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I always take my guitars to the local UPS Store and let them do all the packing. I do support the headstock and release string tension before I take it in. I watch them pack and give them suggestions which they always take. I ask them to have 3" between the case and the edge of the cardboard container.
It costs me more, about $70 total with insurance, to do it that way. I do it that way because I don't want them to claim that it was packed poorly. I have not had any trouble, but I suspect I will someday.

Does this seem like a good approach?

BTW - I have the buyer pay the shipping and I explain to them why it is more. I have never had anyone question it.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I've received guitars packed by UPS stores on occasion.
I thought the standard of packing was terrible. Basically, what came through the door at my end was an oversized box (very thin wall) filled with styrofoam peanuts, with a guitar (in case) settled to the bottom of the carton.
Throw a wrench in a box of cornflakes, shake- you get the idea.

Your UPS store may be better, and the fact that you supervise probably helps.

Often, shippers don't support the guitar properly in the case, and that's the start of problems. Obvious (and well-documented) things like putting thin foam between the strings and fingerboard to prevent fret damage are usually not done.

A UPS store employee told me that if I packed items myself, they should be able to withstand a 10-foot fall on to concrete. Gives you an idea of how shippers treat your treasures!

John

but the running over part is what makes me cringe

Steve, check with your UPS store, its my understanding that when you sign a package over to the UPS Store, which is not really part of UPS, you are giving up ownership if you will. Your name is not the name on the bill of lading, so if there is a problem with the shipment and you need to collect the insurance, the Store has to put the claim in and handle it. They are much less vested in your package then you are. Please double check before shipping through another agent like a UPS Store.

But have worked a Christmas with UPS, yes, package it like its going to be tossed off a dock. We were instructed to pitch the boxes out as fast as we could.

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Aoibeann

[QUOTE=JohnAbercrombie] .......Basically, what came through the door at my end was an oversized box (very thin wall) filled with styrofoam peanuts, with a guitar (in case) settled to the bottom of the carton.
Throw a wrench in a box of cornflakes, shake- you get the idea........[/QUOTE] They wrap the case in bubble wrap and make that about 3" thick all around, and then the fill the empty space with foam peanuts.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I worked for UPS unloading/loading trucks while I was in collage. Trust me you want pack and pack well as there is a log of abuse. Its not unusual for a package to be dropped, kicked, thown, stomped on, sat on, used as a prop for the rear doors, etc. PACK WELL!

I don't ship with UPS or Fedex. I have seen what they do and the atittude of many workers there. It's not pretty.
Do yourself a favor and use the USPS Registered 2 day Priority mail. Mail your guitar on a monday or tuesday so it doesn't sit around in a warehouse over a long weekend, pack it yourself and well. The cost is comparable to the other two.John How39058.4415046296

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

John,
Funny that I would have never thought about USPS for shipping a guitar.
I'll be sending one out in 2 weeks. I'll give them a try.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Steve, check my post on Michael's Fex Ex thread.

Paul,
Is this the one?

It seems that you don't have to pack it up as secure either. I suspect they would be easier to deal with if you ever had a claim.

[QUOTE=Pwoolson] It's a little known fact that the claims people are SUPPOSED to act this way. They will make it look like it's your fault on the slim chance that you will let it slide and they won't have to make a claim.
Michael, I'm glad to see that you actually lawyered up. It is, in many states, a crime to threaten legal action and not follow through with it. And these big companies know that so a persons threat can turn into a criminal action against them if they don't follow through with it.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.
UNITED STATED POSTAL SERVICE REGISTERED PRIORITY MAIL
It never touches an automated machine or conveyor belt. It's carried to and fro by a person that has signed a log saying he/she did so (so there's accountability). If it isn't actually moving in a truck or plane, it's is locked in a cage inside the post office. So it never sits on a dock or in a big brown heat box. Best of all, it's cheaper than any other carrier. This is because of the extra safety measures taken, thus insurance is very inexpensive. The maximum size you can ship is 108" length plus girth and most standard guitar boxes are 105". The seams all have to be sealed with paper tape and no plastic tape can be used on the box. this is so they can date stamp all of the seams as a "tamper proof" type security measure. I've never had to make a claim but then the boxes don't have so much as a dented corner when they arrive. It's worth the hassle. [/QUOTE]

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.