Checking a Plasma TV? - Help!
 

Hey FTers - getting on a flight in about 5 hours and hoping to get some insight beforehand...My brother won a 42" TV in a casino raffle last night :D and we'd like to take it back with us but are having trouble getting insight to the policies. We're flying CUN-> IAD -> ORD. My questions are:

1. Can you check this on UAL? Still in original box - weighs 51 LBS and measures roughly 60 inches on it's longest edge
2. Is it reasonable to expect that this would arrive without damage? Any experience shipping fragile electronics? Is there baggage insurance that is recommended for this?
3. Any idea what the Customs implications of this are?

Thanks in advance everyone!

Dan

From a size perspective you may be ok (fee will apply though) - policy is here:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52907,00.html

Highlights - maximum dimension of any side: 62 inches, maximum linear dimension (l + w + h): 115 inches.

I would assume it is ok from a weight perspective also.

The real question is around how it will survive the journey - if it's in its original packing then this will obviously help.

For customs - it will depend on the value of it. Do you know what this would be? Some details here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...aying_duty.xml

To be safe there is Fedex or UPS ground very cheap for that and it not going to be damage.

Certainly not "very cheap" from Mexico...

Thanks a lot for the input - extremely helpful.

Sounds like the only concern is if it would be damaged or not on the way. Any way to insure this specifically? Experiences? Possible Cost?

Looked into FedEx - probably about $450 ai for ground as a swag based on rate tables.

Sorry if these are basic questions - on a terrible internet connection down here...plus if there's a way to work the system, I'm confident I'll find it here!

You guys rock, thanks again,
Dan

United Delayed and Damaged Baggage Policy:
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,3224,1037,00.html

They will cover up to 1131.00 SDR = About 1800 USD

Depending on the actual value, I personally would go through DHL/FedEx/UPS and have it insured. I sometimes watch them load up the planes and they aren't too careful with many of the checked luggage.

Here are your options:

1. Check as baggage, with excess value. IIRC UA will only accept it if it is in the original packaging (I can't seem to find the link from UA regarding the excess insurance).
   
2. As mentioned above, use a package service (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc).
   
3. Go to an electronics store there, and try to sell it (but if under 4 hrs now, that might be tough to get good value for the item).

If you read further through the fine print, don't they specifically disclaim ANY responsibility for fragile items, high value items, electronics, etc.?

These types of liability carve-outs are very common at other airlines so I'd be quite surprised if UA doesn't also write their contract so as to get them completely off the hook for damage or theft of items like plasma TVs.

If UA doesn't break OP's new TV, then TSA will steal it!

Oops! I forgot about that. I just can see the TSA agent running out of the airport with a 46 inch TV. LOL.

If there isn't a group of people who would, in recognition of your dilemma, offer to buy your TV (at a substantial discount) right outside the casino, I would be amazed.

Paying $450 to ship a TV probably not worth much more than that (have you checked the actual value?) doesn't sound like a great deal to me. Unless it is a top brand and not a knockoff, I would sell it locally, eat the "discount", and enjoy what's left.

Sell it to somebody in mexico and bring back the cash.

This whole issue sounds like a jumbo order of trouble, otherwise...

White Elephant
 

That's what I'd try to do, if you had time.

The baggage charges, potential customs duty, potential damage or theft, etc., and unless you're certain it's good quality (raffles typically give away lower-end items), it's probably not worth all the hassle if you can unload it locally.

How about a sidewalk "auction"? Offer it to the highest bidder, and start the bidding at about 1/3 its alleged value.

You could also walk into a local church or community service organization and just drop it off, say "A gift from America!" or some such, and be on your way.

There is one additional problem: Plasma TVs must be shipped upright! Just laying them on the side can damage them. For that reason, some plasmas are packaged with tilt indicators on the outside of the packaging. I do not see United handling that right.

So unless your plasma is a Pioneer Kuro (look at Amazon for the going price of the last few units Pioneer made), it is probably more reasonable to sell or pawn the thing in Mexico and take the cash - brand new plasmas by Samsung or Panasonic can be bought for less than $600 on Amazon, so why pay $450 to ship?

Ask the casino to ship it to you, or give you a cash equivalent prize (or another substitute prize.)