• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cheapest way to ship a large amp?

#42
agedhorse said:
Bubble wrap is not stout enough for a tube amp, no way. Plank foam (we use a foam in place system) or something like that would be suitable. Bubble wrap would go "splat" on the first tumble. Peanuts are no longer an acceptable packaging medium either.

Shipping damage is usually preventable.
Click to expand...
Have to agree with you, but 3' x 3' is way over the top.
Class D amps sure seem like a great idea after reading this thread!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al Kraft and BadExample
#43
I have no affiliation with this site, but for future reference I recommend using shipgooder.com : It compares shipping cost between courrier companies, and it can get you an additional discount.

Just a few weeks ago I sold a cab through the TB classifieds and had to ship it from Montreal all the way over to Washington state (18'' x 18'' x 18'' box, 40-ish lbs). It found me a rate of about 100$ CAD, which was 40$ cheaper than what I was able to find on my own.

Again, no affiliation, just thought I'd share since it worked great for me.
 
#44
agedhorse said:
Happens to us down here as well, say how do they calculate customs charges on moose sausage anyway? ;)
Click to expand...
:eyebrow: Ok stop with the defamatory stereotypes bud. Hardly anyone eats moose sausage up here. Deer sausage is another matter. YEESH.

Moose is made into roasts and steaks. :beaver:

Stay away from fine print Fedex post delivery, bill in the mail entrapment. The cube on your package is insane. Get it packed properly by a pro custom packing service for like $25 and go with the mail service. You can look up packer shipper companies and arrange it and have the seller drop it off to them.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
#45
Just wanted to add that you can buy a 70-quart cooler for around $50 that would hold a pretty large amp head and would provide very good protection. I'd use empty soda bottles of various sizes with the top screwed on to line the inside of the cooler to cushion the amp head.
 
#46
Appropriate foam materials are available from shipping supply houses. Same stuff used in road cases for consoles.
 
#48
gln1955 said:
We should have just taken over Canada a couple hundred years ago and we wouldn't have this problem. ;)
Click to expand...

Well, glad you didn't.

OP, guess you now have a lot of options. I don't know where you are located exactly, but I did order some heavy amp from the States in the past (Orange, Rivera, Sound City...) and had them well packed on a skid and drop at a local business in Maine. I live 30 minutes from Maine borders so I can save a few $ by clearing goods myself.
 
#50
DiabolusInMusic said:
Ship with USPS/Canada Post. It will be a higher cost up front but it will be much less in the end. You are limited to your insurance value, however, so the seller may refuse to use this method. Bear in mind that any courier will add significant upcharges to your shipment just for bringing it across the border. Using Canada Post you will still expect taxes but it will only be about 10% of the item's value, there will be no additional charges.

Can we ask what you bought? I'm guessing an SVT.
Click to expand...

+1 on this. I bought an amp head from Poland two years ago, and USPS was $100 to ship. FedEx wanted $900. USPS is networked with postal systems all over the globe. My head showed up in great condition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiabolusInMusic
#54
gln1955 said:
We should have just taken over Canada a couple hundred years ago and we wouldn't have this problem. ;)
Click to expand...


Diamond_Dave said:
We tried in 1812 and it didn't work out. And since then, there's been the NHL and Canadian whiskey and maple syrup and Rush and stuff, so there's been good reason to stay friends. :D
Click to expand...

Friends will do perfectly. We wouldn’t be able to chase you back across the St Lawrence a second time, we must remain friends. ‘Cause, sorry, there’s not many of us here that would welcome joining up, we’ve too much cool social medical care to lose. Not to mention our future queen: ho-o-tty. And dont want the NSA & CIA. Inland Immigration checkpoints impeding highway traffic . Oh oh I best digress. :smug:
 
Last edited:
#55
96tbird said:
Friends will do perfectly. We wouldn’t be able to chase you back across the St Lawrence a second time, we must remain friends. ‘Cause, sorry, there’s not many of us here that would welcome joining up, we’ve too much cool social medical care to lose. Not to mention our future queen: ho-o-tty. And dont want the NSA & CIA. Inland Immigration checkpoints impeding highway traffic . Oh oh I best digress. :smug:
Click to expand...

Yeah, yeah, yeah... :roflmao:

Hey, I love being an American, and everything that comes with it--the good, the bad, and the ugly. And there's plenty of bad and ugly, I know that.

I do root for Canada in the Olympics when you're not playing us in hockey. :cool:

Maybe we can come together and figure out how to ship a box over an imaginary line for a reasonable price! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: devnulljp and 96tbird
#57
superheavyfunk said:
EVERY SINGLE TIME someone has used FedEX or UPS to ship me a pedal (usually less than 1kg), I've been sent a bill for $50-$60 after the fact. They claim that it's Customs that charges this fee, yet every time I've used USPS/CanadaPost and I've had customs charge me taxes, it's never cost more than $22-$26.

I can't imagine what they'd demand for shipping a 100lb amp! I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up with a $300-$500 bill in the end.
Click to expand...
Yup!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back