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Amazon order shipping from NYC?

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ParanoidinGA

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 6:37:14
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Guys,

I was reading someone's story of finding a bedbug in a new IKEA wardrobe and the conversation turned to items shipped from Amazon. It's cyber Monday and I just ordered my hubby an Ion turntable (to convert old record albums to .mp3s) and headphones for Christmas. I read that they will be shipped from a company based in NYC. How concerned should I be?

I've read various bits of info here on how to treat/isolate electronics.

My initial thought is that once I receive the items, I will remove the items from the cardboard packaging OUTSIDE the house, inspect the cardboard packaging for obvious signs of bugs, skins, or fecal, then bag the cardboard packaging securely and discard.

Next (still outside), I would open up the individual items in their boxes and inspect cardboard, styrofoam, and plastic. Leaving the items in the boxes but OPENED, my next plan was to take a Nuvan strip and enclose it in a large black lawn/leaf bag with the items for a week (large bag to allow more air circulation and to allow the product to saturate through).

Next plan is to remove the strip and allow items to "air out" to remove that Nuvan smell. Then, I would use a blower to blow out the items as best I can before wrapping and placing under the tree.

Is this overkill, or not enough action on my part? Also, could I potentially damage the items in the process?
rAVENSFAN99

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 10:16:51
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Honestly it sounds like you're not going to feel safe with this thing in your home. I would send it back and take the hit on shipping.
parakeets

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 10:32:49
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Are you concerned because this item is being shipped from New York City? I'm originally from the New York area and I know that most items shipped from "New York City" actually are shipped from warehouses outside of the city. Space is so prohibitively expensive in New York that warehouses are not located in the city itself.

Aside from that, I think wherever you are, you are more likely to get bed bugs from other behaviors than ordering a brand new new turntable and headphones from Amazon.com. In the scheme of things, purchasing new electronic items sent directly from a warehouse (where shoppers, with their possibly infested bags and coats and purchases, can't go to browse!) strikes me as low risk.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 11:24:36
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Hi,

I would have to say that this is a contextual issue.

The reality is the risk is extremely low, factors that would have to occur in order for a new item of electrical to be shipped infected compare to odds of winning the lottery. Second hand items have a higher risk but still not that significant in the big picture of what we see as common sources.

By all means examine the outer packaging and check the item but I would stop there without any signs of activity. Essentially don't treat without confirmation.

If you have a local K9 scent unit you could always ask them to give it the once over.

I can see a time when consumers request wrapped baggages on shipped items, a lot of UK drop shipping is now in courier bags rather than outer cartons.

In this scenario though I think a visual inspection would be the only option needed, if you are worried have a plastic smooth sided box by the door to place it into and everything will be isolated from the start.

Hope that helps.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
scared-girl

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 11:57:36
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This is not just a NYC issue. If you are so worried about what you are buying and where, I would be equally as concerned about a sweater you might buy at your local mall. These items are being shipped in from countries that do not take care of BB issues. I don't think amazon electronics should be your worry...
ParanoidinGA

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 16:07:02
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I want to thank you guys for your response. I think perhaps, I'm going a bit overboard in my concern.

Scared girl, you are definitely right...it's not just a NYC problem. I've already started drying all my clothing purchases on high heat when I bring them home. The problem is just SO WELL publicized in New York that my "radar" is on higher alert. I couldn't even watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade without noticing all the various acts and high school bands and thinking "I wonder how many of them encountered bedbugs in their hotels?", lol.

Parakeets and David, thanks for the advice and encouragement.

ravensfan99: I think I was being overly paranoid. Based on others' advice I'm going to examine the outer packaging, carefully discard that outer cardboard, and not worry further about it other than be concerned over the many hours hubby will be spending digitizing our album collection.
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 16:14:34
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While on this topic, digitizing your music is one way to enjoy your music on newer players as well as to insure your ability to enjoy it even as your discs are "in ziplock". For those of you who already have turntables or cassette decks you like, all you need to connect to your computer are cables (if your computer has a "line in" jack) or an adapter like the Behringer UFO202. http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UFO202-Audio-Interface/dp/B002GHBYZ0
ParanoidinGA

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 16:29:06
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Hey, cool, Cilecto. We would DEFINITELY go that route if we had an existing turntable.

The Ion Profile is the one I'm getting for hubby because it functions as a turntable while also having USB. Here's a link directly to customer reviews if anyone is interested: http://www.amazon.com/Ion-Audio-Profile-LP-Turntable/product-reviews/B0029QRA1U/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 (NOTE: this product is not recommended for Mac users. )
Nobugsonme

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 20:55:41
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Just to add to the conversation, I would be more worried about companies that shipped bedding products, since these may be more likely to be exposed and returned.
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 21:02:09
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ParanoidinGA - 4 hours ago »
Hey, cool, Cilecto. We would DEFINITELY go that route if we had an existing turntable.
The Ion Profile is the one I'm getting for hubby because it functions as a turntable while also having USB. Here's a link directly to customer reviews if anyone is interested: http://www.amazon.com/Ion-Audio-Profile-LP-Turntable/product-reviews/B0029QRA1U/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 (NOTE: this product is not recommended for Mac users. )

Enjoy! I've been digitizing my cassettes for a while using the Behringer. I have a conventional TT that's compatible, but lack for time and a clear horizontal surface.
soscared

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 29 2010 21:30:32
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I always tell this to people who are fearful of NYC in particular: I have lived in NYC most of my life, but didn't encounter/pick up bed bugs until I left it for a trip. Most people still don't have them, so I don't think that just bc something is from here, you are going to get bed bugs. I certainly do understand the fear though.
ItchyinAstoria

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Nov 30 2010 0:10:33
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I think it's overkill. Yes, there are a lot of bedbugs in NYC. There are also a lot of people in NYC, so of course it's going to happen more here. Everything happens more here.

I wouldn't treat this any differently than an object shipped from anywhere else in the world. Develop a policy that you're comfortable with for ALL items you bring into your home, treat it accordingly, and move on. Personally, if it's Packtite-able, I Packtite it, and I don't like keeping cardboard boxes in the house because they seem like too perfect a hiding place for bugs. If it can't be Packtited, I give it a visual inspection and am done with it.