Jump to content
Hamer Fan Club Message Center

santellavision

Supporter
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,484

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    10

 Content Type 

Posts posted by santellavision

    Shipping tales

    in Hamer Fan Club Messageboard

    Posted

    Check this out...

    Shipped another guitar in a standard guitar box. Checked UPS and the cost was $51 for the box (with discount code) Actually a good price. Then, checked Pirate Ship and it was only $37. Not sure how they can do it, but they can. 

    Shipping tales

    in Hamer Fan Club Messageboard

    Posted · Edited by santellavision

     

    2 hours ago, specialk said:

    What about discounts on bubble wrap? 😄

    I found the best prices are at Staples or Office Max, sometimes on sale and I grab 2-3 big-ass rolls! Home Depot is usually more expensive.

    • Thanks 1

    Shipping tales

    in Hamer Fan Club Messageboard

    Posted · Edited by santellavision

    As many of you have seen, I've been selling off a bunch of gear... guitars, amps, pedals etc. And, I have found out some really interesting tid-bits on shipping.

    There seems to be more ways to ship gear than ever. Beside the standard USPS, UPS, FedEx etc. I've found some great discounts at other places. It also seems the box and sizes sometimes makes one shipping service better than others. What I mean is, you just have to check all of them to see which ones gives the best price for a particular box/weight. It's kinda' a pain-in-the-ass to enter all the info multiple times, but I'm retired, I have plenty of time - haha. But, it can save you a LOT of money on big items.

    OK, let's not get into a flame-war over which company is safer than another. It's all a crap-shoot, they all can damage stuff. Over the years, I haven't found one to be the 'Best' to ship. That's why I over pack and bubble-wrap the crap out of everything and make sure there is plenty of room around the item as to not let something hit the box and still get to the gear. Loosen strings, take off switch-tips, secure guitars in cases, pull tubes and wrap separately when possible, put paper under the strings as to not let the strings vibrate and possibly put indentations on frets etc. Double box guitars with gig bags. With all that, damage can still happen.

    Back to shipping...
    There are the big 3. UPS, FedEx, USPS (Yeah, there is also DHL)
    Also, when selling on Reverb or Ebay, they offer discounted shipping if you use them. And, can provide 'safe shipping' coverage, which can be good. (I usually have all my gear insured by Heritage Insurance, so I have that to rely on. I have only had to use them once in 20 years and they were great.) But, I've found much better shipping prices outside of Reverb and Ebay.

    Then, there are some other outside companies that you should check: PirateShip.com and Paypal. Yeah, Paypal offers discounted shipping, even if you didn't use them for the sale. Their prices have been EXCEPTIONALLY good!!! Sometimes the best I have found on big items.

    Also, always remember to check for discount codes, especially when using UPS, I have found some really good, 20-25% discount codes on the webbernets.
    Again, its weird, one shipper might offer a better price for large items or small boxes vs another, you just have do some legwork to find out.

    Lately, I've found big items like guitar and amps, Paypal Shipping or UPS with discounts, seem to have the best prices. Pedals or small stuff, Reverb shipping or USPS is quick and easy. Middle size stuff, like rack gear is all over the place.

    Hope this helps!
    ernie

    P.S. If you guys know of any other shipping options, please post them. Let's keep this going to save us all some moolah!
     

    • Like 6
    • Thanks 3
×
×
  • Create New...