125 bucks to ship a bass?!?!? Is this a joke?!?!?

[Bassist4Life]

I am considering selling my MIM Fender Jazz. I was coming home from work and had my MIM P-Bass with me (in a gig bag). I decided to stop into the UPS Store and see how much it would cost to ship the Jazz (figuring that it's almost identical in size and weight to the P).

The guy behind the counter figured the following:
1. Ship from Buffalo to Los Angeles (the furthest distance for US shipping)

2. Ground

3. Insure the bass for $600 ($480 replacement, $55 TI Jazz Flats, $17 Strap Locks). I overestimated just a little bit. I couldn't do the math in my head that fast.

4. The bass weighed 11 lbs in the gig bag; however, it would ship at the "dimensional rate" because of its shape (51x21x11).

Total: $125.00 Are you friggin' kidding me?! Has anyone ever been given this kind of quote (or more)?!?!

I read some other threads where people were shipping for well under $50. One guys said that he got a quote in the $60 range and he called it a "shipping nightmare". My quote is more than double the "nightmare" quote.

Any advice for me? I'm considering selling my MIM Jazz so I can get a cabinet to go with my new 700RB-II. If shipping is $125, forget about it.

Peace,
Joe

[Nino Valenti]

The box is HUMONGOUS and it is why the amount is so much. You're paying dimensional weight because the box is over-sized.

I would go to a local music store and see if they can give you a nice shipping box. The boxes I use are 52" x 17" x 7". If you get a box with dimensions similar to this, the rate will drop drastically.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

The box is HUMONGOUS and it is why the amount is so much. You're paying dimensional weight because the box is over-sized.

I would go to a local music store and see if they can give you a nice shipping box. The boxes I use are 52" x 17" x 7". If you get a box with dimensions similar to this, the rate will drop drastically.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. Your box is only 1x4x4 smaller than the box at the UPS Store. Those extra dimensions make THAT much of a difference in shipping?

If you don't mind sharing, how much does it cost you to ship a bass with insurance?

Joe

[Bassist4Life]

I didn't doubt you, but I had to go and see with my own two eyes.

I went to USPS to calculate shipping on a 11lb package with the following dimensions:

52x17x7 = $48.10

51x21x11 = $127.00

NO WAY! That's crazy.

[nsmar4211]

Yes, one inch can make all the difference.
The dimensional weights are 30lb, 70 lb, 150 lb. Dimensions get too big, WHAM you're paying for a 150 lb box.
+1 to music store, get a smaller box. Pad the crap out of it. Make sure they don't over measure when they measure it.

[nsmar4211]

Oh yea, and the UPS store adds a 20% surcharge (seriously).
Take it either to a UPS outlet (*not* a "UPS Store", those are just old Mailbox etc's ) or a Staples store where you'll get charged UPS rates and no surcharges.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by nsmar4211

Oh yea, and the UPS store adds a 20% surcharge (seriously).
Take it either to a UPS outlet (*not* a "UPS Store", those are just old Mailbox etc's ) or a Staples store where you'll get charged UPS rates and no surcharges.

Thank you for the tips. I really appreciate it. There should be a sticky that contains shipping information. I had no idea that the UPS Store adds 20%. Yikes! There's a Staples right next to my work. That's perfect. Thanks again.

Joe

[Linas]

I shipped a bass in a heavy hardshell case with FedEx for like $20. The box was the same size as the case. For finding a box that is the right size, call your local guitar center and they usually have one day of the week that they receive shipments where they will have extra boxes laying around. Go on that day and snag a box.

[gkbass13]

i was a bit pissed about a 72 dollar quote to ship a lakland bass ina gigbag to LA recently...i only had 61 dollars cash on me, so the guy magically took 11 dollars off the quote...still 61, ouch. and i did bring my own box from a guitar center, but i paid ot have it packed nicely anfd insured.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by Linas

I shipped a bass in a heavy hardshell case with FedEx for like $20. The box was the same size as the case. For finding a box that is the right size, call your local guitar center and they usually have one day of the week that they receive shipments where they will have extra boxes laying around. Go on that day and snag a box.

When you ship with a hardshell case, do you have to use other packing material? Do you wrap the case in bubble wrap before it goes in the box?

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

When you ship with a hardshell case, do you have to use other packing material? Do you wrap the case in bubble wrap before it goes in the box?

Basses in many cases ship from the manufacturer in the case and in a box no bubble wrap around the case, sometimes some on the ends.

[69nites]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

When you ship with a hardshell case, do you have to use other packing material? Do you wrap the case in bubble wrap before it goes in the box?

I normally just double box and pack to fit

[Marcus Willett]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I went to USPS to calculate shipping on a 11lb package with the following dimensions:

52x17x7 = $48.10

51x21x11 = $127.00

I tried your numbers at DHL and guess what? Shipping starts @ $32 and they will pick it up for another $5. I haven't used UPS in years; your story is exactly why.

[69nites]

Originally Posted by Marcus Willett

I tried your numbers at DHL and guess what? Shipping starts @ $32 and they will pick it up for another $5. I haven't used UPS in years; your story is exactly why.

actually it's the same shipping system that is responsible for these prices that is responsible for the fact that UPS is less likely to break your package than any other shipper.

DHL/USPS are statistically the worst.

[Marcus Willett]

Originally Posted by 69nites

actually it's the same shipping system that is responsible for these prices that is responsible for the fact that UPS is less likely to break your package than any other shipper.

DHL/USPS are statistically the worst.

I'd like to see where you get those stats. I've used DHL many times and have never had a problem. I cannot say the same for UPS...they damaged packages I sent more than once and it took months to get anything out of them.

[69nites]

Originally Posted by Marcus Willett

I'd like to see where you get those stats. I've used DHL many times and have never had a problem. I cannot say the same for UPS...they damaged packages I sent more than once and it took months to get anything out of them.

I was in the industry for a few years my stats go up to 07

your personal experience is relatively limited.

damage claims are actually the weak point of ups they don't like to pay them.

it's the bulk package system that makes the cost of shipping higher.

[Marcus Willett]

Originally Posted by 69nites

I was in the industry for a few years my stats go up to 07

your personal experience is relatively limited.

True enough, but unless you can back up what you say with some objective data; it's just a claim you're making and no more valid than my personal experience. Anyone can claim anything. I know many people here in "the industry" (ie, shipping instruments) that have had negative experiences with UPS.

[neurotictim]

I know from my own personal experience that DHL left me unsatisfied twice. That was enough for me. The first time, it was a couple of DVDs I bought online, which were left in the rain outside my house. No bagging, nothing to keep the water from soaking through and ruining the DVDs. The second time it was car parts, and there was a hole in the box. I contacted the seller, and was assured it didn't leave the shipper's house that way, but DHL swore that it was damaged when they got it.

USPS is too costly, as is UPS. IME, FedEx is the only way to go.

USPS charged me over $160 to ship a GWB35 I sold here to ship to Oz. I should have done my research first, but I ate the cost. Won't do that again.

[Marcus Willett]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

I know from my own personal experience that DHL left me unsatisfied twice. That was enough for me. The first time, it was a couple of DVDs I bought online, which were left in the rain outside my house. No bagging, nothing to keep the water from soaking through and ruining the DVDs.

Yeah, it's weird. That's one of the things that happened to me with UPS...several times in fact. For some reason, around here anyway UPS never gets a signature. I've been sitting in my living room, and seen the driver walk up, drop off a box at my door and walk away. Guitars too. I would have no way of knowing it ever arrived it someone just walked by and took it. I've come home to find basses sitting there in a box at my door in plain sight.

Don't get me wrong, I don't work for DHL; I'm just saying my experience with them has been good and UPS not. I'm sure others have varying stories with all carriers. It's always a crapshoot, so I get the insurance.

[69nites]

Originally Posted by Marcus Willett

True enough, but unless you can back up what you say with some objective data; it's just a claim you're making and no more valid than my personal experience. Anyone can claim anything. I know many people here in "the industry" (ie, shipping instruments) that have had negative experiences with UPS.

the industry I was refering to was the shipping industry

I can't back anything up because they were internal documents.