Shipping UPS

[fett]

I never quote a shipping charge in my auctions unless it's a small item. I have seen too many sellers get burned by quoting a cost. I use the good old USPS. They seem to be fair. I did go into a UPS Store once and was shocked at what they were about to charge me. I walked out and will never return.

[daisp]

Good idea, think i'll change too.

[fett]

I wait until I have it packed up. The USPS site has really never let me down as to the cost of shipping. They seem to be on the same page. It's the oversize box that will kill you if you don't take that into consideration. I bought a guitar with an amp and the seller quoted like $40. It ended up costing him more than $100. I think I only paid about $175 for the whole deal. It took him two boxes and two shipping charges. And he had the packing "Done". I did feel sorry for the dude. But, that's life.

[daisp]

Sounds familiar..I constantly get complaints from potential buyers about shipping "why is it $120"....well shipping a $3000 guitar fully insured with a courier is damn expensive...and then I lose money 'cause it actually ends up costing $200...but they still bitch.

[fett]

I'm selling a non-guitar and non-lamp item on the Bay. I stated in the auction that I ship USPS at cost. I told them to go to the site based on the 16 pounds I said it would weigh. So what do I get? Questions. "How much will it cost to ship to U812?" I don't even have a box yet. I hate that. BTW. Did your know that you can't ship a toy to Italy unless it is made of wood? This auction has 300 hits.:ROTF: :ROTF:

[missionguitars1]

BTW. Did your know that you can't ship a toy to Italy unless it is made of wood?

Yes...I did! Europe has no shortage of import rules...check out France some time!

As for shipping guitars:
A) Lift box out of dumpster behind Guitar Center after hours
B) Use bubblewrap or peanuts you have been saving in that 32 gallon plastic bag in your garage (you save this stuff, right?)
C) Use FedEx Ground or USPS - should be about $25 for guitars, $30-$35 with a case...

I have heard good things about DHL as they are trying to get a foothold in the US market and keeping competitive.

UPS...well...their drivers make a ton more $ than the other guys, so guess who pays for that? Not to mention I'm batting about .500 on things that they've totally destroyed that I have shipped or received...

[daisp]

Italy sportin a lot of wood I guess...

[PittJitsu]

I use shippers every day. The prices have consistently gone up with the gas prices rising, yet never come down when gasoline drops. DHL is the cheapest for cross country right now.