Pirate Ship Questions

[Jeff K]

I've always used either UPS or FedEx for shipping basses, but their pricing has gotten out of hand. I've been seeing a lot of love for Pirate Ship from some of you TB'ers. I have a couple questions:

1. Is it easy to set up an account?
2. When it's time to actually ship, where do you take it? (It's not like you can just take it to a UPS or FedEx store, right?)
3. How is their customer service?

Thanks to all who take the time to answer!

 

[Danny O Danny]

1. Very easy to setup an account via their website.
2. Pirate Ship acts as a broker for UPS and USPS. So you're buying a UPS or USPS shipping label through Pirate Ship. The process is that you input the source and destination addresses & the box size and weight & and extra features you want such as insurance, signature required for delivery, etc. on the website. The site then shows you the best rate but also allows you to compare other options. Pick the one you want, pay for it, and the site generates a shipping label. Download the label, print it out, tape it to the box, and then take the box to the appropriate shipper (UPS or USPS). Easy peasy.
3. I haven't had a need to contact their customer service.

 

[vickerekes]

Used it once for a heavy cab, good experience...

 

[57pbass]

Pirate Ship charges commercial shipping rates to those that don’t have access to them for substantial savings.
I drop off my package at either USPS OR UPS.
Their tracking is great.
Customer Service is top notch. I had to process a UPS insurance claim through them for a damaged cabinet and they were great.. added bonus is that their communications are in Pirate speak… Ahoy Mate. arrgh and so on..
HIGHLY RECOMMEND

 

[Jeff K]

Thank you all so much! Exactly what I was wondering about. I'm gonna' try them the next time I sell one.

 

[scuzzy]

I was nervous about it too. Only thing I use now. Easy, great prices.

 

[Low Class]

Pirate Ship is all I use anymore. Easy and cheap!

 

[rmayer]

I use Pirate Ship exclusively now. Small items I can drop at my local UPS Store, I shipped a bass last month and for a few dollars UPS picked up the package at my home.
Can’t get much easier than that.

 

[markjazzbassist]

very good experiences, insanely cheaper than Reverb shipping as well. Makes me think reverb is taking another cut of the shipping because it's half that price on Pirate.

 

[smtp4me]

1. Very easy to setup an account via their website.
2. Pirate Ship acts as a broker for UPS and USPS. So you're buying a UPS or USPS shipping label through Pirate Ship. The process is that you input the source and destination addresses & the box size and weight & and extra features you want such as insurance, signature required for delivery, etc. on the website. The site then shows you the best rate but also allows you to compare other options. Pick the one you want, pay for it, and the site generates a shipping label. Download the label, print it out, tape it to the box, and then take the box to the appropriate shipper (UPS or USPS). Easy peasy.
3. I haven't had a need to contact their customer service.

I've never used Pirate Ship, but I have to assume that they charge a fee for their services. As a result, you may get a lower shipping rate because they do the leg-work to find the best price, but you pay more in the end for that service.

 

[midichlorine]

I was a little hesitant because of your exact situation.
I needed more information so I just tried it with a pedal first.
Now it’s all I use.
Recently shipped overseas with it as well.
Got a pedal to Portugal for 35$ insured through ups

 

[57pbass]

I've never used Pirate Ship, but I have to assume that they charge a fee for their services. As a result, you may get a lower shipping rate because they do the leg-work to find the best price, but you pay more in the end for that service.

This is simply not correct. I’ve used them countless times and there are no hidden fees.
After you enter the data You pay for the shipping label that you see on their site..that’s it.
USPS and UPS are the only carriers they offer.

 

[roccobass]

I’ve used it twice while shipping a cabinet with no problems.

 

[retroXvertigo]

Pirate Ship rules.

 

[Matt O]

I’ll never use anything but Pirate Ship. Most recently shipped a double boxed heavily over packed P neck UPS 2 day air from MI to TX 36”x6”x8” 6lbs for $22. Had I shipped it from a UPS store, it probably would have been 100 bucks. There are zero hidden fees.

 

[Deleted member 409896]

This is simply not correct. I’ve used them countless times and there are no hidden fees.
After you enter the data You pay for the shipping label that you see on their site..that’s it.
USPS and UPS are the only carriers they offer.

Seconded. Been using PirateShip for close to 3 years. Have yet to have a single problem. I've easily saved hundreds of $ by now, compared to any other way to purchase shipping.

PirateShip appears to make their money by something like the following:

1) Contract with USPS and UPS for high-volume shipping over some period.

2) Resell this shipping service to customers, with some margin added.

3) Profit!

No hidden fees.

Granted, I haven't had a package get stolen or damaged in transit, so I haven't tested PS's claims process. But, I don't worry about it. With what I've saved vs. retail shipping rates, I am far ahead, regardless.

If you are shipping a high-value item, it may be worth paying the higher rate to ship directly with UPS/FedEx/whoever. Then they are on the hook and have to answer to you. For the sub-$100 stuff I'm typically dealing with, no way.

One further tip: sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, and you can get your outgoing USPS shipments picked up from your home, at no charge, during your regular mail delivery. I haven't had to physically visit a Post Office to send a package, for years.

I do have to drop off outgoing UPS packages at a UPS location. I will often pay a dollar or two more to send via USPS, to avoid this.

Having stuff picked up from home of course depends on your living situation. If you are in a condo or apartment, I'm not sure how that works. Townhome, duplex, single-family home etc., doorstep pickup may work for you.

 

[Low Main]

When I haven't shipped anything in a while, I get an email from Pirate Ship asking if any seagoing malady has befallen me.

"Arr ye fetched up on a patch o' sand with no way off, matey?"

"Is yer ship in irons in the Sargasso?"

"Are ye down in the bilge regrettin' all the grog?"

If the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away was being shot today, he'd be working for Pirate Ship, not FedEx, and there would be a mermaid.

 

[Relsom]

I'm a big fan of Pirate Ship...haven't used anything else in years. And their Customer Service is top notch... Arrrrr Matey!

The only problem I've had lately is trying to ship a 4x4x4 inch box. The minimum is 6x3x.25 inch as they claim it's USPS and UPS policy, not theirs, though the box was originally sent to me via USPS, so I don't get it. The Pirate Ship agent recommended I use the "Box In Bag" option to get around that.

 

[Deleted member 409896]

I'm a big fan of Pirate Ship...haven't used anything else in years. And their Customer Service is top notch... Arrrrr Matey!

The only problem I've had lately is trying to ship a 4x4x4 inch box. The minimum is 6x3x.25 inch as they claim it's USPS and UPS policy, not theirs, though the box was originally sent to me via USPS, so I don't get it. The Pirate Ship agent recommended I use the "Box In Bag" option to get around that.

So USPS and UPS don't want a cube that's "too small," but they are fine with a very lumpy envelope.

Makes perfect sense....to someone, I guess?

Also, explains some Amazon shipments I've received. They are kings of "tiny item rattling around inside a huge box."

 

[J-Bass RMR]

You're missing out if you're not using Pirateship!
I can't think of a reason you wouldn't unless you don't have access to a printer.

Any Authorized UPS provider must accept (ups) packages - even in our small town, our local Ace is a UPS "drop" location.
(they don't provide any other service other than scanning the package into the system. UPS Picks up daily by ~2:00)
we're fairly remote, so if I have a UPS delivery coming - our driver will take it (and UPS is very reliable for us) - Also - UPS "Schedule a Pickup option" is fairly inexpensive on Pirateship - I used the option once.

Otherwise, I'll often ship smaller packages via USPS and our rural carrier takes it.
I've never had an issue either way.

Pirate ship customer service is excellent & very responsive.
(and they recently went "above and beyond" for me with an undeliverable package)

The interface allows you to easily change dimensions and weight to see how it affects shipping cost.
This comes in handy - especially for larger or heavier packages. i.e. a bass - where weight really doesn't matter but an extra couple inches in height does....