Does shipping a bass cost this much?

[Lichtaffen]

You are getting ripped. Like a few others said it should only be about $30-40. I shipped a Jazz bass in a hard case with extra padding from Rhode Island to Seattle and insured it for $2000 and it cost me about $80 for ground service. A hard case weighs much more than the SKB type cases that most basses come with now.

For those prices, you could buy another bass.

 

[Tone Meister]

For just the shipping that is a ripoff. It is about what it would cost if you take the bass to a UPS Store and pay them for the box, packing materials, and labor for packing the bass. The shipping alone would be more like $40.

Avoid the UPS Store like the plague!! It just took me 4 months to get an insurance claim resolved, and we were NOT reimbursed for any shipping costs to get the amp back to the factory for a repair, about a $250 round trip for a 73 lb. package with $2900 insurance.

Pack it yourself or have them pack it, but I strongly suggest you avoid the UPS Store.

 

[bluesrx]

I use Kinko's and it's always the same as what I figured out at FedEx.com They do not mark up the price. Now you might get some sort of discount if you open an account. Also opening an account and printing the label at home allows you to enter your own weight and dimensions. You could put in whatever you want... of course, I believe in karma..so I would never do that.

 

[livinglow]

Unless they're having the shipping co. pack it , they're getting you good. I just shipped a very heavy 210 cab (about 70ish lbs.) from Florida to Seattle and it only ran me about $70, that was w/$400 for insurance too!

 

[stflbn]

I have access to corporate UPS shipping rates, but when I ship a 25 lb bass box that I packaged myself with $1000ish insurance it's never more than $30. Usually more like $20.

They must be really soaking you for packaging and insurance.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Be sure to go to an authorized UPS Store or Kinko's-FedEx type place, not a "Post offices Box USA" type place. Some of those places charge like DOUBLE the price you would get from UPS or FedEx directly.

Also, you can get a good estimate of costs using UPS's on-line shipment calculator:
Link Removed

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

$264.00 (1 day) GROUND
$232.73 (2 day)
$162.53 (3 day)
$103.86 (5 day)

this is for an Ibanez BTB. From what I understand ibanez builds relatively light-weight basses. Btw this is from Southern California to New Orleans. I just can't justify this price...so tell me what you guys think? is this guy ripping me off or is this about right?

I'm in NY.

I've shipped a Gibson Ripper to Arizona via Fed Ex, standard ground, insured, for about $67.00

I've shipped a Rickenbacker to Chicago via Fed Ex, standard ground, insured, for about $37.00

If the aforementioned weren't insured it would've been less expensive. If I remember correctly, insurance is about $0.90 per every one hundred dollars you claim the instrument is worth.

Yea, you're being over charged.

 

[Coop Soup]

$264.00 (1 day) GROUND
$232.73 (2 day)
$162.53 (3 day)
$103.86 (5 day)

this is for an Ibanez BTB. From what I understand ibanez builds relatively light-weight basses. Btw this is from Southern California to New Orleans. I just can't justify this price...so tell me what you guys think? is this guy ripping me off or is this about right?

Just a few things...

Weight isn't the only factor in shipping. UPS or FedEx also looks at the dimensions of the package. They will go with what ever is higher. So a large package with low weight will use the dim weight while a small package with large weight will use the actual weight. There are also upcharges for residential delivery, but those are fairly nominal.

With that said, some places charge a substantial "handling charge" to ship. The prices you listed seem very high (as others have mentioned). Also standard ground service should only be a 4 day trip from Southern California to NO. I figured the dim weight to be about 35lbs (48x20x6 shipping box). To calculate dim weight multiply the dimensions of the box and divide by 166. UPS spit me out a quote of $41 for standard ground shipping to a residential address. Just an FYI.

Edit: adding a value of $1000 adds about $9 to the shipment total.

 

[SteveC]

I ship in the ConUS for no more than $25. You are getting ripped off BIG TIME!

 

[MNAirHead]

I commonly send stuff in just the hardshell case (yes they get knicked) I figure $30 alone for this..

Last one I had pro boxed was $60 for the packaging alone.

This gets you to $90.. if he hires some help.. figure another $20 or so.

Tim

 

[amimbari]

I just had to cancel a shipment from PA to AZ because USPS tried to hook me with a 80.00 surcharge for an oversized box which would have brought the total to over 100.00 ( 2 inches too tall ), so I said UPS here I come, and did the shipment for 41.34. I have my own account so there is no fees at a Kinko's or one of those UPS/FEDEX drop-off places....

 

[Tumeni Notes]

The 3-5 day UPS rates might be close; not sure on the 1-2 day delivery. I have shipped many basses through eBay from Dallas, TX to the east and west coasts and it usually costs me around $60.00-$70.00.

However, these costs also include
Shipping box: $12-$15.00
Packing service: $10.00
Insurance: Depends on value
Request for signed delivery receipt: around $2.00

So, if you doubled the freight (southern CA to New Orleans) than the 3-5 days looks right (assuming it includes the above adders).

I have a good relationship with the local UPS shipping office (independent owners), so I use them for most of my shipments. However, I think that FedEx would be cheaper compared to UPS. I will never ship a bass USPS.

P.S. I have a couple of customers make their own arrangements with Federal Express. Thus, I simply print out the label and drop it off at the local FedEx office. I would recommend you do that.

P.P.S. I have been very fortunate that all of my shipments have been received without damage. Although it costs more, I always have the UPS office do the packing because if there is shipment damage, your claim should go through quickly. The problem most people have with the UPS claims is that they do their own packing and thus, the UPS claims office has to determine if it was packed correctly.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I just shipped a Yamaha RBX375 from North Carolina to Washington State for $25.75 (insured for $650) using the postal service. Granted I did have my own box and packed it myself, but hey ...

That's the difference, you packed it yourself. I usually take basses to UPS since there are a few stores around here including a large processing center (that and I didn't think the USPS would ship a bass). Their insurance will rarely cover things they don't see and verify as properly packaged, and I don't trust their handling to not properly insure something I'm shipping. They charge $60 right off the top to pack it. I've shipped 4 or 5 basses this way, and hard case or soft, it almost always comes out to about $100 for standard ground service, packing, and insurance.

 

[Holmann]

I've never paid more than 50 with UPS to a domestic address, printed online & picked up from my shop. The post office is also a good deal- TBer Datkari just sent me a Reverend Rumblefish priority mail for 65 bucks.........from an air force base in Germany. In 5 days.

The thing to remember is that any retail location is selling a service- they will mark up the rates, because that's how retailers get paid. Guitar Center buys basses for less than they sell them for, Shipping stores buy shipping services for less than they sell them for.

 

[bobunit]

As mentioned in a previous post, both UPS and FedEx factor in dimensional weight. Per UPS: "Each item should be surrounded by at least two inches (5.08 cm) of cushioning and be placed at least two inches (5.08 cm) away from the walls of the box." Considering most bass guitar cases are borderline OS2, adding the additional girth will push the box into the next dimensional weight category. So what was once billed at a 25-30 lb. weight is now billed at a 70 lb weight. Additional large package surcharge (90lb, I think) and handling may apply. If you have the UPS store box your stuff, be aware that they will most likely package it so that it falls into the next dimensional weight category. Oh and don't forget the petroleum jelly.... Ouch!