• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Shipping a bass with no proper box, any suggestions?

#21
If he's happy to pay for shipping then surely he's happy for for you to deliver by hand, probably cost less in fuel than shipping costs.


I bought a Variax recently on Ebay, it turned up with one thin layer of bubble wrap over it and a single, flat layer of cardboard taped to either side of it, the cardboard didn't even meet up at the top or bottom :eek:.
This was sent from a shop and the listing stated "This will be packed carefully and will be shipped in a new guitar shipping box".
Amazingly there was no damage.
 
#23
I've had people ship basses to me in a hard case with no box. I cringe every time I think about it. I wouldn't recommend it.

If the buyer is willing to pay for it, go to a UPS store and have them box it up for you. Or you could buy a few large boxes from Staples and "cut and paste" one together that will fit the bass.
 
#24
I had to ship a bass to have some work done on it.

The luthier recommended I just use the hard case.

He said to tape it so the shipping tape goes over the latches,
take it to FedEx and have them put FRAGILE stickers on it.

He said the FedEx guys recognize it as a musical instrument and handle it with care.

No problem in either direction.
 
#25
ChuckTrucks said:
+10!

This is what I was going to recommend.

One time I did actually receive a guitar in a case with NO box that the guy had wrapped in newspaper. I couldnt stop laughing it was just so damn stupid. There were no damage or scuffs surprisingly.
Click to expand...

Someone (EBay) once shipped me a $1500 bass in a thin gig bag set inside a loose, plain guitar box. Brilliant.
 
#26
First - you can save a bundle driving it 50 miles over shipping it. Second - a shipper (local Mailbox, wrapping, shipping, Fedex, UPS storefront) can provide a box and packing for $10-15. For more expensive instruments, this is necessary for your own protection. As amazing as the boneheaded stories in this thread (about inadequate packing) sound, damage done in transit typically becomes the seller's problem. None of the carriers will insure items that were not professionally packed anyway.
 
#28
bassman10096 said:
First - you can save a bundle driving it 50 miles over shipping it. Second - a shipper (local Mailbox, wrapping, shipping, Fedex, UPS storefront) can provide a box and packing for $10-15. For more expensive instruments, this is necessary for your own protection. As amazing as the boneheaded stories in this thread (about inadequate packing) sound, damage done in transit typically becomes the seller's problem. None of the carriers will insure items that were not professionally packed anyway.
Click to expand...


I tried this in my town, and they didn't have boxes big enough for the bass. But, I also live in a town with less than 6000 people. We are very lucky to even have a UPS. It must might be the size is the reason they don't carry those big boxes.
 
#29
I might have missed it, but I dont see the value or quality of the bass that we are talking about here ...

... with that said, the amazing part to me, is that the buyer didn't drive the 50 miles to check it out in person, and then take it with him ... its about $20 in gas, and you cant ship it for that ... and, no surprises upon arrival !! ... JMHO
 
#33
take it to a UPS store, have them box it up...if they box it it's guaranteed...
I've had them box up several guitars & have never had a problem...
you take the neck off & ship it the cat might not have any idea about setting a bass up...pain in the ass for the buyer...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back