Just getting a feel of others opinions. Seems like we're still buying, selling, as well as some trading. But in a few cases I've experienced here lately on the site. Bassist are still willing to trade or sell. But it's been mainly local pickup sale or trade, or trader or seller doesn't want to ship even in the case when the person that's interested in the item is willing to cover shipping. 
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'Has Shipping Cost Gotten That Outrageous'
- Thread starter mustBmtd
- Start date
Yes. It's gotten outrageous. I've stopped buying and selling because of it. Last time I sold a 34" bass it cost me $210 insured. Last any bass I sold was a short scale with the neck off...still $120!
Screw that.
Screw that.
Agreed. I provided shipping quotes for a short scale bass, shipped from TX to WA: $163.
Was not to the potential buyers’ liking and I lost a sale. Plus, that did not include the shipping box/materials (I have to purchase them, when the bass sells.
It’s not the price of the bass; it seems to be the shipping costs scaring people off.
Of course, they could have just been ‘tire kicking’, but I still feel the shipping cost was the issue…
Was not to the potential buyers’ liking and I lost a sale. Plus, that did not include the shipping box/materials (I have to purchase them, when the bass sells.
It’s not the price of the bass; it seems to be the shipping costs scaring people off.
Of course, they could have just been ‘tire kicking’, but I still feel the shipping cost was the issue…
In addition to the noticeably increased cost of shipping there is always the danger of your instrument being jacked up by careless, inept, or disgruntled employees. Or stolen off your porch after delivery. I have no basses for sale but if I did it would be a local face-to-face sale only. And get off my lawn!
M. M.
M. M.
It's strange that some sellers can send to Canada from Europe for around $100.00, but some quote shipping from the US at over $400.00.
Yea, I bit the bullet last month and bought a must have, it's that time in my life bass and was shocked to pay $158.00 for shipping. Nuts.
A kings ransom I’m sure.
Shipping killed just about all of my desire to sell stuff. Fortunately, my GAS is no longer what it was.
Yep I will buy another bass one day, I'm sure. But it will either be through GC so I can return to my local brick and mortar store if i dont bond. Or it will be my first and last custom, once I absolutely know what I want.
Buy from GC I just bought a used bass, shipping was $21.00. Beauty is that I can take it back if not as described.
DHL has a maximum dimension of 120cm and the standard ULine shipping box is 152cm. So you would have to remove the neck using them.
Free overnight shipping made me jump at a deal recently. I knew it was easily at least a $350 discount.
Selling used gear locally is what I have done on my last 7 items.
It’s just easier and less hassle that way.
Selling used gear locally is what I have done on my last 7 items.
It’s just easier and less hassle that way.
If I'm looking at buying a bass and the seller wants the buyer to pay all shipping costs, I'm out. When it cost roughly $100 to ship a bass, shipping was almost always included in the selling price. Now that it's $200-ish, sellers want the buyer to pay all shipping costs. If you want to split shipping, we can talk. And you want Family and Friends? You just put your price $200 closer to a new bass that would have a warranty.
@RichSnyder
The bass that I have purchased is a neck thru neck,
So removing the neck is not possible.
Plus I have had made a custom hardcase to fit the bass. So the shipping would have to include the hardcase with the bass inside of it.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I make and sell vintage baseball bats in Connecticut. About 5 years ago, shipping to California via priority mail was about $21.00. About 2 years ago it was $25. Now it's over $40.
I have a bass to sell but have been reluctant to post an ad because of all I’ve been reading about on TB about shipping costs lately. I guess I’ll end up up posting an ad and saying local sale only and will make that my M.O. for the foreseeable future.
Thankfully my bass GAS is now quite low since my the last one I bought. I’m quite happy with my collection and only have a few very specific basses that could tempt me right now.
Thankfully my bass GAS is now quite low since my the last one I bought. I’m quite happy with my collection and only have a few very specific basses that could tempt me right now.
Yeah, it's gotten a bit wild. I don't know how much is just perceived because of inflation, but it's a lot. I used to send my instruments to my brother (who is my tech more or less) on a routine basis for maintenance and I don't really do that anymore, sometimes I'll take one when I go to visit him, or if I'm buying an instrument I'll have it shipped to him directly for setup/any mods and then he will ship it to me so I do have to eat it once.
If you’re a private seller the shipping rates are not discounted compared to a corporate account with considerable volume. The gas prices have really impacted the high shipping cost..it just gets passed along to us..
Hopefully if and when gas prices drop so will the shipping costs… a guy can dream.
Hopefully if and when gas prices drop so will the shipping costs… a guy can dream.
