Shipping a bass to Europe?

[2elliot]

I'm looking into shipping options for sending a bass to Belgium.  Has anyone recently posted a bass into Europe and if so, who did you use and did everything go according to plan? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

[BlueMoon]

DPD would be my recommendation.

[Hellzero]

Trouble free shipping is UPS or FedEx when it comes to international shipping wherever you are located: I know it's more expensive, but you can trust them.

 

DPD wouldn't be my recommendation at all, too many issues with them like parcels touring Europe before delivery, and lost or damaged parcels are their routine.

[fretmeister]

TBH I think most of the couriers are pretty similar.

Apart from Evri. Absolute tossers. Of course Parcel Force won't insure instruments properly even if you buy their own additional cover.

 

Whatever you do, get proper insurance. Third party insurance can be better.

 

Hardcase and then loads of bubble wrap and then a double walled box. Take photos of the entire packing process for future evidence needs. If it's a bolt on, think about taking the neck off to reduce the chance of damage. No matter how you pack it, some jobsworth will claim you didn't do it well enough - so completely over-do it!

[Bolo]

Just hand it to Nguyen on the Oostende ferry and it'll be fine. 

Expect a call in the future from someone redeeming a 'favor'.

[Hellzero]

As @fretmeister said, and of course always document your packing process with photos that you send to the recipient and keep records of all photos of the instruments before shipping for insurance purposes, so you can confirm its condition.

 

I've literally sent hundreds of parcels worldwide with only two problems: A stolen parcel in the unlocked French Post delivery van and a totally damaged parcel by Parcel Force.

 

Both were fully insured and fully reimbursed after a full inquiry.

 

In fact, making a real bomb proof parcel takes a lot of time as nothing must be able to move, and everything must be highly protected.

 

At the moment, DPD has lost a parcel I was waiting and has misdirected parcels so many times that's it's ridiculous.

 

And remember that the cheapest courier is certainly not the best.

[walshy]

UPS or FEDEX are the only option I use for VBR stuff. Wouldn't trust anyone else

[BlueMoon]

Since the OP mentioned Belgium as the destination I feel obliged to communicate that I am currently pursuing a case of commercial misconduct against FedEx Benelux. I’ll spare everybody the details, but needless to say it involved fraudulent activity on behalf of that courier company and loss/theft of the package. It’s being investigated and it is separately insured.

 

By way of sharing my “Belgian” experience, I have found GLS is sloppy overall, UPS poorly served in Flemish district and BPost (the national equivalent to Royal Mail) is slow, but steady. DPD has a clean sheet with me at present and I have no affiliation or special “fufu” dust to sprinkle to ensure that it stays that way.

 

As others have mentioned, ensure adequate insurance and record every action involved. Having a comprehensive dossier to present to the police, courier investigators etc should assist comprehensive follow up.

 

Good luck whoever you choose.

[Hellzero]

Here is the condition of the misdirected parcel, so a day later, that I received from DPD today, here in the South of Belgium.

 

It left the Music Store warehouse totally intact 3 days ago.

 

And it's always like that: They simply don't give a shìt about the parcels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No comment!

 

Thankfully, there was no damage to the master keyboard inside.

 

They are the only courier with which I have these problems over here and I also have lodged a complaint for the lost/stolen parcel, of course.

[ghostwheel]

9 hours ago, Hellzero said:

FedEx

The worst one in Germany. The courier will ask to pay their expenses and custom fees in cash (no credit cards, no PayPal, nothing else but cash) and then be sending invoices for the same sum every now and then. Those responsible for the mess cannot be reached by phone nor by e-mail. The other ones answering phone calls will know nothing and be unable to do anything. But of course, they will be very sorry, the bastards. Then, a couple of months later, there will be some stupid guy asking per e-mail for one's IBAN "to make sure that everything has been paid properly." Then they'll hopefully sod off and go touch grass. Bloody scammers. 

[Downunderwonder]

What happened to DHL? They carried the last bass I got from the US very professionally.

[Hellzero]

Just to make you think about it, DPD is a branch of the French Post and DHL is a branch of the German Post...

 

I don't think there is anything else to say.

[fretmeister]

11 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

What happened to DHL? They carried the last bass I got from the US very professionally.

 

I don't think I've ever ad a problem with them either. Certainly in recent memory everything big I've got from the US has come via them.

 

Little stuff seems to be passed over to Evri (urgh)