Bass shipping question... FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS??? Who are you using these days?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by tb-player, Aug 31, 2020.

  1. UPS

    42 vote(s)
    42.9%
  2. FedEx

    41 vote(s)
    41.8%
  3. DHL

    2 vote(s)
    2.0%
  4. USPS

    15 vote(s)
    15.3%
  5. Carrots

    8 vote(s)
    8.2%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. tb-player

    tb-player Sarcasm intended... always! Supporting Member

    Mar 6, 2019
    Maryland
    I've always used UPS for shipping until last year when FedEx added a discount to my account. So I started using them.

    Recently, it seems every time I use FedEx, the shipment takes an additional day or two, no matter if I'm sending or receiving. It's frustrating to follow the tracking info, knowing that a bass or guitar I'm buying or selling is just sitting in a hot tractor trailer, waiting for someone to unload, so it can be delivered.

    So I've gone back to UPS, and so far, they never have those kinds of issues.

    Curious to hear the recent experience of others... wondering if it's just my local depot or across the fruited plain.
     
  2. bass12

    bass12 Have You Met Grace Jones?

    Jun 8, 2008
    Montreal, Canada
    FedEx. UPS might be okay for shipping within borders but their brokerage fees are ridiculous so I avoid them whenever shipping internationally.
     
  3. JKos

    JKos

    Oct 26, 2010
    Surprise, AZ
    Not a joke at all. If you're not using shipbikes, you are paying way too much. Shipbikes uses FedEx. —>>I found a source to ship basses cheaply!<<—
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2020
    nixdad, Ruknrole, dwizum and 10 others like this.
  4. I bought a bass on the 15 of july
    USA to Canada ship with usps and canada post... took 31 days before the custom approved it for clearance... had some time in my bank so took a day off the day it was supposed to be delivered and guess what... showed up the next day.... my longest wait ever for anything us to can... and quite frustrating to look at the tracking and seeing that nothing has moved.... when I called they said it could take up to 60 days to clear the customs due to the covid and there “new way” of working... so i’m quite mad at them. For the price that is payed they should get there act together....... on the other hand my car parts that came in with fedex came in at the right day..
     
    murphy likes this.
  5. 57pbass

    57pbass Supporting Member

    Aug 1, 2004
    Bayside, New York
    When I go to my local shop, they show me all the rates and I will decide there. It’s usually Fedex and depending on what I’m shipping..USPS. Rarely UPS.
     
  6. JKos

    JKos

    Oct 26, 2010
    Surprise, AZ
    Here's a quick aside... When you pay for shipping via UPS at a UPS Store, the store gets 50% of the shipping. When you drop off a prepaid package, they get like $5.
     
    Voyevoda and tb-player like this.
  7. tb-player

    tb-player Sarcasm intended... always! Supporting Member

    Mar 6, 2019
    Maryland
    nixdad and 1960jbass like this.
  8. tb-player

    tb-player Sarcasm intended... always! Supporting Member

    Mar 6, 2019
    Maryland
    Exactly! I quote everything online. Never use a local shop. On large ticket items, dumb Reverb forces you to pay $30 or more for their protection plan. So I typically looked at Paypal's reduced shipping and FedEx, with the discount they give me.
     
  9. 57pbass

    57pbass Supporting Member

    Aug 1, 2004
    Bayside, New York
    Thank you for that. That’s great to know. I will be using prepaid as much as I can.
    The shop I go to is a Mom/Pop independent store that I drive to. It’s not in my neighborhood but I like the people who run it so I drive a few additional miles to get there. There’s a UPS right down the road from my home. I only use them when I can’t to the other shop.
     
  10. 1960jbass

    1960jbass

    Mar 28, 2013
    Berwick, PA
    Use the shipbikes. I sent a combo amp and saved $25 compared to what UPS wanted.
     
    nixdad likes this.
  11. AudioTaper

    AudioTaper

    Sep 23, 2018
    What's the best bike for METAL!?

    I just bought a bass off of Facebook Marketplace, seller is shipping UPS. Fingers crossed it all goes well.

    Last year I bought a Warwick from Germany. Seller shipped it DHL/USPS and it took FOREVER (5 weeks?)
     
    Craig T Vector likes this.
  12. Hounddog409

    Hounddog409

    Oct 27, 2015
    ohio
    Haven't had an issue with UPS.

    Fedex around here are lying assbags. Haven't used the others much to say anything about them.
     
    Datsgor likes this.
  13. Thundar

    Thundar Supporting Member

    I have bought and sold about 7 basses in the last 3 months...amazingly all have been delivered either UPS or Fed Ex without any issues, and all have arrived very quickly...the longest was 5 days. I have also used the Ship-Bikes site, and its extremely easy and much cheaper.
     
  14. Volker Kirstein

    Volker Kirstein Blippy the Wonder Slug

    I only ship basses within the EU, and use DHL. I paid €17.95 to ship the last one.

    I've heard too many horror stories to even contemplate shipping a bass to USA.
     
  15. comatosedragon

    comatosedragon Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 12, 2014
    Rockingham VA {616}
    UPS.

    I am legally barred from using FedEx; and the USPS has left a sour taste in mouth as of late (my mother has been an RC for 30 years and passed on the Postmaster position more than twice).
     
    Zooberwerx likes this.
  16. AxtoOx

    AxtoOx

    Nov 12, 2005
    Duncan, Okla.
    UPS due to rural issues here.
     
  17. sludgetail

    sludgetail

    Feb 26, 2018
    Orange, CA
    ShipBikes 100% try out there shipping calculator right on their site; you get the label, slap it on your package and drop it off at your local shop... great savings, and coming from someone who is tired of paying $$$ for shipping. Recommend 100% and it’s no different, just a lot cheaper.
     
    nixdad and Thundar like this.
  18. gebass6

    gebass6 We're not all trying to play the same music. Supporting Member

    Most shipment receivers don't get a choice.