Need advice on shipping a guitar

[mfernan647]

HFC Experts,

What is your best advice for packaging and shipping a guitar?

Is it better to ship ground or 2nd day? Any difference besides time and $$$? Less damage one way or the other?

Is there a preferred carrier? (UPS, FedEX, US Mail)

How do you usually handle payments?

Any horror stories the rest of us can learn from?

Thanks...

[BubbaVO]

If you're doing something international, I've been pretty happy with USPS.

They don't job you (or rather the recipient) with handling charges. UPS didn't tell me about those when I sent some pups up to Canada and it really turned a nice deal into something of a mess. Nonetheless, Ionel reinforced my belief that our fellow HFC'rs are the best and we worked something out.

I've sent guitars via Fed Ex across the continental US and have had no issues. Prices were reasonable. But regardless of the carrier, there's no substitute for careful packing.

Paypal. Only to verified addresses. I've had no issues.

Good luck.

[atquinn]

To fellow USA'ers I always ship via UPS ground. For international, I use USPS Priority Mail International. You just have to make sure you're shipping to a country where large packages are allowed; all the size guidelines are at the USPS website (http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immctry.htm and yes I have it bookmarked ).

As far as packing goes, for me the key is making sure everything is fine inside the guitar case. Wrap misc hardware in some bubblewrap to make sure it doesn't slip out of the compartment. Make sure you put some padding under the trem (if applicable) and make sure the guitar isn't moving around. Don't put anying around the headstock; it's not necessary. Instead, put padding around the guitar if you need to to make sure the guitar won't move. For Hamer Studio/Artist cases, no extra padding is necessary; everything is already nice and snug; however, for Hamer rectangular cases and onther companies I usually have to wedge some packing material in to make sure everything is snug. I also ship tuned to pitch or at most a 1/2 step down. As everyone knows, I've been through quite a few guitars () and I've never had a problem shipping any of them.

As far as payment, I'll execpt bank transfers, cashier's check or USPS money orders, but I'd have to say about 95% of the time PayPal is used.

-Austin

[silentman]

Much like Austin, I have used UPS Ground for US shipments with zero problems. +1 for preventing any movement of the guitar within the case. I use paper towels around the body to snug it up.

[veatch]

Not much else to add except for to use new boxes. Re-using boxes can cause issues if there is an insurance claim. Double boxing is a good thing as well (inside box can be re-used), or bubble wrap the case at the very least.

The only advantage to FedEx overnight versus ground is that less people touch the guitar. Follow the tracking you get on the ground deliveries - you'll see a lot of in and out of the truck.

Of course, that has it's cost...

[Caddie]

dont't do this

caddie

[Thundersteel]

I always put padding around the headstock. I make sure the guitar doesn't move inside the case. I've never had a problem.

I started using USPS for all my shipping now--less expensive than UPS and Fed Ex.

[geoff_hartwell]

Here's Dan Erlwine's advice!

http://www.danerlewine.com/guitar_repair_forms.html

GH