Official Luthiers Forum!

I was wondering if anyone has had experience shipping USPS Priority which they claim is 2 day delivery most places. Do they guarantee 2 day delivery, or better yet, have you found that they are good on the 2 day claim. How have they handled your packages. any claims?

Thanks,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

I think with Priority they usually say 2-3 day, and it's not a guaranteed delivery time as I understand it. Someone told me once they basically sub out their Priority mail to FedEx, but I don't know for sure if that's really the case. I have found that it usually is pretty quick, I like to use it when I sell things on eBay.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

It's usually within the 2-3 day range from my experience.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Actually Shop Fox is a brand name owned by Woodstock International.They,along with brands such as Palmgren,Grizzly,Delta,and more buy their base castings from China.What makes the differance is what is bolted onto the main casting. They all look very similar. Here's an article(review) for the Shop Fox...jointersDaveAndy38940.5747685185

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Sorry,I don't know how this happened,But My above post don't belong here obviously.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Greg,
I ship 3-5 packages a week, usually through priority USPS.

As stated above, they DO NOT guarantee 2 day delivery, but 2-3 days. I achieve 95-99% delivery in 2 days anywhere in the states.
In most cases, the savings will convince a customer to accept the possibility of an extra day.

If they want it guaranteed in 2 or less, I have the best luck with Fed Ex.

I ship UPS only as a last resort, since I've seen a lot of damaged packaging after they handled it.

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

Chris,
In our experience, FedEx (and UPS, which we used to use) is far more reliable than Priority mail -which is probably why they do not guarantee shipments. They offer numerous other advantages as well.
For most people, using Priority will be substantially less expensive, but because we have a contract with FedEx, the prices are comparable.
We've never heard that USPS uses FedEx for Priority mail shipments. We'll look into it.
Chris -LMI

So, have any of you guys used USPS Priority Mail to ship a guitar?

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

[QUOTE=Michael McBroom] So, have any of you guys used USPS Priority Mail to ship a guitar?
Michael
[/QUOTE]

Yes, probably 1/3 of my guitar shipments go priority.

No claims,(from any service), in over 15 years.
(Gotta love that bubble wrap )

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

    I use ups for most domestic shipping with good results. USPS service is also relyable though if you need to file a claim well that may take a long time 30 days before you can file for something that is lost and then that process can take 30 to 90 days to clear.
I have filed 3 claims with UPS in the last 2 years and they were finalized within a few days. I have used usps for international shipping and with good results.
john hall
blues creek guitars

So if I had to get an instument from the East coast to the West coast in 4 days, shipping on a Monday to arrive no later than Friday of the same week via USPS Priority, would you feel comfortable that it would make it in time? Or would UPS ground guaranteed 4 days be a safer option, UPS would leave no room for error if anything happened though as 4 days puts it there on Friday.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

I ship almost every guitar I make via USPS. Mainly overnight service, but sometimes priority mail as well. I ALWAYS get delivery confirmation. I've never had a guitar damaged with USPS. I've had one guitar almost totally destroyed with UPS....it's back together but it looks like crap. (but still sounds awesome :) )

So yeah I dig USPS...plus my aunt is a postmaster genral... :)

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Is USPS overnight guaranteed?

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Gwaltney Guitars

[QUOTE=GregG] Is USPS overnight guaranteed?[/QUOTE]

Yes. And they give you a time it will be there and if it is not there by then you get your money back. with full insurance and shipping it normally works out to about $100. MUCH cheaper than most overnight, fully insured, larger package rates you'll find elsewhere.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

You guys who use FedEx or somebody besides USPS -- how do you get them to insure your guitars for full value? That's what's always been a stumbling block for me.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Hesh
Is it because of your software that my guitars get lost in the mail?????

JOKE!!!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

[QUOTE=Michael McBroom] You guys who use FedEx or somebody besides USPS -- how do you get them to insure your guitars for full value? That's what's always been a stumbling block for me.

Best,

Michael
[/QUOTE]

Since FedEx has all the caveats re: instruments, I finally went with the Heritage Insurance that covers my shop tools and supplies, other guitars on premises for repair, instruments consigned to a dealer AND shipping of instruments. They have a $500 deductible, so I just get the $500 amount on FedEx and will let the shop insurance cover the balance if need be. By NOT fully declaring the FedEx shipments, I reduce those costs by more than enough to pay the annual Heritage premium.
I have also used the USPS Priority and have had no problems with it. Usually ship wood that way and it is about 1/3 the price of the "other guys"...especially when going over seas. May take a couple days longer, but the cost savings is worth it.

Hank

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Hank Mauel

[QUOTE=Michael McBroom] You guys who use FedEx or somebody besides USPS -- how do you get them to insure your guitars for full value? That's what's always been a stumbling block for me.

Best,

Michael
[/QUOTE]

It seems to me that this is the place where a policy w/ Heritage would save your heinney.... IIRC Paul Woolson has had first hand experience with this....

[sorry... posted this before I read Hank's comments... ]
Brock Poling38941.5241550926

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com