Equipment Return Tips

First American is at your service, ensuring smooth equipment returns. The process is easy. 

1. We will provide a ship-to address (or addresses) for the equipment two to four weeks before your scheduled return.

2. Equipment must be returned in working order. Generally, equipment should be in acceptable condition to be put back into service. Normal wear and tear is expected.

3. Review each item to be returned so that you have an opportunity to take inventory and make any repairs necessary to return the equipment to working order.

4. Remove any password protections, inventory stickers or other additions to the equipment. Manufacturer’s labels and authenticity stickers originally provided with the equipment should remain intact.

5. Unless you have contracted with First American to provide data wiping services, remove all confidential data from the equipment.

6. Return everything that came with the equipment, including cables, power cords, manuals, disks, software media, batteries, docking stations, keyboards, mice, etc.

7. The equipment must be packaged appropriately for shipment.  Use of the original packing materials is optional. There are no additional requirements for packaging, asset tags, or labeling.

Packing and Shipping Tips for Technology Equipment

Select a logistics company that is familiar with technology equipment. If interested, give us a call and we'll let you know the companies that are popular among our customers. Computers, monitors, printers and other technology equipment can be easily damaged. Proper handling is required, no matter how the items are packaged. Appropriate packaging is essential to prevent damage during shipping. Choose durable materials, pad the items, and prevent the contents from moving during shipment.

Cardboard boxes and Styrofoam peanuts can be problematic with technology equipment. Boxes can fall apart and Styrofoam peanuts may disintegrate and allow items to move during shipping. Parts bumping into each other is a common cause of shipping damage.

Palletizing and shrink wrapping is an efficient and effective method for packaging monitors, notebooks, towers, and other types of technology equipment. Each item should be tightly wrapped with 2 to 4 inches of bubble wrap. Layers should be separated with additional bubble wrap and cardboard. Pallets should be banded in both directions and shrink wrapped. (Note: Some logistics companies require that palletized freight be stackable. Check with your vendor before packaging your equipment).

Monitors
Always pack monitors face down to prevent damage to the screens. If possible, remove the base and any other attachments prior to shipment.

Computers
Remove all cords and other attachments. If multiple items are shipped together, wrap each item separately to prevent dents and scratches on the case.

Printers
Remove cartridges, toner cases, paper trays and any other attachments. Cartridges or toner should be placed in a sealed plastic bag to prevent ink or powder damage. Tape moving parts, such as doors, drawers or printer heads, to secure them during transit.

Servers, Routers, Storage Devices
We recommend packaging each item individually. Be sure packaging materials are sturdy enough to bear the weight. The manufacturer’s packaging recommendations may be helpful.

Please note that these packing and shipping tips are only suggestions.  The lessee is solely responsible for properly packaging and shipping any leased equipment.