Shipping amp across country Fed Ex/UPS vs USPS Retail Ground

Kenny Howard · Post by **Kenny Howard** » 17 Apr 2020 3:17 pm

Dear Brothers & Sisters

Getting ready to ship an amp (52 # total shipping weight)
So, went on the Carrier websites to get an estimate.

Results are:
Fed Ex & UPS both at around $155 incl insurance & signature.
Post Office with same services about $129.

Is this for real?
Anyone else shipping heavy items like this thru the Post Office?

In the past, I've always tried to use Fed Ex (vs UPS). They have performed best for me.
However, the cost difference favoring USPS is certainly something to consider. Yes?

Gary Kaye · Post by **Gary Kaye** » 17 Apr 2020 4:54 pm

Check out Pirateship.com
I have used them many times for shipping, they offer online discount rates for the US Postal Service. You print your label at home and pay with a credit card and insurance is available as well. Saved me quite a bit of money..

Gene Tani · Post by **Gene Tani** » 17 Apr 2020 5:01 pm

long thread on topic from this week suggest asking at Greyhound

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=356598

Kenny Howard · Post by **Kenny Howard** » 17 Apr 2020 5:08 pm

thanks Gary & Gene for their input.

Has anyone shipped USPS lately?

And, have they captured the Post Office reduced rates?
(relative to Fed Ex/UPS that is)

Ken

Patrick Huey · Post by **Patrick Huey** » 18 Apr 2020 3:42 am

Kenny Consider shipping via Greyhound...yes the bus people! Last Session 500 I purchased was shipped from Ohio to Texas via Geyhound and was @ $85. Shipped under the bus in storage compartment and doesnâ€™t change vehicles at ten different hubs like FedEx UPS etc so itâ€™s minimally handled reducing chance of damage itâ€™s insured and recipient just meets bus at local bus stop for pickup. I shipped a steel and an amp this way as well no issues.')

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Apr 2020 7:53 am

I have shipped pedal steels through the USPS with excellent results. They will take up to 75 lbs.

Erv

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 18 Apr 2020 7:57 am

Fed-Ex has always worked well for me. UPS packages always arrive looking like theyâ€™ve been through a war zone.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Apr 2020 8:06 am

Fed-Ex did me dirty. They severely damaged an Emmons p/p for me and I had to take them to court to get any compensation.

Kenny Howard · Post by **Kenny Howard** » 19 Apr 2020 6:01 pm

Gracias to everybody for their input.

Irv, thanks for sharing your success with the post office.
Hate to hear about settlements going all the way to Small Claims though - At least you got to learn our court system.

Ken

Kenny Howard · Post by **Kenny Howard** » 19 Apr 2020 6:05 pm

Ooops
Meant to spell Erv with an E. sorry

Hard to tell I'm a college graduate.

Gene Tani · Post by **Gene Tani** » 19 Apr 2020 6:28 pm

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=341355

Shipping tips: get the burliest cardboard box you can, if there's an open appliance store they have great boxes, put Polyethylene/Polyurethane/Convoluted foam to cushion all 6 sides. Take lots of pictures of item and box, keep sales receipt anything else you can to establish the item's value and say a little prayer before you seal it!

Dave Diehl · Post by **Dave Diehl** » 20 Apr 2020 6:04 am

I have received guitars by USPS and all was good with it upon arrival. Since then I've had more confidence in them in shipping similar items.

Tony Edwards · Post by **Tony Edwards** » 20 Apr 2020 6:46 am

I was told that UPS and Fed-Ex charge by the size of the package, while USPS will charge by the weight of the package. If you box it up yourself, it is much cheaper. But if they (UPS, Fed-Ex) boxes it and if they use bubble wrap or peanuts, you get charges out the wazoo for it. I prefer USPS, especially for the lighter packages.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Apr 2020 7:12 am

I also think that if there are any damages, USPS is easier to collect from than FedEx or UPS.

Erv