Courier advice needed

[BT Bob]

I'm thinking of downsizing my guitar collection and wondering if anyone has any experience/advice on couriers that will take parcels that sort of size at a reasonable cost?

I've never dabbled with Gumtree, so may look at that, which will probably mean collection/delivery as it'll be more local than, say, eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

TIA.

 

[RBZ5416]

I'm thinking of downsizing my guitar collection

Does not compute!

The size of the box isn't the issue as most if not all will take a guitar box. The issue comes with insurance, where most will either only insure if in a hard case or not insure at all. I've used UPS via Interparcel a few times to ship guitars. But UPS seem to have gone to the dogs somewhat during the pandemic. Last three parcels I've sent have been self signed by the driver with a location of "Other". Not sure how well that would stand up to a claim of non-delivery.

 

[ssbib]

I use parcel hero to find the best price for all the big names couriers.

 

[Desmo]

But UPS seem to have gone to the dogs somewhat during the pandemic.

Pretty much all of them have. Drivers are "self signing", leaving parcels and taking photos of where they have been left. They're only now just getting back to some kind of normal but still not taking actual signatures.

 

[RBZ5416]

Pretty much all of them have. Drivers are "self signing", leaving parcels and taking photos of where they have been left. They're only now just getting back to some kind of normal but still not taking actual signatures.

That’s fair enough as the photo is evidence of delivery. If UPS are taking photos they’re not making them available in tracking. When I queried the first two “other” locations I got no reply. That was particularly worrying as it was an Ebay sale & I was dreading a report of non-delivery for a while after. Luckily that never happened, but when the same happened with a laptop, I decided to look elsewhere next time. Plus the laptop was out for delivery & then mysteriously returned to the depot. I think someone else has reported similar with UPS recently.


Edit
May, so not that recent.

UPS rant

Im tired of some companies blaming covid 19 on there lack of service. I paid for next day delivery for a camera lens, I was checking the detailed tracking info and all was going well. Had confirmation that the parcel was out for delivery then I got a message saying delayed due to emergency or...

www.avforums.com

 

[noiseboy72]

Have you seen the DHL advert where they deliver the new guitar directly to Bryan Adams? I'm sure they will take the same care of your guitars as they pass through their system...

I would suggest you advertise them on specialist guitar forums rather than the scammer and low baller magnets that are gumtree and Facebook. You will probably get a better price and can arrange to meet buyers in person.

 

[BT Bob]

Have you seen the DHL advert where they deliver the new guitar directly to Bryan Adams? I'm sure they will take the same care of your guitars as they pass through their system...

I haven't, but will keep an eye out - and yes, I'm sure they would... (joking apart, when I've had anything delivered by DHL they've always been OK).

I would suggest you advertise them on specialist guitar forums rather than the scammer and low baller magnets that are gumtree and Facebook. You will probably get a better price and can arrange to meet buyers in person.

Indeed - I was just using them as a quick example. Were I buying a used guitar, I'd want to see it "in the flash" and play it first as well. Especially as one of them will be 4-figures (though I'm currently "grooming" a mate who's always admired it - and I know it would look great in his collection ).

 

[BT Bob]

Does not compute!

There's currently 6 on my rack and we're planning on moving from a 3-bedroom house to a 2-bedroom apartment, so something's got to give. I'll be keeping my '78 Yamaha FG340, but the rest really could do with going.... 😢

 

[reevesy]

I've sold 4 guitars...all on eBay without any problems...3 got collected ..the most expensive one I ended up having to post to London

It did have its own case ...which in turn I packed up with plenty of packing ....most importantly I used a bit of wood to splint the neck so to speak..
forget which courier I used to be honest ...one of the mainstream ones.

Took pictures before and after packing ....then had it collected.

Think if I remember I couldn't get insurance under their choices.

Took a punt and it was alright...just pack it expecting a courier to chuck it about....which they will

As it happens one was picked up by an Aussie..who was planning to fly it back with him...the other I posted was to an American planning to do the same..

Bought a couple off gumtree...and an amp

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

I’ve sold quite a few moderate value guitars on eBay and Facebook (up to £1000). When they needed delivery packing was expensive and time consuming but none were ever damaged. I always sent with Parcelforce as they were one of very few that would provide insurance for instruments but never had any trouble.

 

[noiseboy72]