

I'm looking at ways to get a netbook (not more than 1.5 kg and about 10" size) from PER to BNE in one piece without damage (this is a private sale, not ordering something online). A few ideas on how this can be done:

• Australia Post
• Courier Service: Star Track Express, Fastways, Couriers Please, Parcel post, etc.
• AFF Courier If someone is coming from PER Eastwards...or we can set up a multi-leg passage (e.g. PER-ADL-....)
• Buy a BNE-PER and pick up the netbook myself

Option D is obviously the most expensive but most reliable method. Trying to avoid this if I can possibly do so.

Option A is the cheapest, but what I'm scared about is that the netbook has a HDD in it - could a netbook survive the postage all the way from PER to BNE without suffering physical damage to the HDD (e.g. damage to the heads)? Packing the HDD separately from the netbook probably isn't going to help?

Option B is like option A except more expensive; probably the same risks as Option A as well? Although, would Australia Post get narky in Option A if they know the contents are a computer (read: valuable)?

I assume asking for special handling (e.g. fragile) for either of Options A or B will either incur additional (steep) charges, make no difference, or both.

Option C would be good as more than likely there will not be much if any damage at all if carried by a person in their care. However that would finding such people willing to carry it on this board


Thoughts or advice anyone?

 

[Mal]

This is AFF - it's likely many people are actually flying PER-BNE or similar in the near future! Whether they're able to help though is another matter...

Laptops are sent via courier all the time. They have to be well packed though (bubble wrap/foam) to help absorb any shocks.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the HDD - if that was to become damaged, then it's likely the screen would be smashed too.

Know anyone who has a corporate account with a courier and can get you better rates?

 

[markis10]

Dropping a HDD when its off will not cause it any damage, when the heads are not seeking data they are parked off the platter for that reason. You should not have any issues with either A or B however keep in mind Aust Post will not ship lithium by air, so it will be roaded!

 

[docjames]

Re: option #3:

Have a look in the Feb/march threads and see if there are any possible connections

I'd be going #2 - courier, ensuring it's well packed, and well insured.

Your issue with #3 is of course - carrying "luggage" for someone else technically breaches the security insturctions (have you packed your bags.........)

 

[tuapekastar]

I had to courier my laptop from Bendigo to Melbourne and return for repair (at ASUS' expense, and they organised the courier) and it arrived back in good nick (better than when it left, actually ). IIRC I packed it pretty well with bubble wrap and various other stuff ensuring it would not rattle around in the box it was in.

 

[simongr]

I posted a Nintendo Wii through Oz post without incident... the fact that a 3 year old had jammed 2 discs in at once was the reason for postage and a different story...

 

[Fifa]

My new ASUS eee was posted to me in it's box via Australia Post from interstate. Not a problem.

 

[tuppaware]

I suggest AAE (aussie air express) they might cost a bit, but fast and generally no damage. But then nothing beats Australia Post Registered

 

[Skoogle]

Buy a BNE-PER and pick up the netbook myself

Like you really have to ask.

Just for that, you are not allowed to gather extras from the FLounge showers on your next visit.

 

[serfty]

Of course, AaE are owned by Qantas and Australia post at 50% each.

Star Track express is owned by Qantas.

 

[serfty]

I had to courier my laptop ... for repair (at ASUS' expense, and they organised the courier) and it arrived back in good nick (better than when it left, actually ). ...

I would hope so ...

 

[JohnK]

Don't people purchase laptops, netbooks etc on the internet and have it delivered by Australia Post or courier?

Just make sure it is packed properly and marked fragile.

 

[sriver]

Don't people purchase laptops, netbooks etc on the internet and have it delivered by Australia Post or courier?

Just make sure it is packed properly and marked fragile.

The existing packaging they tend to come in make them quite secure. On a similar note I received a pvr/media player via registered aus post (with a desktop hard drive within it) without issue.

As long as it's well packed it 'should' be fine. This doesn't really allow for seriously bad luck, so maybe registered post or paying extra for insurance may be an option.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Don't people purchase laptops, netbooks etc on the internet and have it delivered by Australia Post or courier?

Just make sure it is packed properly and marked fragile.

Exactly as long as it is packed properly it should be fine.

I bought a netbook from the UK and got it fed ex'd to me in Perth (super quick, only took 2 days:shock and it arrived with no issue..

it can be a bit of an issue if you don't have the original packaging and boxes though...

 

[djfuzz]

What's the current situation with Australia Post and batteries though? I thought they brought in a ban on carrying lithium batteries by air last year?

Not sure how this works at the moment - perhaps they still transport such items by road. I've heard of people getting a rough time trying to send laptops / computers / phones / other devices with batteries through them.

 

[markis10]

What's the current situation with Australia Post and batteries though? I thought they brought in a ban on carrying lithium batteries by air last year?

Not sure how this works at the moment - perhaps they still transport such items by road. I've heard of people getting a rough time trying to send laptops / computers / phones / other devices with batteries through them.

Correct, I mentioned it in my earlier post that they would go by road if its made known that the product has lithium.

Can I send a lithium battery or an item containing a lithium battery in the mail? ​

Yes, you can send a lithium battery or item containing a lithium battery by mail within Australia provided that you make sure that the item is safe to send. Lithium batteries and items containing lithium batteries are dangerous goods and can not be carried by Australia Post by air. Such items will be carried in the mail by road transport only within Australia via Australia Post’s parcels service.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachm...um-5fbatteries-5fcustomer-5fguidelines-00.pdf

 

[drewbles]

Can't recommend these guys highly enough...

Cheap Courier Service, Courier Services, Freight Services, Interstate Courier

Owned by Hunter Express. I've used these guys for a pickup from South Yarra to South Melbourne (Camera, so a small package). Was on my desk within 2 hours of booking it.

Also sent a large carton containing goods for friends to PER from MEL. They said it could be up to 2 weeks (chose the cheapest option which was around $13) and it was there within 72 hours.

Excellent prices, they will also give you a conn note to print out after purchase and slap on the parcel. Just make sure it's packaged well enough, and you provide accurate dimensions/weight. The bonus is you don't need an account with them, not do you need to purchase books of coupons like couriers please! and the like. It's ideal for the occasional delivery. They're very very good!

 

[straitman]

Correct, I mentioned it in my earlier post that they would go by road if its made known that the product has lithium.

Can I send a lithium battery or an item containing a lithium battery in the mail? ​

Yes, you can send a lithium battery or item containing a lithium battery by mail within Australia provided that you make sure that the item is safe to send. Lithium batteries and items containing lithium batteries are dangerous goods and can not be carried by Australia Post by air. Such items will be carried in the mail by road transport only within Australia via Australia Post’s parcels service.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachm...um-5fbatteries-5fcustomer-5fguidelines-00.pdf

A bit strange because within the DG regulations there is provision, in certain circumstances, for Lithium batteries to travel by air.

 

[markis10]

A bit strange because within the DG regulations there is provision, in certain circumstances, for Lithium batteries to travel by air.

I agree its strange and very annoying when I was shipping a couple of notebooks a week, Aus Post do allow for exceptions for regular senders with accounts, I think its a matter of trusting the necessary declarations to be accurate as to battery size, Aus POst figures they cannot trust the non account holder.

 

[QF WP]

anat0l, I can't believe you aren't seriously considering the last option. What better for a SC run than PER??

I am hoping to head over to PER for a 2 day trip in early March (after mini #1's 3rd birthday on 6 March), but otherwise as somebody else suggested, check out the March travels thread.