Discussion:
Shipping advice
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Tom from Texas
2015-09-08 15:51:09 UTC
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I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's experience is with various shippers.
Rick Ruskin
2015-09-08 16:16:47 UTC
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On Tue, 8 Sep 2015 08:51:09 -0700 (PDT), Tom from Texas
Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's experience is with various shippers.
Not FedEx. 9 times out of 10 they have screwed up on me.

I prefer UPS because their tracking is more up-to-the minute but USPS
have been quite good in on time and no-screw-up delivery.

Word of advice: remove strings and floating bridge for safety. Use
drafting tape to mark bridge replacement for the receiver.


Rick Ruskin
Lion Dog Music- Seattle WA
http://liondogmusic.com
Tom from Texas
2015-09-09 16:55:26 UTC
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Post by Rick Ruskin
On Tue, 8 Sep 2015 08:51:09 -0700 (PDT), Tom from Texas
Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's experience is with various shippers.
Not FedEx. 9 times out of 10 they have screwed up on me.
I prefer UPS because their tracking is more up-to-the minute but USPS
have been quite good in on time and no-screw-up delivery.
Word of advice: remove strings and floating bridge for safety. Use
drafting tape to mark bridge replacement for the receiver.
Rick Ruskin
Lion Dog Music- Seattle WA
http://liondogmusic.com
Thanks for the advice on the bridge. I've considered just packing up and driving the instrument to the new owner. I think some of this just so much depends on who is working on any given day.

Keep on truckin'
Tom from Texas
Steve Freides
2015-09-10 23:36:07 UTC
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Post by Rick Ruskin
Word of advice: remove strings and floating bridge for safety. Use
drafting tape to mark bridge replacement for the receiver.
Doesn't the bridge line up with the little marks on the f-holes? On a
vioin family instrument, it does but they don't have frets you have to
make work OK.

-S-
jtees4
2015-09-08 18:39:29 UTC
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On Tue, 8 Sep 2015 08:51:09 -0700 (PDT), Tom from Texas
Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's experience is with various shippers.
I'm of the opposite opinion as the previous pooster. Always FedEx for
me, they have never let me down after shipping probably over 100+
guitars over the last few years. I would NOT use the USPS, as I have
recieved guitars from them IN A GIG BAG with ZERO packaging.....just
the fact that they would accept that for shipoment told me to never
use them. UPS is fine, but I think generally more expensive than
FeDex. Just my personal experiences.
Tom from Texas
2015-09-09 17:00:08 UTC
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Post by Rick Ruskin
On Tue, 8 Sep 2015 08:51:09 -0700 (PDT), Tom from Texas
Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's experience is with various shippers.
I'm of the opposite opinion as the previous pooster. Always FedEx for
me, they have never let me down after shipping probably over 100+
guitars over the last few years. I would NOT use the USPS, as I have
recieved guitars from them IN A GIG BAG with ZERO packaging.....just
the fact that they would accept that for shipoment told me to never
use them. UPS is fine, but I think generally more expensive than
FeDex. Just my personal experiences.
Yeah, as I posted with Rick, some of this is so day to day with shippers in an area. I checked with overnight costs at my local FedEx and the person at the counter had no problem with shipping the mandolin in just its case with no box. Didn't even ask if the case locked. Overnight shipping was going to be over $300 at all three places. UPS was most helpful here and suggested not shipping until Monday so it doesn't sit over the weekend in a warehouse or truck.

Keep on truckin',
Tom from Texas
rayboyce
2015-09-11 14:46:52 UTC
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Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's
experience is with various shippers.
Tom,
I will remember the Froggy Bottom incident (broken neck at headstock) from
FedEx's magic for longer than I remember the Alamo...

Still to this day, cut to the heart.
Tom from Texas
2015-09-11 23:17:32 UTC
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Post by rayboyce
Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's
experience is with various shippers.
Tom,
I will remember the Froggy Bottom incident (broken neck at headstock) from
FedEx's magic for longer than I remember the Alamo...
Still to this day, cut to the heart.
The thought of that brings tears to my eyes and rage to my heart. These people working at shippers do not realize the precious possessions that we release to them.

Tom from Texas
Bill
2015-09-12 15:30:10 UTC
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Post by Tom from Texas
Post by rayboyce
Post by Tom from Texas
I'm shipping a mandolin to California and was wondering what yall's
experience is with various shippers.
Tom,
I will remember the Froggy Bottom incident (broken neck at headstock) from
FedEx's magic for longer than I remember the Alamo...
Still to this day, cut to the heart.
The thought of that brings tears to my eyes and rage to my heart. These people working at shippers do not realize the precious possessions that we release to them.
Not unless you buy insurance for them!
Post by Tom from Texas
Tom from Texas
dorgan
2015-11-14 12:18:10 UTC
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Post by rayboyce
Tom,
I will remember the Froggy Bottom incident (broken neck at headstock) from
FedEx's magic for longer than I remember the Alamo...
Still to this day, cut to the heart.
She's holding up well, so the repair was solid.

I can imagine what it felt like when you opened the case and found that neck in two pieces.

dorgan
Steve Hawkins
2015-11-14 15:51:11 UTC
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Post by dorgan
She's holding up well, so the repair was solid.
I can imagine what it felt like when you opened the case and found that neck in two pieces.
dorgan
Still have the Attack Goodall?

Steve Hawkins

p.s. - Westmoreland hasn't changed a bit and is still in the same location.
rayboyce
2015-11-15 03:21:26 UTC
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Post by dorgan
I can imagine what it felt like when you opened the case and found that neck in two pieces.
dorgan
Whew... Actually I dodged that trauma... I had it shipped straight to a
boutique store to install that k&k you now have benefit of...

I had just bought it, needed the parlor size for "the look" and quick hiding
onstage in a musical I was in. On very tight schedule, I had it shipped
from the seller, direct to the shop for p/u installation. The shop owner
called me with voice quivering to report the fate. The only upside was it
was received by a very experience pro and all done with correct protocol for
the insurance.

Anyway... Mike Lull made that repair himself, and emphatically proclaimed it
stronger than the original wood for the rest of its days, unless it was
allowed to get too cold, even once... which would = near certain doom.

(AKA be careful back east Bob!) I still miss that guitar, as recently as
last week. If it wasn't so close to the McA... that's the rest of the story

All the best with it, sir.

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