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Topic: Which shipping company to use? |
Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 3 Jul 2008 10:59 am |
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I am fixing to get a new Webb amp from Tom Bradshaw. Which shipping company would you recommend? Tom is unsure of the best one, and I certainly don't know.
KB
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Ken Lang
From:
Simi Valley, Ca
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Posted 3 Jul 2008 7:26 pm
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| While I don't usually ship anything, I just bought some gear from Sweetwater and they use Fed Ex. True to what they promised the shipping took 3 days and the gear arrived with no problems. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jul 2008 7:48 pm Then again...............
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If I was told the factual story, FedEx is the shipper that broke up Jerry Byrd's fabulous sounding Fender amp when it was shipped to Scotty following Jerry's passing. If the subsequent story is accurate, FedEx lost the damaged salvage and it was never recovered.
Check with Scotty for the true story before YOU decide. |
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Zeek Duff
From:
Longmont, Colorado, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2008 8:49 pm
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I doubt any one shipping company is "safer" to use than another. I use UPS most often, but that's because a local depot is close to me. It's a LOT cheaper to go there than to use a package outfit or UPS Store. My new steel is coming via DHL, because that's what's closest to the builder. I do think DHL ground is slightly less expensive than UPS or FedEx ground, I got an estimate online the other day and it was about $20 less than UPS for the same pkg. Didn't check FedEx. Since you're shipping an amp, I'd just go with the best price for the weight, and make sure it's insured for enough to cover the amp AND the expense of dealing with a loss. If you're dealing with a store, they generally have a deal with a shipper to pick their stuff up. Like Sweetwater ALWAYS uses FedEx, MusiciansFriend ALWAYS uses UPS, etc... So, you may not have a choice.
Best regards,
...z
_________________
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 3:22 am
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Ken I had My Zum d10 shipped from Illinois about three years ago.FED EX were very good and the cost was $350
I recently wanted to ship a T.C.Furlong SPLIT which was half the weight and the cost was $395 without insurance,I had to give up.
I have since heard that BAX ar more reasonable.
I think if the goods are well packed the actual shipping companies are even steven.
Billy |
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Steve Hitsman
From:
Waterloo, IL
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 5:45 am
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| Monday, I used DHL to ship a steel to CrowBear and I'm very pleased. The rate was EXTREMELY good and last night (Thursday) the guitar was already in Brussels. You can ship from virtually any Walgreen's (there seems to be one on every other corner) or they'll pick it up at your house. If you open an account with them, you get a 10% discount. We'll see what shape the guitar is in on arrival. |
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Mike Cass
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 6:15 am
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Been through all of them like everyone else on here.
I tried DHL on Tuesday. Despite their getting the p/u day wrong(was Monday), the cost was much less than the others, w/insurance of course. Like Steve, Im in the lets wait & see mode.....fingers crossed here. |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 7:36 am
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| The important thing is that it is packed well and correctly. Apart from that, having worked as an international shipper for several years, we found that fedex was SLIGHTLY better at international shipments and also slightly more expensive than UPS. Some countries were problematic no matter which carrier we used (Italy). Im sure Mr. Bradshaw knows how to pack..so the difference between carriers is probably gonna be marginal at most. I havent done any shipping in a few years and things can change rapidly...so maybe someone else knows better than I...but I'd use fedex for international. |
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Ronald Sikes
From:
Corsicana, Tx
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 7:45 am packing
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Like Ben said.The most important thing is the way it is packaged.I had Tom ship me an amp a while back and he use's Fedex,but he packs the amp in an oversized box with the amp wrapped in bubble wrap.I know most guitar builders use "made to fit" box's to ship they're guitars in.I've shipped several guitar's and I alway's use a 24"x24"x48" box,this allows for about 6" of bubble wrap all the way around.Do the same with shipping amps and you really shouldn't have any problem.You'll pay just slightly more for the shipping cost but it's well woth it.
_________________
Show Pro #26 & #83,BJS bars,Stereo Steel,Tommy Huff cabs loaded with JBL D130's, Wampler pedals,NV112,NV400, Steelers Choice Seats |
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Gabriel Stutz
From:
Chicago, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 8:21 am
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I've never had to ship an amp myself, but I've always heard it's safer to remove the speaker and pack it seperately. I don't know what difference if any this makes in the price (could be a little more for the same weight in 2 pkgs..?) but it makes it harder to damage either one as they're lighter if they get dropped, and the speaker is better protected when packed seperately.
Gabriel |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 4 Jul 2008 9:44 am
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Gabriel
I am buying the amp without a speaker and will be putting a BW 1501 in it when it gets here. That will reduce the weight considerably.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 7 Jul 2008 12:24 am
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shipping rates have considerably gone up because of the black gold
if tom bradshaw has a bax global account, that's one of the cheapest ways to go
you have to pick up the goods at the airport
DHL is cheaper than FedEX
UPS is the most expensive ( i don't recommend them)
FedEX is quite good
you can check the rates w; all the companies by going to their web sites
i had a my Nashville 1000 sent by US postal service & that was the really the cheapest rate i found so far
there might be a weight ( & size) limit into the UK via the post
you can check w: http://www.usps.com
i always try to send postal first & then go on to the carriers :
Bax Global, DHL & Fed Ex
Good luck Ken  |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 12:49 am
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Thanks CB. I will probably go DHL as they have a depot quite close to me. Tom said that the Post Office wasn't an option because of the weight of the amp.
Thanks for all of the other suggestions here.
KB
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 12:59 am
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Ken, i just went w: DHL to get 2 psgs over here
one arrived
it went quick without havin' the 2 day option & no dammage
the 2nd one is on the way
Bax Global is by far the best deal if you can go that way
pick up at the airport |
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Mike Cass
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 4:25 am
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| DHL got the pkg there 2 days late, but safe and sound. Guess I'll use them until......... |
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Roy Ayres
From:
Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 12:30 pm
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Awhile back I shipped a Fender Twin Reverb to NY and the independent packing store that handled it said regardless of which company you use, put at least $3,000 insurance on the package. It only costs a few bucks extra. The trick is that any employee who damages a heavily insured package will get axed by the company. The employees are more cautious with such packages, for their own self protection.
Sounds logical.
(Of course, it this were a logical world, men would ride side saddle.)
_________________
Pioneers of Western Swing HOF, Seattle 2005
Western Swing Music HOF, Sacramento 2006
International Steel Guitar HOF, St.Louis 2007
Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 8:35 pm
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Packing, packing packing.
Which one is best seems to be luck of the draw - UPS has always been great wfor me, while others like FedEx...some swear by DHL, yet I had hem lose a=n upright bass for a week!
Broken record time - PACKING. No matter WHO you use, this it the critical thing. Double-box it;I wrap it in bubble wrap and build a box around that first. That's covered with 1/4" foam protection board (found at any building supply house). Then 4-6" of hard foam in ALL corners so it "floats" in the middle. Fill the empty space with air pillows or bubble wrap - NOT peanuts unless it's a small amp, they are a royal pain and pretty lousy protection. Then outside all that is the outer box. Then I personally add some reinforced cardboard "L" shaped pieces that are 3" on a side - that goes on all the edges.
It may seem like overkill, but the guideline is pack *anything* to survive a 6-8 foot fall from a conveyor onto concrete. I've shipped maybe 50 or 60 amps, almost all like that, and never had a single one damaged.
Useless things that you do NOT need to waste time one:
1. Marking package "fragile". ALL packages are treated the same.
2. Marking "this side up" - machines do most of the moving, and they can't read.
3. Leaving handles exposed - a source of endless debate, but get a handle caught on a conveyor and cause the package to fall and get damaged, and that opening will kill your claim.
4. Packing "upside down" with a combo so the heavy part is on the bottom. Uh, in a shipping warehouse or on a conveyor there IS no bottom, no "up"...a complete waste of time.
Hope it helps, Take it for what it's worth, but I've only had a couple outgoing damage claims - and both were paid immediately.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Zeek Duff
From:
Longmont, Colorado, USA
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Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Posted 11 Jul 2008 8:29 am
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Just got an amp (more on that later in "Electronics") via DHL yesterday 
For about the same price as UPS Ground it came overnight from upstate NY to Alberta.
I went to the airport to pick it up, acted as my own customs "broker" (i.e. go to the govt. office across the street from DHL, hand them the invoice and pay the fed. sales tax) - so I saved approx. $75 on a UPS Brokerage fee hit 
Oh yeah, the seller packed it brilliantly - it would definitely have passed the 6-8' concrete swan dive test 
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<i>�Head full of this kaleidoscope of brain-freight, Heart full of something simple and slow�</i>
-Mark Heard
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