Need advice on shipping an electric guitar I'm selling on eBay

[LeeH]

I have a Parker Fly Deluxe on an eBay auction that will close Sunday.

Any suggestions on how to get it to its destination in one piece? I've read various articles, watched videos and there's seems to be conflicting info on the best methods.

Fortunately I do have the factory case that seems to be a snug fit. This guitar is in extremely nice shape and should close between $1000 and $1400 depending on the voracity of the top bidders.

Any guidance would be appreciated!

[Rick Lee]

Go dumpster diving at the Tempe Guitar Center. They'll have a free box for you.

[Don Ro]

Damn!
I just cut up a Martin D28 shipping box just a few hours ago...been sitting around for over a year.
Any Guitar Center, I'd guess...just go in and ask...I'd think.

[Nostril Cheese]

I'd probably take the tension off the strings before shipping.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

I'd probably take the tension off the strings before shipping.

Yeah, that's one of the things no one can seem to agree on. Some say leave it in tune, some say drop it a step, others say to completely loosen the strings AND reduce tension on the truss rod!

[LWJ]

I shipped a D18ge years ago via the post office. Full insurance. I figured if I packed it correctly after that it was on them. Everything worked out fine.

[John Rogers]

I would ship it the way I shipped my Fender anniversary Strat I sold years ago. I loosened the strings, made sure the guitar fit well in the tweed case and then used a double thickness of cardboard in a home made "box". I used some spacer strips between the inner and outer layers of the box and lots of that clear shipping tape. Not a scratch anywhere including the cardboard. I also ship any rifles I have sold the same way but usually their case is metal so a bit stronger.

[LeeH]

I'll get by Guitar Center before the auction closes to see if I can find a box. I hate shipping stuff like this... you know it leaves perfect but never know how it'll be treated along the way. FedEx destroyed to very nice speakers I sold a while back. Fortunately, they were in the factory packaging so they had to pay for the repairs.

Other than round up a box, I'm not doing anything until I find out where the buyer lives. I sold a turntable on eBay a couple of years ago and boxed it up ahead of time, making sure it was well packed for a trip to anywhere. Turned out the guy was passing through Phoenix and just picked it up a couple of days later.

[scottmandue]

I ship fragile electronics a lot for work...
Put guitar in case, wrap the case liberally with the large bubble bubble wrap, insert that into a cardboard box that has a snug fit.

Works with computers.

[craigster59]

Loosen the strings, put packing around the headstock and ship in box from GC. Fed Ex ground will cost around $50.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I shipped a Music Man Bongo 5 from PHX to Denver via USPS. It was in the hardshell case and then DOUBLE boxed.

It arrived like this.



The case was obliterated but somehow the bass was undamaged.

Moral of the story: no matter what you do, USPS will find some way to destroy your package.

[Christien]

I bought my LP from someone online and they shipped it usps, if memory serves. Just in the factory case, put away like you would every day. Fully insured and contents declared,plus had to be open-able for customs crossing the border. It arrived perfectly, not a scratch, even on the case.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Loosen the strings, put packing around the headstock and ship in box from GC. Fed Ex ground will cost around $50.

Oh yeah, don't think I would trust USPS... I know people will differ on that.
I used FedEx to ship my tools when I worked on the road... in a decade they only lost my box once... I had to set up a show without tools but eventually they found my box and returned my tools.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

I shipped a Music Man Bongo 5 from PHX to Denver via USPS. It was in the hardshell case and then DOUBLE boxed.

It arrived like this.



The case was obliterated but somehow the bass was undamaged.

Moral of the story: no matter what you do, USPS will find some way to destroy your package.

Holy Crap!!!
I'm retired and home all day long and I'm on first name basis with my USPS guy.
But when something is coming via UPS, my dog barks and before he jumps into his truck I ask the guy to remain while I inspect the box. Too many times the box is destroyed.
.
BTW, I like FedEX Ground.

[stuartj]

Hi lee

I slacken the strings and lay a piece of cardboard or bubble wrap under the strings on the fretboard. Packed in a case, I use lots of bubble wrap around the head and at the shoulders of the guitar to try to stop any movement (imagine the thing was standing/dropped on its head) inside the case. Then, case inside a guitar shipping box full of packing beans.

Yet to lose one. Stuart

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by stuartj

Hi lee

I slacken the strings and lay a piece of cardboard or bubble wrap under the strings on the fretboard. Packed in a case, I use lots of bubble wrap around the head and at the shoulders of the guitar to try to stop any movement (imagine the thing was standing/dropped on its head) inside the case. Then, case inside a guitar shipping box full of packing beans.

Yet to lose one. Stuart

Had to send it all the way to Florida from AZ. Pretty much did exactly what you said. Must have done it right.

Buyer's feedback: Item was in the condition described, possibly better. Fast shipping, well packed.

Note from the buyer: "Sorry to bother but I wanted to express how happy I am with the Parker. I got sorta burned in a craigslist deal on one and luckily found yours. Anyway, I appreciate your honesty on the condition of the instrument, the effort you went through to pack it, and I can barely put the thing down. Thanks for the guitar, I am a collector and next time I'm looking for something I will certainly check to see if you have any items first. Not a big ebayer so let me know if I can do anything else to ensure that you get proper credit for a great transaction."

[Don Ro]

Good ending.
And nice of him to take the time to write that to you.
I always look at my eBay feedback and get a tickle out of them when they say what a good guy I am.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Had to send it all the way to Florida from AZ.

Cool, good result.

[Baz]

Nice Lee.....thanks for sharing. Good job there!

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Holy Crap!!!
I'm retired and home all day long and I'm on first name basis with my USPS guy.
But when something is coming via UPS, my dog barks and before he jumps into his truck I ask the guy to remain while I inspect the box. Too many times the box is destroyed.
.
BTW, I like FedEX Ground.

I will only say that my recent history with the company in "bold" has been less than satisfactory. Ordered some equip from an online company and they shipped it through this shipping company. Almost two weeks go by and nothing. Call the online store and they said it was delivered last week and they have confirmation. I say I never got it. They said they will check with this shipping company and get back with me. In the meantime, I keep getting calls from some number I don't recognize. I finally pick up the phone and it is a guy who lives in a different part of town stating that my box had been sitting on his porch while he was away on vacation and would I like to have it. He stated he called the shipping company and could get no where with them. They said they would send a guy around to pick it up. After a few days of waiting, he just called my number on the package. I picked it up and thanked him for his honesty. Ordered something else from the same company a few weeks later and checked the box for "signature required" because this item was a little more expensive. Came home from work and the box was sitting on my doorstep wet and tattered. I guess the neighborhood dog must have signed for it because I sure enough didn't.

I think this might just be my local branch of this shipping company. UPS and USPS both seem to follow the rules of delivery and deliver my packages in good condition and on time.

Glad that the OP's guitar arrived in one piece and the buyer is happy.