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Cost to ship a bass nowadays?
- Thread starter fourstringbliss
- Start date
Ground is usually around $100 give or take (UPS or FedEx). Depends on some variables like distance, if you have an account, etc.
Best to ship from home (computer) and drop off. USPS tends to be least expensive, but always worth checking all three options. eBay seller account can help discount above and beyond an individual account.
Know the dimensions and rules. A half inch over can add $40 to the cost. Bass shipping boxes tend to live right on the borderline from a pricing perspective. Insurance matters and can make a big difference too.
Know the dimensions and rules. A half inch over can add $40 to the cost. Bass shipping boxes tend to live right on the borderline from a pricing perspective. Insurance matters and can make a big difference too.
I noticed using Reverb, as a seller, the shipping rates are a good bit cheaper than just going to UPS or FedEx. You get that corporate rate or something from Reverb - really helps when shipping coast to coast.
And yes, size of the box matters, even an inch here or there, and also the insured value. Shipping can be as cheap as $30 for in state, compact bass in a gig bag, to over $100 for coast to coast for a large body bass.
I shipped one bass coast to coast recently through Reverb - box was a bit big, but needed. It cost over $75 insured. Insurance was $18 of that!
And yes, size of the box matters, even an inch here or there, and also the insured value. Shipping can be as cheap as $30 for in state, compact bass in a gig bag, to over $100 for coast to coast for a large body bass.
I shipped one bass coast to coast recently through Reverb - box was a bit big, but needed. It cost over $75 insured. Insurance was $18 of that!
I mean I guess if you sell a bass for 300 and agree to cover the shipping yourself then you would need to figure something else out. In that particular instance, USPS would have been cheaper but I was shipping across country, insured at $1500, and I was more concerned other things besides price. Its been a long time since I've dealt with low end instruments that way so I can't offer any advice on that front.
Typically it's been $75-$85 and I almost always use FedEx. The last bass I sold, the buyer requested it be sent USPS, but USPS wouldn't take it saying the box was too big.
I just sold an Ibanez SR300 bass with a padded gigbag, packed in a standard guitar box and shipped via UPS Ground for $25
If you get your own FedEx account, prices are much less. Many trade associations and professional groups have discounts, so look into that as well.
Those mail and shipping outlets that you see out there are independently owned and are free to mark up shippers standard rates as much as they want.
Regarding shipping insurance, there have been serious changes lately. FedEx for one, only insures vintage guitars up to $1000, even though you can elect to purchase more when you ship. Any claim for shipping damage with a vintage guitar is capped at $1000. Their definition of vintage? Twenty years or older.
I have a FedEx account, and last time I shipped a bass with insurance across the country it was around $65.
There is also a cost to the packaging. I’m a pack rat and have room to keep and store boxes and bubble wrap from previous purchases. If you have none, FedEx will use their box and wrap and package it for you for an additional $30. Buying bubble wrap at a store is prohibitively expensive and chasing down free/used guitar boxes can be hit-or-miss.
Those mail and shipping outlets that you see out there are independently owned and are free to mark up shippers standard rates as much as they want.
Regarding shipping insurance, there have been serious changes lately. FedEx for one, only insures vintage guitars up to $1000, even though you can elect to purchase more when you ship. Any claim for shipping damage with a vintage guitar is capped at $1000. Their definition of vintage? Twenty years or older.
I have a FedEx account, and last time I shipped a bass with insurance across the country it was around $65.
There is also a cost to the packaging. I’m a pack rat and have room to keep and store boxes and bubble wrap from previous purchases. If you have none, FedEx will use their box and wrap and package it for you for an additional $30. Buying bubble wrap at a store is prohibitively expensive and chasing down free/used guitar boxes can be hit-or-miss.
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over sized boxes will drive price up ..!! keep them as small as possible ..
when i ship a bass that's in a harder case , i'll trim the box down as much as possible ... tape , tape ,... and more tape .
they're still 50-100 bucks usually ... higher priced insurance ain't cheap ..!! i pack well enough that i feel fairly safe cutting back on the insured amount ..!?
when i ship a bass that's in a harder case , i'll trim the box down as much as possible ... tape , tape ,... and more tape .
they're still 50-100 bucks usually ... higher priced insurance ain't cheap ..!! i pack well enough that i feel fairly safe cutting back on the insured amount ..!?
