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Save Shipping costs? Taking off neck?
- Thread starter bassrique
- Start date
I did this a while back and made the box as small as I could and it was still almost 100 bucks to ship UPS Ground from San Antonio to Newport News VA.
My only experience with this was a bass I was going to take apart to paint anyway. Buyer offered to cut shipping in 1/2 if I would accept it that way. So it worked for me.
Most freight carriers charge based on what they call "dimensional weight" ...which means that a 10lb package that's 20" x 20" x 10" will be cheaper to ship than a 10lb package that's 20" x 50" x 5".
Here in the UK it's not worth the time or effort.
Shipping a bass 600 miles is £17, that's 15Kg in a parcel measuring 132cm x 40cm x 15cm; hard case or factory cardboard box dimensions.
It's £9 if I ship with the neck off and I've heaps more packing to do; neck and body wrapped separate, strings coiled and bagged, neck plate/screws etc bagged.
Another consideration is insurance. Don't know what it's like in the US but hidden in the UK t&c's is a wee clause saying no cover for musical instruments unless shipped in hard cases.
I’ve done it before. It does save you money. I also think it’s safer because a smaller box handles better.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I ship the whole bass and make that clear - anyone shipping a bass disassembled should make that clear to the buyer/receiver. I personally could (and have) re-assembled a disassembled bass but many people never disassemble their bass and receiving it disassembled could be a deal breaker or create issues. I don't want any receiver issues when I sell/ship a bass, and someone having to assemble it on the other end could create issues out of my control. It should arrive "as-is" being well packed/boxed. Arriving in a HSC is always the safest way to ship, but also needs to be well padded/packed for expected rough handling. Both FedEx & UPS have damaged very well packed basses in HSC's that I've shipped. I was eventually reimbursed, (always insured) but only after intensive persistence. I always feel lucky when a bass arrives in good shape - they really try hard to damage them.
I found out through another thread that you can get shipping way cheaper through PirateShip.com. I haven't actually used it yet, but I intend to if I ever find a reason to sell a bass.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,600
- 222,016
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
My first concern with shipping a bass is the shippers insurance. If they stand behind their carriers responsibility - I continue to use them. I do not use FedEx for that reason. Regardless of how cheap to ship - a damaged bass negates any savings.
Actually, with UPS or Fedex, they default to "dimensional weight" no matter what the actual weight is.
I just estimated a bass box (50x20x8) with the weight being 15 lbs (bass, no case) and it defaulted the weight to 49 lbs.
So even the same sized box, with a case, 30 lbs, is gonna be the same default to 49 and the same cost.
By comparison, if you reduce the length by taking off the neck (box at 36x20x8, 15 lbs), it's still calculating a dimensional weight (35 lbs though this time) and is much less money:
That's almost $50 less for removing the neck, via UPS, insured for the same amount.
You can easily go on any of these sites and get estimates if needed, with more accurate details, I was just winging it on this with sizes and shipping from here to Beverly Hills, 90210 because I could remember that zip code easily.
Pirateship rules, too. I've had great luck using them and shipping costs are way down. I've never made a claim for insurance, so I'd have to default to others on that, but it's my name on the ticket, so I'm assuming if I have a problem, it's legit. The tag doesn't say "pirateship" or anything.
Hope this helps.
I shipped an Alembic through Pirateship a few years back. WV to CA with insurance for about $130. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.
Depends on the bass.
I had a Squier shipped with the neck removed. no problem. (No case or gig bag.)
Diminishing returns on a more expensive bass.
Just use Pirateship.com. It's free to use - just create an account.
The great feature there is you can just input various dimensions and weight and get real answers to all your questions.
WI to PHX
35lbs
54x20x7
$58.00 (plus any additional insurance you want to add - up to $5,000 limit on Pirateship)
I had a Squier shipped with the neck removed. no problem. (No case or gig bag.)
Diminishing returns on a more expensive bass.
Just use Pirateship.com. It's free to use - just create an account.
The great feature there is you can just input various dimensions and weight and get real answers to all your questions.
WI to PHX
35lbs
54x20x7
$58.00 (plus any additional insurance you want to add - up to $5,000 limit on Pirateship)
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Who does PrivateShip use? They have their own logistics in place in the continental US from A to Z?
Do they come pick it up or do you drop it off somewhere?
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
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- I suck, but nobody really notices
Pirateship uses UPS or USPS.
It shows you all the options & rates once you input the package info. (I use USPS for smaller packages).
Just look up your local UPS drop off locations in your area. Doesn't have to be a UPS STORE...
I live in a town of 10,000, and the local Ace is an authorized shipping location.
They (Ace) don't provide any other service - just drop off your package by 2:00 with UPS Label attached (printed from Priateship)
I think there's an option to pay for pickup if need be.
It shows you all the options & rates once you input the package info. (I use USPS for smaller packages).
Just look up your local UPS drop off locations in your area. Doesn't have to be a UPS STORE...
I live in a town of 10,000, and the local Ace is an authorized shipping location.
They (Ace) don't provide any other service - just drop off your package by 2:00 with UPS Label attached (printed from Priateship)
I think there's an option to pay for pickup if need be.
This query is me thinking about receiving instruments not shipping although I wouldn't rule that out. I've taken the neck off instruments to get them on the plane with me (carry-on) easily.
