Speaking of shipping guitars, you guy's shipped me a gretsch 5222 via ups. The guitar came to me in perfect shape in a gator soft case, inside a re-purpoused taylor acoustic box. Your extra efforts were much appreciated, thank you. On an aside, it was the first Chinese made guitar I've ever gotten and I couldn't be more impressed with the quality of this guitar and all of your efforts, thanks again.

You guys are so good together. Always fun and informative to watch.

If a local guitar shop were willing to help me ship a guitar or amp I would be happy to pay a reasonable fee for the help! That’s great advice!

Here's my happy tale. Bought three used guitars from GC in the past year, shipped to D/FW area from far and wide via UPS economy ground. Packing/shipping charge was $20-21 for each. Arrived at my front door in 2-3 days. Tracking was no problem. Delivery driver texted me from my front porch that my guitar was there. Never any damage in transit. Maybe this is not typical performance but it's been my pleasant experience and at this point I'd do it again without worry.

I use Canada Post, or UPS. The thing with UPS is to pack it yourself, get a label online then arrange pickup. They tell you to "bring it to us, we need to pack it for you to make sure it's protected.." that's BS. they charge huge fees to package something. I had a small Amp head and 1x12 cab, they wanted $440 just to package it, then $230 to ship it from Toronto to Winnipeg. I wrapped it myself, used Canada Post and it costed less than 100 including all materials and insurance.

Thx for making me laugh smile smirk and generally feel good as usual when I watch you two prattle on about everything and anything 😂🤣 Greetings from NZ 🤘🎸😎

UPS hands down. 50+ orders perfectly received & 12 recently shipped to customers w/o any problems.

I’ve had ups leave a les Paul sitting at my door when I lived at pretty shady apartment complex a couple years back that fortunately did not get stolen. I’ve also had ups deliver me another les Paul that looked like it’d been ran over by a forklift and yes… the headstock was broken off. Dealing with the insurance was a pain in the ass.

Thanks for the great videos guys!!

I've had great experiences shipping via UPSP and UPS, DHL has been good when coming from overseas. FedEx is good, but generally a bit more expensive. Thank goodness for Reverb's contract with UPS, the rates are great shipping out of Alaska. The better a guitar is packaged the better the odds of no damage. Every guitar I've shipped I document all the steps and message the buyers these photos. This gives the buyer confidence and also covers me a little more. That reminds me, I've got to get that USA Peavey EVH Wolfgang Red Flamed Maple with trem, and Birdseye Maple neck/fretboard posted!

Love the haircut Baxter!

Funny Thumbnail... Bought a Vox TB 35C2... Guitar Center Sacramento... on the 18th... and a week later I call to See What Day I Should Expect It... I Was Told It's Still in the Store... What?? Troy from Atlantic City

If in the UK, you can’t go wrong with DPD, excellent service and prices, I have sold and sent several guitars with DPD 👍

I love this channel so much

If I'm buying in the US and having it shipped to Canada, I prefer USPS because I don't get hit with BS fees from a courier "helping" with Customs forms. USPS hands it off to Canada Post, I pick it up or have it delivered, and no fees. Really, I haven't so much as paid the federal and provincial taxes at Canada Post. I have never sold any gear, so I haven't had shipping worries. In fact, I wouldn't sell a guitar or amp except locally. I have to say that Canada Post's tracking is awful. Sometimes I get delivery well after tracking says it's delivered, sometimes I get delivery when tracking hasn't listed it as out for delivery yet. For in Canada shipping, couriers are fine, and the tracking is generally accurate.

FYI, here's how USPS tracking operates: After your package gets scanned in at your local post office it's put into a shipping container with hundreds of other packages. From this point on your tracking follows this container rather than than the package itself - until the shipping container gets unloaded somewhere near its final destination. If your package somehow gets loaded into the wrong container things can obviously go awry. Even worse, if the USPS employee somehow forgets to scan your package the entire system will show that you haven't even dropped it off at the post office yet! (This has happened to me.) So if you absolutely must ship via USPS, and even though it's more convenient to just put something into the package drop bin or leave it on the counter with other large packages, you should always, always, always go through the line, hand it over in person, watch it get scanned in and get a printed receipt with tracking number. Always.

So wait, time out! Can an individual person negotiate a shipping price with UPS/FedEx?! What is the most cost effective way for the average Joe to ship a guitar or large/heavy guitar gear like amps? You guys are talking as a business but what about people at home selling their gear, shipping for repairs, etc.?

My buddy got a UPS guitar w/ the box torn open and tread marks. Was apparently stuck under and dragged at some point. Pretty wild!

Good lord, I had no idea that you guys were in North Carolina! For some reason I thought you were UK based! LOL Silly me. FedEx has worked well for me in terms of speed, at a mere 26 hours from UK to New England, on a less expensive tier. Staggeringly fast and I would certainly consider using them again.

Immediate click, like and comment for the algorithm. As always, love the content !!

Best banana pudding I ever had in my life was from a late night visit to the Village (original) Magnolia Bakery.

Where I’m at, UPS is the worst.

I have had two shipping mishaps with guitars that were shipped to me - both instances UPS was the carrier. I was never able to get any type of compensation despite excellent documentation, pictures, etc. I followed all their requests, jumped through every hoop, dotted every "i". They sent their agent to meet with me multiple times and I never collected a cent. It was a complete waste of my time and, I might add, very frustrating. One of the packages had evidence of being run over by a forklift - with corresponding damage to the guitar. The other one I received an SG with one of its horns sticking out of the package. The box was completely destroyed. They are the roughest ship in the shipping business. See, I'm getting mad just thinking about it.

I honestly did have a guitar left leaning against my mailbox 📬 about 70 feet from my door and two feet off the road. Fortunately I live on a dead-end street with little activity.

If I ship a guitar, UPS usually has a better price and I've never had any problems with them. I'm sure that at times, FedEx has not delivered and you see the reason as "not home", but I work from home, so I know they just didn't try. I think it depends a lot on where you live.

If something is being shipped to me, I request UPS. Where I live, Fed-Ex never shows up when scheduled, sometimes they come the day before they're scheduled, or the day after, or they change the delivery date and actually deliver on the original date, etc. It's even better when it's signature required. Where I live, UPS shows up when scheduled, and will update the delivery information in a timely manner if the scheduled delivery changes. I had a new guitar scheduled for delivery tomorrow, last night the UPS tracking was updated and stated it was going to be delivered today (early). USPS is usually good, though they did manage to ruin a surprise package of handmade custom jewelry I bought for my girlfriend; not only was it delivered several days late from the scheduled delivery and after her birthday, but the package had clearly been submerged in water, soaked through; stuck in a USPS plastic bag with a "repackaged" note. The jewelry survived but the jewelrymaker's hand-drawn artwork, certificate, and other items were completely destroyed.

When are y’all going to have shirts and hats for sale again? Can you ship to Australia?

I have my orders shipped to my work!😎

Got a Tele yesterday from Fender. Came via FedEx.

Long time ago it wasn't left by the mailbox out by the street but was left on my stairs when it was snowing, $1200 studio Les Paul.

USPS Tracking: Departed Kansas City, Mo. at 4:19pm. Arrived at Kansas City Mo. at 7:13pm. Departed Kansas City, Mo. at 11:22pm Arrived at Kansas City, Mo. at 1:43am. Departed Kansas City, Mo. at 3:15am. I've seen this a million times. And the package is going to Waterloo, Iowa (4 1/2 hours drive)...and gets stuck in the same scenario in Des Moines, Iowa for an entire day or two. Stupid ridiculous.

I'm sure everyone has horror stories with any shipping method. I used UPS to send a vintage amp head to be worked on from NC to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. It was first reported lost. Then, after all hope was lost, it arrived seven months later. The box was beat all to pieces. I saw pictures. Coincidence is that the guy actually has a side job driving for FedEx and was all "See! That's what happens when you go Brown."

I handle the shipping and receiving at a large automobile dealership and warehouse. You are right UPS is a little cheaper than FedEx. And for small items USPS is cheaper than either of them. Almost all of my band eguipment I have come in on UPS unless it's small. Then USPS

When I built my first pc I ordered all the parts from newegg. They shipped FedEx and arrived all in their original boxes and were left on the boulevard in front of my house. When I came home from work I watched in horror as the elementary students from the school a few blocks down were hanging out and looking at the cool stuff. Nothing taken but I was not pleased.

Here in the UK the only courier i would trust with a well packed guitar in at least two box's is UPS. They are not perfect, but compared to the rest thay are as good as they get. Of the rest i wouldn't send a house brick with Fed -Ex, DHL, Parcelforce, Hermes, Yodel etc. They are experts at damaging and loosing parcels, and with Hermes and Yodel guitars are sent at your risk, they will not payout for any damage. Packing a guitar to withstand the rough handing that even UPS are capable of is an art, and one that takes time and the right sort of packing, crumpled paper is useless, If you don't do it correctly, you will be in tears when the guitar arrives damaged.

If you're ever shipping to Canada, don't be surprised if the person requests USPS. They have a flat rate brokerage fee for shipments from the US. Commercial shippers charge a HUGE brokerage fee. Most of us in Canada know that the tracking is useless and are willing to accept that.

I've had personally some poor experiences with tracking from all shippers at one time or another. I had an EVH 2011 Chinese made hardtail held at a UPS customer center. When I went to pick it up, the handed it to me with the "THIS SIDE UP" and the arrow upside down. It had been there for a couple of days before I could pick it up. I know guys who've had FedEx absolutely destroy guitars that were packed well. They all have problems.

So if I don’t go to the UPS store, do I request UPS to pickup the shipment from my location? I have been marked up at the store without knowing it.

Lunch? I just did some White Castles!

UPS has delivered my packages to someone else so many times I’ve lost count. They leaned a EDS 1275 against my door and didn’t even ring the doorbell, in an apartment!!! And who did sign for it being I was home(luckily)? I will pay more to not use them

So, UPS or FedEx for shipping a body? Asking for a friend.

How do you ship Harley Benton guitars? 😁

Try PirateShip! UPS just broke a Parker Fly and 2 Harley Bentons in 2020.

Hey Gents, Another consideration is the time of day when the shipping companies make their deliveries. In my neighborhood, UPS deliveries are made after 5PM (when the wife is home from work). FedEx delivers around noon. Obviously, FedEx is best for getting product into the house without being noticed! (Note: a friend told me this 🤔)….

I can attest to not using the UPS Store to ship guitars. My mother shipped me a guitar that I had left at her house under a bed for 20 years. The UPS Store filled all of the dead space with packing peanuts. It took me months to get rid of every little bit of styrofoam that was left over. Also it cost her $75. I literally could have take a round trip on Greyhound for less money (I don’t drive)

I avoid shipping guitars during big holidays because there are too many temporary employees. Shipped a Fender cs via UPS during Christmas one time and it got stolen by a temporary employee and an empty box got shipped to the buyer.

Yep...gal at shipnerd is great

Do NOT do Saturday delivery with UPS! I’ve shipped and received many many expensive items with UPS over the years, and generally had no issues. However-last year I had a bass amplifier head shipped to me direct from the manufacturer. It was scheduled to be delivered on a Saturday. I watched as the UPS truck package tracker showed the truck containing my amp come near my home, sit at a nearby location for hours, then head back to the UPS shipping center that evening without delivering the amp to me. A few days later, and nothing. The amp manufacturer got involved and filed a complaint. A week later-still no amp. And no results from UPS “investigation.” But through a twist of fate, the amp manufacturer was able to track down the lost amp--because someone in NY (I’m in Chicago) registered the amp with the manufacturer. My amp had been stolen by the UPS weekend delivery person, and sold on EBay as new to someone else for a ridiculous price. And obviously the buyer didn’t know it was stolen--even though the pricing should’ve been a clue. But without that buyer having registered the amp with the amp company-that amp would’ve NEVER been found. UPS NEVER followed up with either myself. Or the amp manufacturer. 🤬

Usps is really the cheaper option just do signature tracking

morning

I have purchased more than a dozen guitars that have been shipped to me, and I will say this... I will no longer purchase a guitar from a dealer who ships FedEx. Every shipper has problems on occasion, but EVERY FedEx shipment has had problems. They can't seem to locate a package no matter how large or expensive it is.

I buy a lot of used books from a site that has amazing prices but ships USPS. Every single thing I've ever ordered from them disappears for 48-72 hours when I'm tracking it. I can't imagine having USPS ship a guitar.

⚓️ Thanks Casino 😎 !!! ALARM !!! Shipping terminology!! Is a thing!!! For the SHIPPER (guitar person) communicate with the CARRIER (that’s the outfit with the truck) do some research on the terms….glossary of shipping, …makes a big deal in understanding the forms. ALSO… take the time to read the WHOLE contract all that small print. WHY? You ask? MONEY!!! It will end up costing you less to follow the instructions. 🎸

Does it have to be live peanuts? All I got is roasted.

Sometimes feel sorry for Americans. In Japan I cannot even comprehend the idea that someone would come on to my property and steal a package off of my front porch.

I hate it when they send something signature required without asking me first or giving me a chance to decline that. Everytime I get something SR the tap lightly on my door and book. Even though someone is always 10ft away from the door they will take three attempts to deliver a package. I live in the safest neighborhood possible. We haven't had a theft in 20 years.

I have purchased and sold 200 plus guitars and over 200 pedals , the only problem I have had is with UPS. USPS is great for pedals. With Ups is impossible to talk to someone that can answer a question. Their computer 800 number only responds if you fit into one of 5 types of transactions. I have had UPS deliver guitars in boxes that were smashed, open, wet etc. A delivery across state once took 3 weeks when they committed to 3 days the tracking was worthless and the best I could get from their Customer service was that they had a new driver that could not locate the adress. . I personally don’t think that their employees that I have dealt with on issues care about their business and customer service . I have had good experiences with my local ups store franchisee but wish corporate support was more service oriented

prices depend on how much you purchase from the shipper. You can always megotiate rates as well. Just hit up your regional manager. I bet my rates are better than yours by far just because I have contacts with usps, ups and fedex. actually usps came to me. I have been doing e-commerce for 20 years and thats my best advice. Dont settle for general consumer rates. I use almost usps solely, by the way

Doesn't matter who shipped it, matters most how it was prepped for the journey. Because I live in the middle of no-where, I have bought a guitar from every major retailer and had them sent through every imaginable "shipper". MF, GC kinda suck, especially if it's used. Sweetwater, AMS and Kiesel are much better. in my experience anyway.

FedEx pulled up to my curb and threw my SG from said curb and onto my porch. Threw it.

I’d have to say ups

UPS recently failed me horribly and USPS did just fine, on my Locke Custom Ordered and Built Neck, UPS Driver claimed to have delivered my Neck but didnt, Fortunately for me Chris Locke does Thousands in shipping and his people forced UPS to look into the matter, that when I tried acted like it didn't mean a thing to them and if felt needed, to file a claim. Within 48 hours of Chris making a demand , they found and returned Neck to him and USPS, had Zero Issues and did amazing Job , where UPS talked to me as if I was Lying and it was in imposition for them to even call me back, which They Promised to do 3 separate times, There was NO Customer Service only Customer Abuse and Neglect

What!! No movie references! LOL!!!

Bad experience with USPS, placed an order from another site and I get an email alert on a week day morning that my package was deliver. I never seen the mail man deliver this early where I live, is usually around 3pm or later. So I look all over and contact the customer service immediately and after few days waiting the seller was very professional and send a replacement. USPS 👎.

Just recently found this channel so I'm late to the party on this one. I refuse to do any business with UPS. I live back in the woods about 1000 feet from the road. I had the same problem several times but when I bought a Telecaster from an individual on Ebay, I caught the driver in the act of not doing his job. All my packages are supposed to come signature required but what the UPS driver does is forge my name and leave the packages out by the gate (which was open) in full view of a busy road. Obviously, this is a recipe for disaster.......all because the driver is too lazy to drive down the driveway and properly deliver the package. He entered it as "left at the front door" by the way, which you can't even see from where he was leaving it. Fortunately, I was there to catch him and the guitar was as represented by the seller. Anyway, no more UPS for me.

What i like is the hidden shipping cost..we'll calculate when you check out...what...i got 3 ehx t-shirts 20 each ..end up 70 each ..that was calculated after i paid the 60 something bill,amazoon and others famous for ballooned shipping on cheap product..never at casino of course...canada from us nightmare cost..cheaper from china..lol..

I stop shipping with United States post office I’ve come to realize any government run organization it’s pretty shitty I’ve had the same issue they delivered my guitar box broken and leaned it against my recycling bin on the day that my recycling goes out . The only thing that saved it was the fact that I just happened to open the door at that timing literally I will not ship anything of any value to the United States post office

Any one else get scammed by Reverb and UPS using postage bought thru Reverb? After shipping an item UPS notifies Reverb to charge you saying your weight and dimensions were wrong. UPS won't answer any questions about how they arrived at their measurements and Reverb will deny they have anything to do with the decision. This happens to me too often and Reverb agents have been such enormous dicks about it.

Signature required is worthless if you can't specify who is authorized to sign. Can someone be named the designated signatory? zZounds uses UPS not sure my signature was the only signature accepted. I do not buy direct from manufacturer (too poor) I need extended pay period. Sweetwater or zZounds is my go to Sweet uses FedX and never had my signature been the only accepted signature. As I will never sell any guitar I own or buy used non face to face I find your perpetuating this habit troubling.

Shake ‘n’ Bake, who is Ricky and who is Cal? lol

Had some steak last night and then three pounds of shipping...with peanuts.

Hey its the clowns again

I guess you guys going to Taco Bell for lunch today

UPS for the win... FedEx and usps are run by people who hate guitar and love cats.

Here in LA I've had nothing but nightmares with Fedex

Strange that people say ups is better, in my experience fedex has always been better

FEDEX Is Horrible

I'm sorry but this was by far the worst episode I have seen. Basic common knowledge stuff and completely wasted time.