Cost to ship a bass nowadays?

[Snakeman1066]

just shipped 4 of them across the country...(I always double box) all four were between $63.00 and $80.00 (and That was with the Reverb Discount) each ...USPS with insurance and USPS was far cheaper than either Fed-Ex or UPS

 

[Systolic]

A bass in a gigbag with an overall box length of at or under 50", I can get shipped via USPS for just under $40. I buy/sell/trade a LOT of basses.

 

[DWBass]

Wow. I haven't shipped a bass in years but it never cost me more than $40 using FedEx ground. I have an account. I pack my own box and print out my labels. I'm sure there is a discount by having an account.

 

[TheReceder]

Saw a post by

you may get a big break by popping the neck off / no case, that saves me $100+- to Hawaii

Never thought of removin the necks, I'm considering buying 2 inexpensive basses with bolt on necks,both of them only have gig bags.

I've got a relative that will ship them. I could wrap the 2 bodies in one box, and do the same with the necks in the other.

Any thoughts? Not intending to hijack the thread. But this does seem like it could be a way to save some cash.

 

[Bass V]

Saw a post by
Never thought of removin the necks, I'm considering buying 2 inexpensive basses with bolt on necks,both of them only have gig bags.
I've got a relative that will ship them. I could wrap the 2 bodies in one box, and do the same with the necks in the other.
Any thoughts? Not intending to hijack the thread. But this does seem like it could be a way to save some cash.

it of course comes down to weight and size, doubling all that would take it into uncharted territory for me but I can only imagine you're looking at $200 no matter what now that shipping costs have gone thru the roof. the bulk of the soft cases will certainly add to the issues yet help in keeping them from harm but without all the safety wrap etc. if your relative is great at this kind of creative packing it would be handy, if not it could become messy.

 

[AdamR]

The last 2 basses I shipped. Bolt on necks removed cost me around $80. That was earlier this year. Neck on, in a case you are looking at around $100. Once you et to certain size box they go by "dimension weight"

 

[redwingxix]

MM STINGRAY in ohsc double covered in heavy duty cardboard boxes from ann arbor to GA was $45, but that with a commercial account. If you have the option to do it from your work then you can save a lot of money.

 

[Mike neph]

I just (regretfully) shipped from a UPS store. Showed up with no box just the bass in its case. $214 washingtons to ship from MI to IL with the insurance amd packing materials. Lesson learned, pack it yourself and print your own label or pay crazy prices.

 

[Jim C]

Thanks boys; I'm getting a commercial account.
Is Fed Ex preffered over UPS?
A big giant box just arrived from Reverb (same owner as Chicago Music Exchange) from UPS.
Of course I have a rehearsal tonight...

 

[BluesWalker]

Thanks for this post as I am in the process of listing some basses for sale.
Didn't it used to be about $40- 50 to ship a Fender in a case?

Yes, many years ago. Back in 2000 it cost me $35 to ship via UPS a Fender P bass with hard case.

 

[BluesWalker]

Thanks boys; I'm getting a commercial account.
Is Fed Ex preffered over UPS?
A big giant box just arrived from Reverb (same owner as Chicago Music Exchange) from UPS.
Of course I have a rehearsal tonight...

I prefer FedEx.

 

[BluesWalker]

I just (regretfully) shipped from a UPS store. Showed up with no box just the bass in its case. $214 washingtons to ship from MI to IL with the insurance amd packing materials. Lesson learned, pack it yourself and print your own label or pay crazy prices.

The UPS stores play on the convenience factor justifying an upcharge. They will not insure it if they do not pack it, further driving up the price. It is cheaper to go to a UPS depot but they are usually in inconvenient areas.

 

[cataract]

I’ve always just brought the instrument in its case or bag to FedEx and had them pack & ship— they gouge the price of “guitar boxes” (sold there for around $20) but if you can snag your own box elsewhere, it’ll be that much cheaper.
I think $45-60 is the average I’ve paid for FedEx ground. Honestly, it’s not hard to state in your ad “cost Plus Shipping” if you’re not willing to lose profit immediately when your bass sells. I’ve always factored shipping into the selling price.

 

[BobKos]

Just bought a bass off CL in FL. It was a no ship deal, but the seller was willing to carry the bass in HSC to a Fedex Kinkos for me. They packed it and shipped it on my account for $80. Also did the same about a year ago from WA State to MI for $100. Average ship for a bass for me anymore is $60 or $70 but I am in the middle of the country. The Rockies and west are a HUGE increase in price. I was selling 6 lb boxes on ebay, Shipping to anywhere just about was $7 to $14. Rockies & west was $25.

 

[Mechanical]

I prefer FedEx.

Anyone who ships anything should prefer FedEx. The company switched to UPS...big mistake.

 

[InhumanResource]

If you've shipped a bass CONUS lately, how much did it cost to ship it?

Thanks!

Cost me about 100 from Philly to Washington State. I think it was a little cheaper in a more compact package (Hard shell case).

 

[DWBass]

I use and prefer FedEx ground. It'll get to its designation at the same time but cheaper.

 

[twinjet]

How much did it cost you to ship a fully assembled bass lately?

$33 with a FedEx discount of 75% off. Pretty nifty. Once to Wisconsin. Maybe $38 to Indiana.

 

[40Hz]

I only use Fedex Ground these days.

Last bass I shipped was around $89 a year ago. The quote I got last time I asked Fedex (about a month ago) was $97 for shipping the same weight/dimensions to the same destination from the same Fedex location. That’s almost a 10% bump. So prices do appear to be going up.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

FedEx is the preferred shipper for most folks.

USPS can be cheaper, but I no experience with them on guitars unfortunately.

UPS is the red headed stepchild of shipping.