Think I got the shaft at USP store

[lennon08]

OK, so I had a UPS store pack a Charvel San Dimas today. To pack and ship the charge was $158 with $1,000 insurance.

Did I get screwed as bad as I think I did?

[Scott Whigham]

Where were you shipping it to? I think that, if I was shipping a "guitar in it's case that I had packed already", it would've been around $50 to ship w/ $1000 insurance (more or less).

[pete692]

Na, that's about right, but you're better off packing it yourself and taking it to a UPS depot. The storefront operations have an overhead that you get to take part in paying for. I have found that Fedex is usually a little better than UPS in most cases.

[lennon08]

It was in a gig bag from Brooklyn to Ohio.

Thanks you guys. I have been steaming all day about it.

[guitaristanyc]

Yeah, that's bad - UPS stores always take you to the cleaners - you just have to decide if the expense is worth the time and effort it saves you. For me (I live in NYC and don't have a car), it costs me time and money just to find a box and get the packing material, plus it's an expensive cab ride or Zipcar rental to get to the UPS shipping center (which is on the outskirts of the city!), so the added cost is somewhat justifiable, though I always get a bit sick when they give me the total at the store!

[XmasTree]

i used to work at a "Pac-N-Send" that shipped UPS.
basically an independent UPS hub, or whatever.

anyway, i pretty much charged whatever i wanted based upon what was being shipped.
they know the guitar has some value and could possibly be damaged, so they pack it "their way" and charge the shit out of you.
Most of that charge is going to the labor of them packing it their way - whether it's correct or not.

I would always pack it myself! ...if you don't know how, i would go looking online, forums, FAQs, and learn how to do it right.
..you should save a bunch of money that way.

**I don't think you paid way too much but that sure is about max what you should
Packing/shipping is not rocket science, just use common sense and don't be afraid to spend a few bucks on bubble wrap, popcorn, double boxes, good tape, etc.

[axelicker]

In Brooklyn I'm not surprised. Having them pack is a major ripoff though. I once went to a shipping store to have them pack a PRS, mainly because I didn't have a box. Well they didn't either... watched the guy cut and tape 2 flimsy boxes together, drop the PRS case in, and fill with foam peanuts. I think it was like $60 for "professional packing". If you really want the best odds of the guitar not being damaged, you have to pack it yourself IMO.

[lennon08]

I hear that about not having a car. I have the same issue guitaristanyc! I guess it is was it is. Packing wasn't really the problem. Shipping along was $86. I got a quote a few minutes ago on the USPstore.com site for $43 for the shipping. Hmmmmm?

[Phil M]

That's horrendous! $158 to ship a $600-$700 guitar ...

I've sent a lot of guitars and pack them myself. Never spent more than $80-$90 with supplies, shipping and insurance. Usually quite a bit less than that depending on locale and value.

[markophonic]

Thats alot...but the good thing is that if there is a problem...the UPS Store is actually the shipper and UPS won't pull the ole' "it wasn't packed properly" BS on you. If there were any problems they will be resolved quickly...

[Melodyman]

UPS Stores add a retail cost on top of the normal shipping rates that you would incur. Some consumers believe the outlets are actually UPS branches but are shocked when they ring up the price.

[rockinlespaul]

YIKES!:omg:huh:bonk

[joec63]

Ouch...yep those stores are independently owned. It is NY and you could reasonably expect them to be a little more expensive but that was exessive IMO. I would have to call and complain. I know it's buyer beware but it would make me feel better anyway :boxer

[Pietro]

packed a guitar myself last week to ship to Chicago from Western PA.

thirty bucks UPS ground via Staples...

[serviviente7]

most i've paid has been 60 coast to coast. granted i packed myself and i used usps priority shipping with 2000 insurance.

[Pietro]

I've paid near 100 before all the way to California in an oversized box (it was an expensive guitar so I didn't mind).

[jamdogg]

NE to VA in 3 days via ups store, self packed, $1300 insured - $48.

[ryhlick]

UPS Stores add a retail cost on top of the normal shipping rates that you would incur. Some consumers believe the outlets are actually UPS branches but are shocked when they ring up the price.
As a owner of a UPS Store this is a false statement. Our prices are the same as if you take it to the hub and ship. Other retail outlets, Pack & ships, Postal Annex's, etc, can charge what they want. All of that being said and shipping tons of guitars, that seems very high. I could see on the high side of maybe being 80.00 - 90.00, but that would be a strech to get to 150.00. My .02

[lennon08]

Ryhlick, thanks for the info. Do you have any advice? Should I call the store or call customer service?

[supersonic1414]

Yeah, you got hosed. First off, you should always try to ship from either a FedEx or ups main location, as opposed to a UPS store where the owners charge an up charge on everything UPS offers. You are gonna pay about 20% more right there....not to mention the crazy money to pack a guitar.

I just paid to have a gig bag and guitar sent to me from TN to TX...fully insured at $2200, cost $40

[supersonic1414]

As a owner of a UPS Store this is a false statement. Our prices are the same as if you take it to the hub and ship. Other retail outlets, Pack & ships, Postal Annex's, etc, can charge what they want. All of that being said and shipping tons of guitars, that seems very high. I could see on the high side of maybe being 80.00 - 90.00, but that would be a strech to get to 150.00. My .02

Well, maybe your store is different but I know for a fact that when I ship directly from the main UPS location, it is much less than at the UPS store across the street. I even took the same package to both once just to check....

[guitaristanyc]

I hear that about not having a car. I have the same issue guitaristanyc! I guess it is was it is. Packing wasn't really the problem. Shipping along was $86. I got a quote a few minutes ago on the USPstore.com site for $43 for the shipping. Hmmmmm?

I just shipped a guitar UPS Ground through a local retail shipping store from Brooklyn to Virginia and it cost me about $75 with $1300 insurance (should have been far less!); the worst part about it was that I sold through Ebay and thanks to Ebay's f'ed-up calculations, the buyer only had to pay $25! I lost my shirt on that one! It was a near new guitar that I knocked 35% off retail for a quick sale at $900, and I lost $100 just on the Ebay and Payl fees alone - adding the high shipping rates, it made it hardly worth selling.

[Black Squirrel]

Here is what I do, If I dont have a Box I post On Craiglist That I am offering 2x 40oz Of malt liquor to the person who can deliver a Box. Never Fails I always get a Good box, Some skateboard kid will beg one from GC Fed Ground and USPS are the cheapest for Guitars.

[supersonic1414]

Anyone notice eBay is taking a cut of shipping fees now?!!

[joec63]

Anyone notice eBay is taking a cut of shipping fees now?!!

Yeah, supposedly their way of reigning in sellers who charge excessively for shipping. However, I listed a guitar recently with a low shipping flate rate of $15 to entice some traffic and they hit me up for excessive shipping. And it cost me $26 bucks to ship...bastages I tell ya :mob

[sondich]

UPS Stores add a retail cost on top of the normal shipping rates that you would incur. Some consumers believe the outlets are actually UPS branches but are shocked when they ring up the price.

I didn't realize this at first, either. Customer service varies greatly from franchise to franchise.

The biggest issue I've had with UPS Store is they don't always know or apply UPS charges correctly. The most expensive overcharges I've experienced were surcharges for irregular packaging (kind of subject to interpretation).

They're basically brokering UPS shipments. If they get a higher bill from UPS than they collected from you, the UPS Store eats it. Conversely, they pocket any surplus. This is why they tend to err in their own favor.

Steve

[jamdogg]

As a owner of a UPS Store this is a false statement. Our prices are the same as if you take it to the hub and ship. Other retail outlets, Pack & ships, Postal Annex's, etc, can charge what they want. All of that being said and shipping tons of guitars, that seems very high. I could see on the high side of maybe being 80.00 - 90.00, but that would be a strech to get to 150.00. My .02

In theory the prices should be the same, but thats hit or miss in these parts.

[9fingers]

I make and ship hand made pottery, always self packed (really well). The local UPS store averages about 4 times the cost of FedEx/Kinkos. A UPS pickup scheduled by phone is not half as bad.
I personally am not going anywhere near a UPS Store again.

[bsuite]

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't find out what the cost would be BEFORE you have them pack it. :huh

Do you take your car in for some work without asking how much it will cost?

[lennon08]

bsuite, I live in NYC and had to walk about a 1/2 with the guitar strapped to my back was going out afterwards. I didn't want to keep with guitar with me all day. If I lived somewhere where I had car I would have walked out and gone somewhere else.

[vortexxxx]

Be careful. UPS tries to avoid paying for damages on insured items if they don't pack them themselves (claiming they weren't properly packed).

[lennon08]

So I went back to the shop. I got my shipping costs refunded. No chance of the packaging seeing it was already done. I went to another shop and the price went from $86 to $41. That is a huge difference.

[bsuite]

bsuite, I live in NYC and had to walk about a 1/2 with the guitar strapped to my back was going out afterwards. I didn't want to keep with guitar with me all day. If I lived somewhere where I had car I would have walked out and gone somewhere else.

Ok, I see.

Forgot not everyone has a car. ( or wants/needs one)
Maybe a phone call could have saved a bunch.

Man I can't even imagine Living in NYC.
I'm a country boy.

[gpro34]

Na, that's about right, but you're better off packing it yourself and taking it to a UPS depot. The storefront operations have an overhead that you get to take part in paying for. I have found that Fedex is usually a little better than UPS in most cases.

Unless you have a claim. If you packed it yourself, the try and weasel out.

[grapeshot]

I have found that the best way to ship is FedEx. By having an online account, I set up and pay for the shipping online and then drop it off at any FedEx location. I have yet to pay over $50 to ship a guitar anywhere conus (insured). I used to buy UPS shipping online before switching to FedEx, and I know that the insurance is significantly more if you pay for shipping at a UPS store.

[MetalOctane]

I recently took a pre-packaged playstation3 to a UPS store and they wanted $78 to insure and ship it. I said that's crazy and took it to Fed-ex who only charged me $28.

[wilder]

Just order 5 or 10 guitar boxes. They will get used eventually and are easy to store flat. This removes the biggest hassle of guitar shipping before you even start.

http://www.uline.com/BL_7906/Guitar-Box

[_pete_]

As a owner of a UPS Store this is a false statement. Our prices are the same as if you take it to the hub and ship. Other retail outlets, Pack & ships, Postal Annex's, etc, can charge what they want. All of that being said and shipping tons of guitars, that seems very high. I could see on the high side of maybe being 80.00 - 90.00, but that would be a strech to get to 150.00. My .02

Well, maybe your store is different but I know for a fact that when I ship directly from the main UPS location, it is much less than at the UPS store across the street. I even took the same package to both once just to check....

As did I.
The UPS Store wanted $79.50 to ship a PRS SE Singlecut in a hard case, self packed, with $700 insurance. The guy there also called me a liar when I said I regularly ship identical packages for $30. I walked.
The UPS hub charged around $31.00 for it.

Your store may be different but it also may be the only one that is.

[bluesjuke]

UPS Stores have been screwing people ever since the first one walked in the door.

It's like the loan shark of shipping but they don't break your legs because you pay upfront.

[Route234]

As a owner of a UPS Store this is a false statement. Our prices are the same as if you take it to the hub and ship. Other retail outlets, Pack & ships, Postal Annex's, etc, can charge what they want. All of that being said and shipping tons of guitars, that seems very high. I could see on the high side of maybe being 80.00 - 90.00, but that would be a strech to get to 150.00. My .02

Not true at all. My son worked there for a summer and they charge people for all kinds of stuff and its ALWAYS more than it should be. The problem with UPS stores is that they are franchises or something similar. The guys running the particular shop you ship from do whatever they want pretty much. The one near me will never ship a guitar for less than 100 bucks. If they pack it they will ask for at least 125-175 bucks. There are two of them near me and both are so bad that I wouldnt ship a feather in an envelope from either one. Their service is bad and their prices are utterly offensive. I can ship from UPS at a Pak Mail place down the street for usually nearly half the quote from UPS. I actually use UPS for a quote then I make a deal with the guy who owns the Pak Mail place and shaves 20-40% right off of it and then ships through the same carrier.

[tjmicsak]

The person at the counter was this guy?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v-3gbtENGj8/TLDOkRcjc6I/AAAAAAAAHq4/5khNXWvjuPk/s1600/Richard+Roundtree+as+Shaft.jpg

[lennon08]

bsuite, it's not so bad in NYC. I grew up in NH and the SW Florida. For me I am finally home but def for everybody.

[Stinky Kitty]

It was in a gig bag from Brooklyn to Ohio.

Thanks you guys. I have been steaming all day about it.


I mailed a guitar in a gig bag five states north of me and it cost $18. Every time I go to Guitar Center, I hit the dumpster on the way out and can usually score one or two mint condition original cardboard shipping boxes. After two months of visits, I'm usually up to seven or eight decent boxes on call. Then, all it takes is some bubble wrap and peanuts. I have an online account with FedEx. I'll print the shipping label at home, take it with me to FedEx Kinkos, hand both the box and printing label to 'em and I'm outta there in less than a minute.

Yup, your wallet got rocked.

[Lublin]

You got hosed badly, my friend.

[sondich]

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't find out what the cost would be BEFORE you have them pack it. :huh

Do you take your car in for some work without asking how much it will cost?

Most people go to UPS.com to get rates.wwwapps.ups.com/ctc/request

My UPS store keeps calculating higher rates for the same packages. Today, for example, my package had a $12.50 surcharge (again). When I ask them why UPS.com did not give a surcharge, they said the UPS.com calculator is wrong.

The UPS store guy:

- Couldn't tell my why there was a surcharge on my package
- Was pretty sure it had something to do with the size
- Couldn't give me any paperwork or guidelines as to when surcharges kick in
- Told me the best bet is to bring the package down and let them give me a rate in person (real practical)

In fairness, I've also used another UPS location that never gave me any of these issues.

[carbz]

I co-managed a UPS store for nearly eight years. I was very fair with the customers which IMO keeps them coming back. That price seems definitely too much but you didn't overpay for the shipping you overpaid for the packing. UPS stores make anywhere from 40% to 45% on most shipping charges but the customer pays the actual counter rate. The only thing the stores can play around with is the Insurance. The one I worked at charged $2.00 per hundred. If you went to UPS directly its like $.75 per hundred. The best way too beat the system is pack it yourself. Of course I had to tell customers if we put additional Insurance on a package we did not pack I couldn't guarantee reimbursement on damage, only loss. Also make sure if using the store they offer the pack and ship promise because if not its much more difficult to get UPS to pain claims. On a final note always ask what your total will be before you commit. I agree I think the stores charge way to much for the packaging services. Some stores charge near mechanic rates for packing.

[Stinky Kitty]

I always take photographs of the packing process from start to finish. I have evidence of double-boxed, peanuts and bubble wrap and file that away until the package is successfully delivered. The only problem is I've never had to file a claim so I don't know if that would be enough to sufficiently prove quality packing prior to shipping. Not in 30 years of shipping guitars have I filed a claim. I use FedEx FWIW. Knock on wood.

[Oakley]

I always take photographs of the packing process from start to finish. I have evidence of double-boxed, peanuts and bubble wrap and file that away until the package is successfully delivered. The only problem is I've never had to file a claim so I don't know if that would be enough to sufficiently prove quality packing prior to shipping. Not in 30 years of shipping guitars have I filed a claim. I use FedEx FWIW. Knock on wood.


This is what I do too. I also take pics of the guitar just before the packing starts. I did have one claim - that was with the USPS. The pictures were hard to argue with.