Question on postage costs (UK)

[Pat]

How do you guys calculate postage costs for guitars? Do you take it to a post office and ask them to give you a quote or is there an easier way?

 

[GazPots]

Back in the day you'd weigh it and have the package dimensions so you could get a quote online from the various couriers. Haven't shipped a guitar in years though so times may have changed.

 

[Emperoff]

I use Packlink Pro for everything besides small packages.

 

[Pat]

Nice one thanks

 

[Pat]

Do you guys post in a cardboard box or is a hardcase on its own generally ok?

 

[ThunderUnderground]

Hardcase on its own should be fine, i would say that its best to maybe put some black bags over it and wrap it with tape. It will stop any water ingress and also act as a failsafe in case the latches pop open in transit.

If you wanted to be really sure then you could get some cardboard and add a layer of that as extra padding around the case. 👌

 

[Pat]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[GazPots]

Do you guys post in a cardboard box or is a hardcase on its own generally ok?

I once shipped a guitar hardshell only and it got dropped so hard it broke the case. Somehow my guitar was fine. I was then told to pack as if it will be dropped from a good height by the tech I sent it to. Seems true.

I'd say box it up and pad the outside of the case with bubble wrap before boxing. Also maybe look at padding the neck near the nut to stop any breaking potential. Better safe than sorry.

 

[penguin_316]

Must box and pad the contents. I ordered a cheap guitar brand new a few years ago that came in a cardboard box, that was half opened. Nothing else protecting it. Somehow, not a mark on it…better not chance it though considering reputation. Send it how you’d like to receive it and good trades will just keep happening.

 

[Pat]

More questions sorry! Does anyone use a courier with advanced insurance cover? Have looked at parcelforce, DPD and others who say they only insure up to £200ish as guitars are liable to break? Thanks in advance

 

[ThunderUnderground]

Ive never had a guitar insured for delivery personally.

Just to put this in to context, i own 8 guitars, all have been purchased used online and shipped with various couriers with different levels of protection. The only time i had a guitar turn up damaged was ironically when i had it shipped with the neck and body separated to avoid damage in transit. The seller packaged it very poorly and the headstock was exposed (photo included)

I would really encourage you to use ParcelForce, everything i ship or receive with them arrives in good time and i usually know the drivers because they are a constant on that route. The guys are Evri/Herme's and other 3rd party couriers are usually gig economy guys and they don't give a shit about your parcel.

Me personally as a buyer or seller, what i would like to see is this;

Guitar in hard case, additional padding or support inside if need's be, try minimize movement as much as you can, wind the strings down a bit to relieve tension on the neck too.
Close the case, make sure all latches are closed properly and cover the case with bags in case its pouring with rain when out for delivery.
Then basically cocoon the hard case with cardboard for extra padding and completely wrap it with tape. I personally feel its a good idea to leave the case handle exposed so it can be used in transit, it also lets the courier know its probably a guitar inside and its best not to throw it around, they don't want a claim coming in for breakages so if they see a handle poking out of something that resembles a guitar case, they might give more of a fuck.

Good luck!

 

[Pat]

Great stuff mate thanks very much for that!