How about if I ask it this way: if you were going to ship a guitar tomorrow, what carrier would you use, what level of service, and how much would you expect to pay? I really do need some good advice, never having done this. (I do have a good box) Thanks!

B

This message has been edited. Last edited by: B Woods,

fedex express saver is my usual call. depends on weather, the guitar being shipped (if it's a one off, second day air at the least). And don't ship on a Thursday or Friday. Monday's the day.

Monday sounds right to me. As far as shipping method, you can probably get some good advice from your local Collings dealer.

Believe it or not - I didn't at first - the US Postal Service overnight works great. Costs about $75 for next day. I've used it the last few times and have been very satisfied.

Note that guitar shipping boxes are right on the edge of their size restrictions, so oversized boxes aren't gonna make it.

I swear by UPS. I've never had a problem with them. Nor the USPS. I'll never use FedEx or DHL again. Average cost for 3 day ground is 35-40.

I just bought a om1ass-cut with Calton case and seperate Calton case for my CJ from "dadthrash" on this forum. He sent it all by Fed-Ex with insurance. He did an excellent job of packing both, I must say. None the less, everything arrived in great shape! I can not see the sense in arguing over a few bucks when shipping a 4K guitar.

I've never shipped a guitar but I've shipped a few guns. Some quite expensive. The consensus amongst those who ship high quality guns, seems to be USPS.

I have had no problems with USPS, but I haven't shipped anything as large as a guitar through their hands.
I do know that, as far as air freight goes, USPS contracts with UPS and FedEx to handle a lot of their packages.
I have heard things both ways on the value of insurance with UPS. My main gripe with UPS is that they will leave a box outside of my house even if the way bill calls for a signature.
I would definitely use the "Monday" rule as others have pointed out. The biggest thing is packing. I usually have someone else pack a guitar and I use, God forbid, those stupid plastic peanuts as well as pack the headstock/body area above the neck block.
Good luck.

I've always had good luck shipping everything through the USPS. It seems to work out just as cheap if not cheaper than FedEx and UPS and I've never had any problems with packages getting damaged.

Thanks everyone. You reassured me enough about USPS to plan to use that service, should my "I'll-cover-shipping" ebay auction succeed. Cheers!

B

P.S. Still time to bid on my great D-1!

Make absolutely sure USPS will insure for the full amount of the guitar. I ship often to Europe and the max USPS will insure is $800. I use Fedex.
Jerry

If Chicago mail would be involved in ANY way along its trip, avoid the USPS at all costs. They've earned their "worst service in the US" time and time again.

I use UPS or FedEx. Lately, UPS has been the most "gentle" with important shipments, FedEx having made several mistakes.