Shipping Guitar Recommendations

Dan_C

Hi all - Looking for recommendations for companies to ship a guitar with, and of course any services to avoid if possible! 

Thanks! 

timmypix

Overland Express - they offer a choice of couriers but add their own insurance specifically for guitars as most couriers don't cover them when you look at their small print. They have a discount code for TFB members as well, in a thread somewhere on here...

Edit: found it!

https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/269590/new-48hr-guitar-delivery-service#latest

AlbertC

Another recommendation for Overland Express. Easy to use and very helpful. 

aconitethrill

Can’t recommend Overland Express highly enough!

LPManic

Dont know Overland Express but if everyone else is recommending it then I don't want to feel left out! Overland Express 100%!

PAL

When shipping be sure you pack your guitar well and make sure you insure the guitar for loss or damage for the full amount
  I recently used Parcelforce and it was very straight forward and reasonable with great a great tracking system.

birtner

Parcelforce. 24 hr delivered before noon helps mitigate the anxiety 

TTony

Overland Express.

Their instructions for guitar shipping are here
https://www.overlandexpress.co.uk/guitar-courier

Note that they use the same couriers as you could use via one of the brokers *but* (most importantly) they offer proper insurance cover - that's their USP.

CarbonCopy

Another recommendation for Overland Express. I've used them multiple times. They are an intermediary through which you can book with select couriers (I always use Parcelforce). The prices are good and so is the insurance.

They have instructions of how best to pack a guitar on the website. Always be sure to read the insurance terms and conditions as it's worth 10 minutes of your time. Don't rely purely on what you are told on a forum!

TDubs

Lenspeed

Richardrichard

I’ve used overland express a bunch of times, but the insurance cost went way up (though I think it came down again at some point), so I’ve also shipped plenty with parcelforce using secursus insurance separately - never had an issue.

paulnb57

birtner said:

Parcelforce. 24 hr delivered before noon helps mitigate the anxiety 

I recently bought a MIJ Les Paul copy, on eBay, seller used Parcelforce, guitar arrived damaged in the mail, the set neck was loose in its socket, returned the guitar to the seller, who claimed from PF….PF rejected the claim, guitar was in a case in a cardboard box with extra packing and strings detuned, seller had paid extra for the guitar value
PF refused the claim even though you could see where the box had taken a hit….
PF used to be my carrier of choice, but I will try Overland Express in the future

CarbonCopy

Richardrichard said:

I’ve used overland express a bunch of times, but the insurance cost went way up (though I think it came down again at some point), so I’ve also shipped plenty with parcelforce using secursus insurance separately - never had an issue.

Secursus insurance is useless if you're selling a guitar via eBay, Reverb or Facebook marketplace though. I wouldn't trust that it would cover a guitar sold via the classifieds either as that could fall into the definition of online marketplace.

Perhaps you were you sending the guitar to a friend or your business is selling guitars in which case, it would be a good option.

Exclusions:

ITEMS SHIPPED THAT ARE SOLD/PURCHASED ON AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE BY INDIVIDUALS. ONLY OFFICIAL BUSINESSES WILL BE COVERED UNLESS APPROVED IN WRITING.