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Posted

Recommendation:  if you are shipping a high value guitar (say $1,000 or more) consider taking it to FedEx and pay them to pack it.  You have to buy their box and I they charge about $20 to pack.  It will total about $100 - $125 depending on distance.  To my knowledge, USP nor USPS has this service.

Reason:  I once shipped a wonderful Hamer Studio Custom via FedEx and it arrive with a cracked headstock.  FedEx would not honor any insurance claim saying "it wasn't packed properly".   A FedEx employee told me that all shipping companies will use that excuse to not honor any claim.   I now pay that extra $20 packing fee because if FedEx packed it, they can't claim it was packed incorrectly and would have to honor insurance.   FedEx actually does a great job at packing.  I have shipped at least 5 guitars that way and all arrived at their destination in perfect shape.

Posted
7 minutes ago, RBG said:

if FedEx packed it, they can't claim it was packed incorrectly and would have to honor insurance.

@Mods, this needs to be moved to the "Joke" thread.

Posted
4 hours ago, cynic said:

UPS Stores are independently owned and operated as franchised licensees of Mail Boxes Etc, which is an indirect subsidiary of UPS.  If you want to deal with UPS go to a UPS Customer Service Counter.  Everyone else is a useless middleman.

How about that...I'm citing myself now.

To further amplify this point, I just bought a UPS shipping label.  During check out I was informed the declared value (between $1500-$2000) required the package be dropped off with only a UPS driver doing a pickup or with a UPS employee at a UPS customer counter.  Additionally, I was provided with a receipt I need to have them sign and date as added proof that I handed the package over.  Not even the scan is proof enough anymore.

It specifically called out UPS Stores and said dropping it off with them will void a potential claim.

Posted

A couple things...

If you use the Reverb shipping service, they include insurance and signature required from them on the items and they back it up. I sold a speaker and it got damaged, they paid me back immediately, no questions. Their prices are comparable to FedEx and UPS when I last checked.

Costs for all have been rising. The last Solidbody I shipped was $85. with insurance and signature required.
It really depends a lot on the box size. I've got a bunch of larger guitar boxes which cost more for the extra length. I try not to use them if at all possible. So, check your box size it will vary A LOT even for 1-2"!

I have a FedEx account, they've been very reliable with no damage for what's its worth.

Lastly, If you have your instruments insured with say... Heritage Insurance, they will cover damages. They are excellent.

Just my 2.5¢
Ernie

Posted

Very satisfied with FedEx Ground.  Used three times for shipping instruments over past three months. Each transaction  pricing was half the cost for UPS Ground. FedExGround service resulted in second day delivery for each shipment (eastern region between Phila and Maine/Georgia). No damages no hassles. In contrast two incoming USPS shipments  were fubar with unexplained delays and cockamamie routing. A package shipped from Guilford CT routed through Southampton MA before heading south (of course???) finally arrived sixteen days later and the second  from South Carolina routed through Memphis before heading north (why not!!!) arrived in only ten days yeayyyy. 

Posted
4 hours ago, acb said:

Very satisfied with FedEx Ground.  Used three times for shipping instruments over past three months. Each transaction  pricing was half the cost for UPS Ground. FedExGround service resulted in second day delivery for each shipment (eastern region between Phila and Maine/Georgia). No damages no hassles. In contrast two incoming USPS shipments  were fubar with unexplained delays and cockamamie routing. A package shipped from Guilford CT routed through Southampton MA before heading south (of course???) finally arrived sixteen days later and the second  from South Carolina routed through Memphis before heading north (why not!!!) arrived in only ten days yeayyyy. 

I've had goofy routing with all services, even before the pandemic.  I had something from NYC via UPS and another via FedEx each take 5 days to get to me.  It's a 3 hour drive from my house.  

Posted
1 hour ago, scottcald said:

I've had goofy routing with all services...

Word. I’ve been watching this one all week. 

31F750AF-782A-4D4B-B65F-F2035BC29759.jpeg

 

Posted
On 3/29/2021 at 10:49 AM, santellavision said:

A couple things...

If you use the Reverb shipping service, they include insurance and signature required from them on the items and they back it up. I sold a speaker and it got damaged, they paid me back immediately, no questions. Their prices are comparable to FedEx and UPS when I last checked.

Costs for all have been rising. The last Solidbody I shipped was $85. with insurance and signature required.
It really depends a lot on the box size. I've got a bunch of larger guitar boxes which cost more for the extra length. I try not to use them if at all possible. So, check your box size it will vary A LOT even for 1-2"!

I have a FedEx account, they've been very reliable with no damage for what's its worth.

Lastly, If you have your instruments insured with say... Heritage Insurance, they will cover damages. They are excellent.

Just my 2.5¢
Ernie

How does that work? They're not the actual courier right?

Posted
1 hour ago, LordsoftheJungle said:

It really depends a lot on the box size. I've got a bunch of larger guitar boxes which cost more for the extra length. I try not to use them if at all possible. So, check your box size it will vary A LOT even for 1-2"!

Speaking of box sizes, make sure you're doing the 3d math.  I shipped an acoustic recently and was getting a cheaper quote on a 52x20x8 box than a 47x21x9 box.  I was sure the five fewer inches should be gaining me something, but the 2nd box is more than 500 cubic inches larger.

Posted
2 minutes ago, cynic said:

Speaking of box sizes, make sure you're doing the 3d math.  I shipped an acoustic recently and was getting a cheaper quote on a 52x20x8 box than a 47x21x9 box.  I was sure the five fewer inches should be gaining me something, but the 2nd box is more than 500 cubic inches larger.

Length isn't everything baby!

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