Shipping?

[$ongWriter]

Question about shipping a guitar. I have a "few" guitars I'd like to sell. But, the closest UPS store is 30 min away. Do any of you ship guitars from home by weighing, packing and setting up home pick up? I'm pretty sure it can be done just never tried it myself. thanks in advance for any help. I hate to sell a guitar and have no way to ship it in a timely manner.

[Cibby]

It can be done that way. Probably smart way to do it. I live in very rural area if I want to ship Fed Ex I have to setup pickup and UPS is about 30 miles away to.Ive noticed our post office is way behind with deliveries . I have some small items that were 3 day delivery coming and those 3 days have come and gone last week. USPS tracking shows there still in transit. Fed Ex has a package of mine right on schedule so they seem to be doing ok.

[BluesBelly]

Call up UPS or FedX.
They will ask you questions including Weight, dimensions of the box, value, etc. You will be asked if you want to insure it for the value, and you will be instructed how to properly package it.
The Delivery company will pick it up in a timely fashion and it’s that simple.

Blues

[Gatorwampus]

Thanks for that. I have a guitar I would like to sell, and usually ship USPS but I would like to avoid the trip to the post office. FedEx has not impressed me at all (I could tell you stories) so I guess I will try UPS. Anyone used UPS lately and how was your experience? Thanks!

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by $ongWriter

...Do any of you ship guitars from home by weighing, packing and setting up home pick up?...

I don't know about the home pickup, but if you sell off of reverb, I strongly recommend using their "print a shipping label." Of course, you have to have a printer, but if you give them the weight and measurements, they'll "sell" you a shipping label that you then tape to your shipping box, and I guarantee you the expense will be considerably less than if you personally worked directly with UPS or FedEx or USPS.

[brencat]

Yes. Certainly with Fedex ship manager, you can arrange a scheduled pickup by checking the box. I’m sure it’s the same with UPS.

[SoCalSurf]

Originally Posted by Gatorwampus

Thanks for that. I have a guitar I would like to sell, and usually ship USPS but I would like to avoid the trip to the post office. FedEx has not impressed me at all (I could tell you stories) so I guess I will try UPS. Anyone used UPS lately and how was your experience? Thanks!

I hear you about FedEx. Never, ever again.

I recently sold a guitar via this forum and shipped it from the UPS store near my house. Easiest transaction I've ever had, and the guitar shipped in record time. Only one customer was allowed in at one time but nobody was there anyway.

I highly recommend that route if possible.

[seannx]

You may already know this, but if you pack the guitar yourself, do it really well, secure the headstock with padding, follow all the recommendations, and take photos.

When the buyer receives the guitar, and there is visual damage to the box on arrival, have it noted on the delivery receipt, and then ask that they take photos before and during unboxing. That way when UPS denies the claim, you will have evidence to support it.

If the UPS store offers the pack and ship option (they have to be signed up for the program), it will cost more for theit packing service, but there will be no delay or problem getting a damage claim paid.

[$ongWriter]

Originally Posted by DCCougar

I don't know about the home pickup, but if you sell off of reverb, I strongly recommend using their "print a shipping label." Of course, you have to have a printer, but if you give them the weight and measurements, they'll "sell" you a shipping label that you then tape to your shipping box, and I guarantee you the expense will be considerably less than if you personally worked directly with UPS or FedEx or USPS.

I also assume you purchase the amount of insurance this way too..right? thanks

[jpricewood]

Use Reverb. Shipping and insurance rates are cheaper through them. As soon as you sell your guitar, they give you the option to print a shipping label at home. All you need is a tape measure, scale, and box.

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by $ongWriter

Question about shipping a guitar. I have a "few" guitars I'd like to sell. But, the closest UPS store is 30 min away. Do any of you ship guitars from home by weighing, packing and setting up home pick up? I'm pretty sure it can be done just never tried it myself. thanks in advance for any help. I hate to sell a guitar and have no way to ship it in a timely manner.

You and one other poster mentioned "the UPS Store." I don't ship (so bear that in mind), but my understanding is that using the UPS Store can be vastly more expensive than most any other options, especially if they pack it for you. That's just what I've read many times in threads like this, so passing it along as something to check up front to avoid surprises.

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by $ongWriter

I also assume you purchase the amount of insurance this way too..right? thanks

UPS and FedEx don't really offer insurance. You can use a 3rd party like U-Pic or purchasing shipping insurance through heritage. There's shockingly little info out there about it.

[seannx]

Originally Posted by Paleolith54

You and one other poster mentioned "the UPS Store." I don't ship (so bear that in mind), but my understanding is that using the UPS Store can be vastly more expensive than most any other options, especially if they pack it for you. That's just what I've read many times in threads like this, so passing it along as something to check up front to avoid surprises.

My bad.
Guess I should have said:

If the UPS store offers the pack and ship option (they have to be signed up for the program), it will cost significantly more for their packing service, but there will be no delay or problem getting a damage claim paid.

The reality is that even if a guitar is packed well, a damage claim is usually summarily denied, and it can take significant time and energy to get paid. Maybe this is different if you ship with Reverb’s label and insurance. If so, that’s the way to go. Otherwise using the UPS pack and ship service ensures speedy, no hassle reimbursement. That could be a plus for some. Personally I hate wasting time contesting a denied claim. I make a lot more per hour in my regular work, than the amount of the additional cost. Obviously YMMV

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by seannx

...The reality is that even if a guitar is packed well, a damage claim is usually summarily denied, and it can take significant time and energy to get paid....

I guess this does happen, but I've shipped quite a few guitars using UPS, USPS, and FedEx. (I don't like FedEx either.) I've never had a damaged shipment. You do want to pack well. Sometimes I double-box. I've also received quite a few shipped guitars. Never had a problem there either.

[lowrider]

The first thing to do is to open an account with FedEx, UPS, USPS or whomever you like. This will save you a huge amount off of walk-in prices.