Various war-story authors wrote:
> My experience is a 40% damage rate when shipping Cisco 7507
> and 7513 routers via FedEx Heavy. Here are some pictures from back
> when I was at AboveNet: Why you shouldn't use Fedex for large objects
>
>You aren't alone:
>http://www.16paws.com/FedEx/Although this is a small item, I believe it wins the contest for "Most thoroughly damaged shipment".
http://colofinder.net/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album18
While I sadly no longer have the image, sometimes words paint a more
vivid picture...
We had a 7505 which could have won, simultaneously, awards for:
"Most Blantant Disregard For Shipment Contents"
"Least Excusible or Fathomable Damage Mode"
"Failure To Note Packing Material Damage - Outstand Achievement"
"Shipper Rules Weaseling - Special Mention"
"Vendor Sudden Observance Of Fine Print"
"One *Tough* Box"
We shipped the 7507 in its original packing material, including crimped
straps, to a colo site. The site contact received it, signed for it, and
discarded the packing material, all without noticing the damage.
What damage, you ask?
UPS had driven a forklift tine through its side. As in, straight in,
through packing material, and *pierced* the chassis, right in the center
of the side, ie into the card cage.
Without the packing material, UPS wouldn't pay damages. Cisco
wouldn't RMA the chassis. Not a pleasant situation at all.
However, the router only had a couple of cards, which were installed
(luckily) next to the power supplies, and at the opposite end from the
gaping 3/4" x 2.5" hole.
The site tech suggested seeing if it would boot. Sure enough, it did.
And ran fine. And to the best of my knowledge, is still in service.
It's a good thing the airflow wasn't too badly disrupted by the hole.
It's the last time we used UPS...