DO NOT use UPS for SHIPPING

Pat Richardson · From: Paxton, Illinois, USA

I may have posted something on this before , but once again I want to update . I just was forced to pay $194.00 to ship, pack and insure the Blue GFI S-10 guitar I just sold . I looked on the internet and the prices they show there were $60.00 cheaper than what they actually charged me , and I was accurate with my weight and size. The biggest reason I wanted them to pack it was UPS has a policy to where they basically let you buy insurance on items over $1000.00 but if they do not pack it themselves, and should something happen they can clam it was not packed to meet there standards. Hope every one reads this and use caution and does not get robbed like I did. PS I would have used FedX or some other shipper but to my knowledge there is not one in my area that professionally packs .
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Howard Parker · From: Maryland

UPS Store?

If so, they are NOT UPS. It's a franchise.

I pack up my own stuff, go online, arrange a pickup and away you go. The price you see online is the price I pay, including whatever insurance I arrange.

h

Chase Brady · From: Ohio, USA

Howard is correct. Each UPS store sets its own prices. They can vary substantially from one store to the next. I've also had them tell me what the post office would charge, and the figure they gave was several times the actual cost.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

You did not get robbed.

You made the choice to pay what you did.

Take responsibility for your action.

Thank you for sharing do others will not make the same choice.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Kevin Raymer · From: Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA

The packages I get that have been packed by a UPS store are much inferior to my packing technique...

They hire kids who have no idea how to protect pedal steels or tube amps.

I ship fedex anyway...

Smile

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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

If not UPS, then who? Oh Well

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

I've had the best luck with the US Post Office and I've used them for over three decades for shipping guitars and steels. stevet

Cartwright Thompson · Posted 25 Jun 2016 1:46 pm

[quote="Alan Brookes"]If not UPS, then who? :\[/quote]
FedEx

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

What Cartwright said. FedEx is your best bet. Postal Service used to be cheaper but has gone up to as much or more than FedEx now and takes twice as long.

You get the fastest ground delivery with fewer problems, less damage with FedEx. People ship to me by UPS and it's always screwed up. They've now started passing some packages off to the postal service for final delivery and then you have 2 agencies to deal with.

Oh yeah. You need to pack it yourself and deliver it to the depot regardless of the shipping agent if you want the best price and the fewest problems.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

like stated above, you didn't pay for UPS , you paid for a 3rd party service and packing along with UPS shipping.

A recent purchase of a 70 pound Steel shipped to me from Ct, to NC, was $49 UPS insured. It was self packed and dropped off at a UPS store which is the same as a HUB. If it is not a UPS store than it is 3rd party. IF it's not a FED EX Hub it is still 3rd party and you will pay extra.

UPS and Fed Ex have enough stuff we can blame them for on their own, this is not one of them.

Now on the other side of the coin is if we are not able to pack a 70 pound Steel on our own then indeed we have to pay the price for someone else to do it.

Different locations get better service for either Fed Ex or UPS. I live about 15 miles from a UPS HUB , about 30 miles from a FED EX Hub. UPS is in our area delivering 3 times a day, FED EX once a day at best. Service really depends on where you are in location to the closest hub. One is not really better than another but can be based on where we live. Then add that if you live pretty far away from either HUB you will indeed pay more.

And then, why would we give a $3000 + instrument weighing over 60 pounds to a young clerk ( say 18 to 22) to pack for us who doesn't even know what it is ? How can they determine the best way to pack something if they don't know what it is ? Peanuts in a box ? 30 minutes later they settle to less than a half filled box.

If we do this, look for and expect trouble and please do not blame the shipper for damage. It was not professionally packed no matter how many times they say they are PRO's.

Pedal Steels are not difficult to pack for NO DAMAGE. But they are awkward due to the weight.

-secure the Steel in the case, minimal movement. Do not put anything abrasive between the front or rear apron and the inside case area.

-wrap the entire case with 1" Styrofoam from Home Depot. It comes in sheets.

-cover the outside with cardboard, this is basically for looks, you will not find a box so cut up a bunch of boxes and use tape.

-leave the case handle area exposed tucked, drivers are smart enough to use it . The handle will be folded down so it will not get caught on a conveyor. Bring it to the HUB or pay on-line and drop it off with a pre-paid ticket label.

- mark the box " HEAVY" and the weight, mark the handle area so they know it's there should they decide to use it.
The drivers will use it.

- get a drop off receipt.

- go home and pray
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Steve Green · From: Gulfport, MS, USA

I always ship FedEx. It's convenient to where I live, they have nice, helpful people, and the rates are roughly the same as anywhere else.

If the buyer only provides a PO Box, then I have to use the Post Office. Their rates tend to be higher, and the folks aren't as friendly. They also won't accept a package over 108".

I always heard UPS = Universal Package Smashers.
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John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

I will just add that in MY area, Fedex is HALF the price for properly packing steels, and only 2/3rds the price of UPS for shipping.
They seem faster to me as well.

I use only FedEx from now on.

But let's face it, NEITHER will give you a cent if they destroy your instrument.
Their insurance policies aren't worth the ink on the paper.

JB
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Nathan Laudenbach · From: Montana

I managed an independent Fedex store for five years. While Fedex was MUCH better to ship with compared to UPS, claim worthy packing was the same and I never once lost a claim dispute over a damaged item.

Pack the guitar in a box surrounded in an inch or two of peanuts or bubbler wrap, whatever you have. Then double box it, again surrounded by more packing. This method has never failed me. Take pictures to document you did it the right way.

Make sure you pay for INSURANCE, not just a declared value.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

All due respect but how can you insure anything with FedEx when their own service guide states they do not offer insurance of any kind? Only that the declared value is used for disputes for loss and damage, and that's subjective it seems.

Can they link you to an outside agent for insuring freight? Has anyone done that?

Do the pack and ship stores have a resource for shipping insurance?

Also, how do the builders handle shipping steels? They ship dozens, even hundreds of guitars. What is their method for getting a safe delivery?

FWIW, I only use FedEx for large and heavy items. Never a problem except....the last D10 I shipped to Lubbock Texas I wrote $2500 as the declared value. The agent told me that for anything over $500 he would have to see the actual item.... before he could accept that figure on the form.

I told him I had spent all day packing it and I wasn't about to open it up. He agreed to accept it but said remember this for the next time.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

pretty funny thread. We will debate who's the best shipper probably as long as which strings are best ! Smile

I have shipped perhaps 50 Instruments via UPS over the last 2 or 3 years, not one lost or damaged. Thats probably 15 Steel Guitars. I packed each instrument myself. Insurance also was never an issue, inspection was never an issue.

Others obviously have different experiences but that really doesn't make one better than the other. If the shipments are successful than we love the carrier, if the are not , well then we don't !

BUT, always start with correct packaging for a 70 pound item which is difficult to handle. If we are having a hard time bringing it into the store, the HARD TIME doesn't end there.

The only time I ever had any items arrive damaged was thru the US Post Office, two guitars with broken head stocks. Both had guitars in boxes filled with peanuts which really only filled less than half way by the time they settled. Poor packing, not poor shipping. Had they been packed properly they would have arrived fine.
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jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

I agree, Tony. The problem is usually poor packing, not poor shipping. I've shipped about 150 guitars and amps in the past 15 years or so... both UPS and FedEx and never had a problem. No damage to the stuff I've shipped. But I have received some damaged items from sellers. One time I bought a mint condition Fender PSG from a woman in California (eBay). She shipped it via UPS in the case only! No box. She just put a label on the case and shipped it. So this beautiful old Fender case arrived with a hole smashed in the side... wood splinters everywhere. Stupid is as stupid does.
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Pat Richardson · From: Paxton, Illinois, USA

Thank you Howard, i was not aware that each UPS outlet store was privately owned and charged a different price that what is quoted on line. @ Chris , I beg your pardon but I was robbed , or I feel that way because I promised the buyer I would ship the guitar by a certain date . Since I thought I had done my home work and went on line for a correct price quote , I did not at the time I dropped on the guitar for shipping have , #1 time to go shopping for and alternative way for packing and shipping and #2 there are no other choice's in my area for pack and ship. I will say one thing This particular UPS outlet will NEVER get another dollar of my money again , and I as a musician of 30 years are one of there better customers .
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GFI D-10 Ultra, Peavey Nashville 112, Goodrich 120 .

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

When we talk of companies like UPS,USPS, FedEx, etc., we must realise that they're all staffed by individuals, and the service that you receive will depend on which individuals handle your parcel. Like all organisations, there are careful staff and careless ones.

Doug Paluch · From: Michigan, USA

I too agree with Tony. I've shipped tons of instruments through both fedex and UPS, and I've not had a problem with either. Pack it yourself, and do a good job, you shouldn't have an issue.

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Doug, I wish I could say the same but I have had the worse shipping problems with UPS and then FED-EX but none with US Post Office whom I used way more than the other two combined.

I pack the guitars myself and pack well so the only other variable I assume is the quality of the workers at the shipping company. steve t

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Fed-Ex. is the only shipper I'll use.

James Holland · From: Alabama, USA

Yep - UPS started pulling the bait-and-switch stunt with me for postage a year or so ago. I quit using UPS after three upcharges after delivery, with no excuse. And these weren't trivial - about 33% additional cost out of nowhere! I contacted them for an explanation, but only got the 24hr reply, to say they are looking into it, and will get back with me. That was a year ago. Thank goodness for free markets and competition.

To clarify, this was for postage only, purchased online, dropped off at their counter. I've never used 3rd parties, nor a package service. UPS? Not a fan.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

James Morehead taught me a good trick. I only deal in old Shobuds. Pack the original handle. Go to the pet supply store and buy a nylon dog collar. Hook it onto the cases's handle rings. Let the guys use itl Works great and saves your '63 handle from any damage.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Was the shipment in this thread discussion an actual UPS Store or a 3rd party shipping store which offers UPS and other carriers. I have not seen a Franchised UPS store locally that up charge 33%. Actually I have seen the opposite at the two franchise UPS stores I drop off at, they are telling me they can save me a few dollars over the internet prices.

3rd party stores indeed mark up everything about 35% , regardless of carrier. There is a HUGE difference between a Franchised UPS Store and an Authorized UPS shipping agent same thing goes with FED EX...

Do not assume that because they offer UPS service that they are a Franchised UPS Store.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

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