franzbassist Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Recommendations please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 All as good or bad as each other. Buy a separate stand-alone insurance policy to go with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 9 minutes ago, fretmeister said: Buy a separate stand-alone insurance policy to go with it. Thanks, and where might one buy such a thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 IME each courier service is only as good as the weakest link in the chain which generally tends to be either the collection or delivery depot/driver. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymdtzx Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 All of my recent bass purchases have been shipped by Parcelforce. Although they all arrived safely, but as a receiver, not being able to track when they arrive at your doorstep in real time is painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 I was given this fellas details but the cost depends on how many other collections en route. [Name] Tim the Courier [Mobile] 07873 401907 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Have had success with parcelforce. No hassles with the length of the case (for some couriers it's too long). Even managed a delivery to a remote part of Scotland with no problems. Worse ever was Hermes, now called Evri I believe. It's still the same company and if the name is the only thing that's changed I wouldn't touch them with a hazmat suit on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 The thing to watch out for (which is basically a scam) if you go with ParcelForce etc directly is that they will happily charge you for insurance but by their own wording, "musical instruments are excluded from enhanced compensation" (https://www.parcelforce.com/help-and-advice/sending/items-we-exclude-compensation). I've been using Overland Express - https://www.overlandexpress.co.uk/musical-instrument-courier - who partner with ParcelForce, DHL, etc; but importantly the difference is that they will insure musical instruments. It's about £40 to send on a 24-hour service within UK with £1000 of insurance. Best to read their T&C yourself, but to qualify for insurance you need to send the bass in a hard case, inside a cardboard box. Take photos of the whole packing process, and ask the recipient also to take photos when the bass arrives. I haven't had to make any claim myself but the recommendation came from another basschatter who had used customer service and reported that they did make a proper effort to resolve any issues. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 DPD, always use DPD. They're the only courier who always turn up on time, and whose tracking always works. Others shipping stuff to me use every courier known to man, with entirely predictable (and usually unhappy) results. I've used only DPD for the last five years when shipping stuff to others, and I have yet to encounter a problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Secursus for independent insurance. Much cheaper and seem to be sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 I use UPS (they have a drop off near me, so I'm not waiting in all day for collection) with Secursus protection added separately. Normally works out at about £40 in total. No problem yet, I'm not selling much compared to some but obviously until a problem happens I still can't 100% be sure. For now it's the best I can get to reassure myself. As BigredX said, it's all down to the weakest link, which could be anyone at any company any of the time. At least with this way I know the guy at the drop off but from there it's pot luck really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 18 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: DPD, always use DPD. They're the only courier who always turn up on time, and whose tracking always works. Others shipping stuff to me use every courier known to man, with entirely predictable (and usually unhappy) results. I've used only DPD for the last five years when shipping stuff to others, and I have yet to encounter a problem. I agree DPD are great for the recipient with their accurate live tracking - but as a sender, I can never get their website to accept a bass-sized package (e.g. 8kg, 130 x 50 x 20cm). I just looked it up, and https://www.dpdlocal-online.co.uk/help-centre/parcels/question/pricing/what-are-the-size-restrictions-of-the-dpd-local-online-services says "Max length: 100cm". How are you doing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 5 hours ago, Boodang said: Have had success with parcelforce. No hassles with the length of the case (for some couriers it's too long). Even managed a delivery to a remote part of Scotland with no problems. Worse ever was Hermes, now called Evri I believe. It's still the same company and if the name is the only thing that's changed I wouldn't touch them with a hazmat suit on. I could have written this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 43 minutes ago, jrixn1 said: I agree DPD are great for the recipient with their accurate live tracking - but as a sender, I can never get their website to accept a bass-sized package (e.g. 8kg, 130 x 50 x 20cm). I just looked it up, and https://www.dpdlocal-online.co.uk/help-centre/parcels/question/pricing/what-are-the-size-restrictions-of-the-dpd-local-online-services says "Max length: 100cm". How are you doing it? I say Length = 100cm and the courier never even mentions it when he arrives. 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 (edited) Ah, I see. Could work some of the time. FWIW I've been pulled up by ParcelForce for having the wrong dimensions. (Edit: Actually I'm doing myself a disservice - pretty sure my dimensions were correct; they claimed I was wrong and would have to pay a fee before they delivered it; I asked for a photo of their measurements and a copy of my order showing my declared dimensions; they never replied and did finally go ahead and deliver the item. The point is that some carriers might sometimes check - just something to bear in mind if underdeclaring.) Edited July 20, 2023 by jrixn1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 8 minutes ago, jrixn1 said: Ah, I see. Could work some of the time. FWIW I've been pulled up by ParcelForce for having the wrong dimensions. (Edit: Actually I'm doing myself a disservice - pretty sure my dimensions were correct; they claimed I was wrong and would have to pay a fee before they delivered it; I asked for a photo of their measurements and a copy of my order showing my declared dimensions; they never replied and did finally go ahead and deliver the item. The point is that some carriers might sometimes check - just something to bear in mind if underdeclaring.) I had the same form UPS once, they said they'd cover the extra fee so not to worry, but I wonder if they realised that they were in fact wrong after all as it was measured properly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 I bought a bass where the seller wouldn't book the courier but agreed to pack. They sent the wrong dimensions and ended up having to pay a significant fee (about £40 IIRC). Get it right or deal with the consequences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Some basses can be shortened by removing the neck (or so I'm led to believe...). It's no fun couriering a drum kit, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyratm Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 3 hours ago, Owen said: Secursus for independent insurance. Much cheaper and seem to be sound. I’d never heard of them! Ta! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 21 hours ago, franzbassist said: Thanks, and where might one buy such a thing? Secursus They don't cover ebay / reverb stuff, but for forums and other private non"marketplace" things they do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Assume they're all awful, and package accordingly... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 (edited) On 20/07/2023 at 13:08, Dad3353 said: Some basses can be shortened by removing the neck (or so I'm led to believe...). It's no fun couriering a drum kit, either. The last bass I posted (fairly recently) I did just this.. Took the neck off and packaged it all up very securely, I always go belt and braces with packing. I declared it as "luthier component parts" which technically it was (particularly as there was a bag of "bits" in there too) to have a fighting chance if it went sideways and I had to claim. Obvious if its a complete "guitar" they automatically wriggle out as we know. It went Parcelforce 48 collected from me, tho the collection time was cutting it a bit fine as it was finally picked up abut 6.30 pm and I was wondering if they'd turn up at all. It arrived with the recipient fine with no issues luckily anyway. BTW.. I booked it online directly with RM Parcelforce Edited July 22, 2023 by Waddo Soqable 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramski Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 There is a thread here which may help with options - https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/480215-courier-alternative-man-n-van/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 That's the one. If you dont mind spending a bit extra ( 55 quid ) for sending a bass, then Lenspeed are brilliant. Used them 3 times now. You get the owner when you phone or message them. They dont require a hard case, and they dont require a cardboard box. Just a gig bag will do, and you're fully insured. You'll get texts from his driver on impending delivery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 Just an addendum. I just recently sold a bass that wasnt considered that valuable ( 200 quid ) so decided not to use Lenspeed. I tried Send My Bag, who in my case, sent Parcel Force. I gave info on the SMB booking form that it was a bass, and they accepted this as they have their own insurance. A hard case wasnt needed, just bomb proof packing. Handy since i dont have hard cases. PF turned up on time, and the bass was delivered on time ( 48 hour with tracking ) That cost 28 quid, including 4 quid extra insurance to take cover to 200 quid. I'd certainly use SMB again, for inexpensive music gear. Anything valuable i would use Lenspeed again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.