Bought off Lenovo.com, Shipped via UPS, Have shipping questions

My middle name must be Worry. I ordered a configured ThinkPad W520 off Lenovo.com for USD1500 yesterday. I chose the free UPS Ground shipping offered by Lenovo. And I'm getting more and more worried now. Two years ago, I had really bad experience of damaged computer parts due to rough UPS handling.

I know many of you are long-time patrons of Lenovo. I'd like to ask a few questions and get myself prepared for possible event where my package arrive damaged.

QUESTIONS
Q1: How do Lenovo.com package Thinkpad sales?
Do Lenovo.com simply place a UPS shipping label on a Thinkpad retail box and ship? Or do they place Thinkpad in additional shipping box filled up with cushion materials and ship? If the latter, is the shipping box sturdy?
It'd be very helpful if someone has a photo of freshely arrived unopened ThinkPad shipment.

Q2: AFAIK UPS has reputation for rough shipment handling. But that too depends on area of shipment's destination. How is the UPS service in Baltimore area zip code 21030? Anyone from there?

Q3: If I find my ThinkPad shipment arrive evidently damaged, can I refuse the shipment? If I do so, is there any fee that may incur to my end?

Q4: After receiving my ThinkPad, if ThinkPad and/or its accessories are found damaged due to shipping, can I return it to Lenovo.com with no fees charged? If I can, within how many days of receipt, do I have to report an shipment incident?

Q5: Does UPS 2nd Air help avoid possible shipping damages? Can I upgrade my shipping option placing an order?

I'd appreciate your patience and helpful tips. Thank you very much!

 

A1: The laptops are place them in a box with some cardboard cushioning, therefore light bumps and drops wont move the stuff inside. The UPS shipping labels are on top of the box which is just like an everyday cardboard box.

Also, if the machine is damaged or you do not want to open the box because you see the outside damaged you can return it and Lenovo will ship you another one for free that will hopefully not suffer the same fate.

Before I ordered my W520, I actually ordered a W510 (couple of days before the release of the w520) and there was a large hole in the box because of UPS. However, nothing was damaged. (Before, thinkpads were shipped in a box within a box...inception haha.)

A3: Oops...I guess I answered that above...

A4: I think if its within 2 weeks (not sure). However, there can be a 15% restocking fee is you open the box and nothing inside is damaged. You can return it unopen for a full refund (I believe I read that somewhere, not 100% sure)

Lenovo costumer support, from my experience, is excellent and I am sure you will enjoy your new thinkpad. Even if the box is slightly damaged, I doubt the internals will be damaged.

You can see a full unboxing of a retail thinkpad shipped to someone: ‪ThinkPad W520 Unboxing‬‏ - YouTube

Good luck with your UPS!

 

They do ship laptops in retail boxes but, as mentioned by ComputerNewb, with enough cushioning.

If you happen to receive a visibly damaged box, you can also ask your UPS truck driver to make a note of that. In case you do find anything damaged inside the box, I think you may use that as a proof and wave the return restocking fee. You can also call Lenovo before opening the box informing them of possible damage.

This is from my own experience. I received my T520 with some big dents on the box and asked the carrier to make a note. Happily there was nothing wrong with the laptop itself.

I also don't think the 2nd day service speeds up delivery much as it still needs to go through the same customs process. The free standard shipping is already fast enough. As for possible damages, they can happen with either service.