Well, it happened to me...

Don Sulesky · From: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

I became one of the latest victims of the UPS idiots that like to drop guitars.
One I just sold ended up in two pieces when it arrived at the door.
Of course nothing was noted by the driver that the outside of the box was ripped and smashed.
The neck was no longer part of the body and the box was double packed and guitar wrapped, but when you bend the box in two nothing will withstand that type of carelessness.
As I tell folks UPS stands for "unable to process safely".
I always had better luck with USPS, but thought I'd try UPS.
Wrong idea.

Update: It was a cheap guitar so I just made a deal with the buyer and he will have the guitar repaired.
Seeing that I packed it, I just can't be bothered trying to get a few bucks back from UPS, if at all possible.
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club

"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Commiserations, Don. In fairness, all three use the same basic system. Heavy stuff/big stuff isn't supposed to ride the belts, but go from dock to sort and back on carts, which lack sides. Stuff often falls off the carts, falling three feet to concrete.
I hope they'll make good on the claim.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Tim Russell · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

The only guitars that ever arrived BROKEN at my door came from USPS. 2 with broken necks .

My experiences with both Fed Ex and UPS are 100% satisfaction. And I am talking about at least 12 Steel guitars and several amps coming and going in the last 2 years. Add a handful of 6 string guitars and mandolins to the equation. Not one complaint. Then looking back over the last decade, not ONE issue.

So, there's my 3 cents.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Ben Elder · From: La Crescenta, California, USA

All three major shippers have disappointed, offended and vexed me feloniously, needlessly and catatonically. And what they did to amps and (mostly) instruments was even worse.

Don't even get me started...my systolic/diastolic couldn't handle it.
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?"

Butch Mullen · From: North Carolina, USA 28681

Plus the effect it might have on your blood pressure!!!!!

Rick Barnhart · From: Arizona, USA

Pat Moore · From: Virginia USA

Sorry to hear about the busted up guitar. Does anyone know if DHL will ship 'em?
Always looking for something better!
Pat

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Really sorry to hear about that, Don. Hope the situation gets resolved to your satisfaction with minimal frustration.

I guess we've all had differing experiences with the shippers but since 1999 and about 30 instruments shipped (mostly pedal steels to a few guitars). I've been shipping primarily through USPS and have been very lucky, I suppose. Knock on wood!!!

I'd be interested to hear more from guys who send Greyhound to ship steels.

steve t

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Sorry to hear of your shipping problems, Don.

There are "horror stories" from every shipping company. You take your chance with them all.

Every time I ship something I worry until it arrives at the destination.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

ajm · From: Los Angeles

Was this a pedal steel, or a "regular" guitar? (Unless I missed it, it wasn't stated.)

Was it shipped in a case, or a cardboard box?

Regardless, IMO all the more reason to have it shipped "Hold for pick up".

And some photos of the box when you drop it off at the shipper would be a good idea, too.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

And many pictures of the packing process.
All three major carriers try to defend claims by insisting the article was inadequately packed, and many are. A forum member sent me a Fender head with no internal bracing, a wrap of bubble wrap, and a single-wall cardboard wrap (it wasn't a proper box).
With adequate bracing (internal bracing is more crucial than padding: reinforcing is security) and padding, any package can travel secure.
But document the packaging process, because sh*t WILL happen.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

That's one of 2 reasons why I will never buy ANY instrument that has to be shipped. If I am interested in something, I wait until there is one for sale within a few hours drive. That's how I bought both my steels. Plus, I gotta try before I buy.
_________________
A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.

Chris Harvey · From: California, USA

I refuse to use UPS. I had a Sho-Bud amp delivered to a formumite that was destroyed, and a guitar that was luckily not injured do to some extra bubble wrap.

I exclusively use FedEx Pack and Ship now. They pack it, and insure the packing. Much easier for a claim of need be. I've never had anything damaged FedEx.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I'll add this into the mix, for displeasure.

A couple of months ago I was expecting and waiting on a FED EX delivery. Not a Steel guitar. The package was indeed in my area per the tracking but it was late. Each day it said it was in the area but NOT OUT for delivery. After several calls to Fed EX they finally told me what was going on, they passed the package off to the Post Office (USPS) and were now claiming they were the problem.

The Fed Ex woman actually said to me " we did our job, we got the package to Charlotte ".

The package finally arrived about 7 days later.

Pick your poison.

I hate that anyone has a shipping issue but I guess I have been fortunate. Like others here, I "extreme" pack for either Fed Ex or UPS and have never had any damage issues with Steel Guitars, and I am talking about over 16 years and probably 20 Steels. Several this year alone.

My biggest concern is not damage, it's loss.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

I think packing technique is the biggest issue.

A steel guitar is a heavy beast and even a small drop can cause some large forces to develop.

The single most important thing IMO is bracing the partition between the rack and body areas. it is far weaker than most assume.

That helps the case survive minor impacts. Not much will save anything from a five foot drop into concrete.

Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

Where I live, FEDEX is by far the worst having dropped a box of electronics over a six-foot fence, left extremely valuable packages on the sidewalk, and delivered product to the wrong address... new employees trying to haul ass.
Whatever the delivery method, your at the mercy of an employee that can fubar the delivery at any leg of the trip. The UPS drivers in my town are long-time employees and real good--no telling what happens in a warehouse hub along the way though.
_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic