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February 2008
Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | I have only shipped out 1 guitar in the past and I used UPS complete service, thought the price was crazy then. They just gave me a rough price of $125.00. The box alone was $32.00. I'm I losing my mind? Obviously there has to be a better way. Please advise... |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I box it up myself. If you don't have a box you might be able to get one from a local music store. Loosen the strings a few turns. They don't have to be flopping around, just looser than to pitch. Then pack TIGHTLY around the peghead. If UPS should drop the box, the peghead will snap, so you want LOTS of padding around it. Put the guitar in the case, put the case in the box, then stuff paper around it so it's not sliding back and forth in the box. (If you've got newspaper, that would be great. Just please - no packing peanuts!)
Then take it to your closest USP drop-off. If you don't know where that is you can look it up online or check the yellow pages. From there to here should be somewhere around $60.
And I'll keep checking the weather reports between there and here. Right now it's COLD!!! It looks like it's going to stay that way at least through next Monday. (And I have a shipment of guitars being delivered on Thursday! They are predicting 10 below at night and a high of 7 above during the day. I won't be opening the box until the following day. Here's hoping they are OK.) |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Will this help? https://www.ups.com/dropoff |
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Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | CanterburyStrings - 2013-12-03 2:44 PM
I box it up myself. If you don't have a box you might be able to get one from a local music store. Loosen the strings a few turns. They don't have to be flopping around, just looser than to pitch. Then pack TIGHTLY around the peghead. If UPS should drop the box, the peghead will snap, so you want LOTS of padding around it. Put the guitar in the case, put the case in the box, then stuff paper around it so it's not sliding back and forth in the box. (If you've got newspaper, that would be great. Just please - no packing peanuts!)
Then take it to your closest USP drop-off. If you don't know where that is you can look it up online or check the yellow pages. From there to here should be somewhere around $60.
And I'll keep checking the weather reports between there and here. Right now it's COLD!!! It looks like it's going to stay that way at least through next Monday. (And I have a shipment of guitars being delivered on Thursday! They are predicting 10 below at night and a high of 7 above during the day. I won't be opening the box until the following day. Here's hoping they are OK.)
Thanks, I think I will ask my buddy at the local Guitar Center for a box. The rest I can do. I live in a area with lot's choices. Not to worry CS it will arrive safe and sound. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Oh yeah, others here suggest you take pictures as you're packing it, just in case UPS breaks it. I don't ususally do that but then again, I ship LOTS of guitars and it would be a pain. Don't know how much it helps. Most of the time if a shipping company breaks a guitar, it's pretty obvious - such as forklift holes poked in the middle of the box.
Christmas season is a scary time to be shipping anything because they are in such a hurry. But I have done it before, both coming and going with no real problems. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | extra cardboard on each side make the walls of the box double thick |
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December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | If you ask Guitar Center, they'll usually try to sell you a box. If you ask them what days they get shipments in, you can usually find them discarded in the back though they're often broken down. Just tape it back up and you're ready to go. |
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February 2008
Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | damon67 - 2013-12-03 7:30 PM
If you ask Guitar Center, they'll usually try to sell you a box. If you ask them what days they get shipments in, you can usually find them discarded in the back though they're often broken down. Just tape it back up and you're ready to go.
Thanks Damon and others, all good advice.. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I actually just use the Post Office.
I have shipped a 1778T to a guy in Belgium where I just bubble wrapped the case after loosening the strings and putting some extra padding around the headstock. I insured it for $900 and it cost about $100 for shipping (Buyer Paid).
I do the same thing when I ship guitars in the States but I put the guitar & case in a box of cardboard I piece together if I don't have a spare Ovation box lying around.
I insure the guitars for $700 to whatever amount I feel gives me a good cushion should they hurt it and off it goes.
Shipping a guitar to Washington State from TN cost about $37 with the extra insurance part of the cost.
Knock on wood, I've never had an issue.
I do take pictures though.
Just my two cents.
Edited by Michael R. Winters 2013-12-06 7:36 AM
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October 2005
Posts: 4065
Location: Utah | Has anyone removed the tuning machines before shipping? It seems it would reduce the force on the neck if the box were dropped flat, thus reducing the chance of the headstock breaking off. |
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Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? |   " border="0" />
There was no guitar in there, thank goodness. 
Willa (I don't know why the link I put in this post has that gobbly gook next to it (on my screen anyway) ... |
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Shipping A Guitar