[ptoomey3]

So, I am selling my 20" imac on ebay and need to ship it safely. I don't have the original box...any recomendations? I thought about buying a 24x24x12 box, placing foam peanuts in the box, laying the imac down in the box, and then packing it tight with the remaining foam peanuts. However, this has the imac laying flat, which I would imagine is not so good. I could box the whole thing up, stand it on an edge, and the put arrows pointing up all over the box in an attempt to have the shippers keep the imac standing, but this seems like a risky bet. Would I be better off having the UPS shipping store pack the thing? Is it possible to get an empty 20" imac box anywhere? Anyway, any ideas would be appreciated.

Patrick

[Rodster]

What I would do is buy a piece of cardboard from Office Depot and cut it out to the same measurements as your 20" imac. Place that on the front side of your imac and tape it along the back. That's what you will use to protect your screen from any shipping accidents. For extra protection you could do the same for the back side as well.

Using foam peanuts is a great idea except I would half fill the box with peanuts so it's right in the middle of the box. You could also wrap your imac with bubble wrap, which you can also find at Office Depot to keep any small pieces of foam from working there way into the USB connectors etc.

[ptoomey3]

Thanks Rodster. What do you think about the laying down vs. standing upgright issue? I know that imacs come from the factory in a box standing, just as it will once unboxed. This makes me think that they do this intentionally, and laying the imac down flat should be avoided. As I mentioned, I can stand the box on end once packed, but I wonder whether this will stay standing. If I could find a box that is 24x24x12 that opens on the top that would be optimal, but everything I'm seeing is shaped traditionally, with the opening at the top of the 24x24 opening. Anyway, thanks.

patrick

[Rodster]

Originally Posted by ptoomey3 

Thanks Rodster. What do you think about the laying down vs. standing upgright issue? I know that imacs come from the factory in a box standing, just as it will once unboxed. This makes me think that they do this intentionally, and laying the imac down flat should be avoided. As I mentioned, I can stand the box on end once packed, but I wonder whether this will stay standing. If I could find a box that is 24x24x12 that opens on the top that would be optimal, but everything I'm seeing is shaped traditionally, with the opening at the top of the 24x24 opening. Anyway, thanks.

patrick

I would lay it flat and you should have no problems if you protect the screen like I said and use shipping peanuts. Half fill the shipping box with peanuts put the imac on top of the peanuts then fill up the rest of the box with the peanuts and that should provide good enough protection.

I would buy insurance to cover the cost of the imac if your sending it UPS, just in case something happens. You might mention it to the buyer and see if he'll pickup the tab so at least your protected incase the worst happens.

p.s. I would bubble wrap the keyboard, mouse, cords and cables so they don't go knocking against the imac during shipping.