Shipping Guitars: +1 for FedEx

[this1smyne]

Ok... i've not been around this forum too long, as i tend to hover in pedal land.... but i've just had the best experience shipping a guitar. First off, i have sold very few guitars in my life, most were local and i've shipped 3. The 'cost' of shipping was roughly $50 (UPS and USPS, a touch more on USPS) which is mainly because i seal the guitar ridiculously well and pack it so you could practically run over it with a truck and it would be ok. im talking heavy Les Pauls in case wiht a ton of packing, not Estevan acoustics in foam pellets.
So i shipped a guitar out today (a trade, not a sale) and it only cost me $14. $14. Just making sure you could read that. It cost me less to ship a guitar across state lines than a pedal to canada, or a heavy pedal to the west coast.
so props to fedex for making shipping guitars affordable.

[HoboMan]

+2 to FedEx.
I use them thru my workplace and I shipped a guitar last week for $10.32.

[DANOCASTER]

+3 for FedEX

they've never lost or damaged anything I've packed myself

and they always seem to get there on - or ahead of - time :BEER

[archtopjazz]

+4 for FedEx.
Shipped a $3,000.00 guitar and $5,000.00 guitar in the last month cross country with no problems.

[Snail]

Wow, I can't believe this. I've been doing it the wrong way!!

[this1smyne]

and its closest to my home (less than a 1/4 mile) AND open leagues later than UPS or USPS (both close 5-6pm) fedEx is open to 9m every day but sunday

[Matt F]

I use FedEx all the time. Ground shipments in the $3000 range for a guitar seem to range in the 30-50 range depending on the destination and haven't had a problem yet. I also like the new tracking update gui on their site.

The folks in Kinkos would giggle there for a while because I had been in there at least once a week with TGP swaps last year.. I like the convenience of Kinkos too.

[Nuclearfishin]

Originally Posted by archtopjazz

+4 for FedEx.
Shipped a $3,000.00 guitar and $5,000.00 guitar in the last month cross country with no problems.

Make sure you have those guitars insured with somebody outside FedEx. If FedEx lost or damaged your guitars, they won't cover them EVEN IF YOU PAID FOR FULL insurance. Read the fine print, there's a limit they will reimburse even though they have no problem taking your money for the full insurance cost.

[DANOCASTER]

Originally Posted by Nuclearfishin

Make sure you have those guitars insured with somebody outside FedEx. If FedEx lost or damaged your guitars, they won't cover them EVEN IF YOU PAID FOR FULL insurance. Read the fine print, there's a limit they will reimburse even though they have no problem taking your money for the full insurance cost.

this is true for vintage guitars ( which qualify as antiques )

top replacement value is $500

[lesmanaz]

I just shipped a POD X3 AND a FBV Shortboard with the carrying bag for $12 including $500 insurance!! The box weighed about 22lbs, too.

I used to go with UPS because it's closer, but after they charged me $60 to ship a guitar with $1000 insurance, I will never ship my stuff with UPS anymore.

[musicofanatic5]

I just sold and shipped a $200 mandolin case (empty). The deal was a standard "buyer pays shipping" thing, and I told himI would go to FedEx (my preference, and a short drive). He says, "Oh, no go to UPS, they're the cheapest". I say, "You're paying for it; okay". It was over $40 for a 35x16x12, 15.25 lb. box! Wouldn't have have been more than $25 at FedEx. I'll keep going there when the shipping's on me (for a not-so-valuable item).

[toadcaller]

I have shipped a couple of guitars and whenever possible I might get it packed at the UPS store, but FedEx is the way to ship. I've had UPS guys urinate in my front yard in broad daylight (same guy twice), and have watched them throw my gear up on my front porch and bounce it off the front door. I've got a "new" VHT 2/50/2 power amp with a bent right bracket from their last delivery less than 2 weeks ago. Quit your day job if you want to make a claim, and get used to talking to robots and recordings. Hard to believe China is kicking our a**!

[Nuclearfishin]

Originally Posted by DANOCASTER

this is true for vintage guitars ( which qualify as antiques )

top replacement value is $500

It's also true for any new guitar if you don't ship it overnight--max they will pay is $2,500.

[9fingers]

I do like Fedex for service and price. How to sort out the inusrance thing? I hear $500 max & then I hear other things- what is the solution when shipping a $1K+ guitar?

[Fixxxer]

If you can pack your own stuff, fed ex, knowing what I know now, is the only way.