Posting A Guitar Abroad

darrenw5094

Does have anyone have any experience of posting guitars to buyers overseas.
I sent one this morning by An Post to Spain and with registered post with tracking number cost €81. The insurance value maximum is only €150. It's real value is about €1000.

Are there any other couriers that could cover this at a reasonable price and give full insurance value?

Doctor J

I've sent a couple of basses (heavier and bigger box) to England and one to hungary recently fully insured. Hungary was €130ish IIRC with a company called Irfurtar. Used UPS for the two to England, they were about €90 or so. I wouldn't ship a guitar of that value without it being insured. If something happens in transit with this then you are truly ****ed.

Voodu Child

Yeah, i'd echo that sentiment.

Even if you make sure the buyer knows that he's taking the risk (and I hope you have explained that to him etc), its still a lousy situation to be in if anything goes wrong. I'd never ship anything of high-value without having it insured.

I should note that a lot of these shipping companies will wriggle out of insurance claims, some of them are notorious for it. But even then, at least you can wash your hands of any 'blame' and know that you've done everything possible for the buyer.

Quattroste

I've used An Post for a couple of guitars including a Gibson Les Paul to Holland. No problems but thinking about it now I probably should have had it insured.

dubdoyle

I wouldn't send anything of serious Value without the Insurance, although it's a cost it's also Peace of Mind
DHL Road is a Good Service for Europe and is Not to Bad on Price, Cheaper than Air but obviously longer Del time
I sold a €3k Lowden on ebay to the UK the Other Day for a good friend and Shipping was €18 Next Day Delivery and €45 to insure for the Full Value
Well worth the Peace of Mind for signed delivery as well

If your Selling on ebay just build it in to the cost for the Buyer, sometimes the shipping cost can put buyers off but if there serious they'll Pay

We seem to be very expensive for shipping here, you can get gear shipped from say Germany/holland etc to Ireland for a fraction of the price we pay :mad:

Doctor J

voodoo_child wrote: »

Even if you make sure the buyer knows that he's taking the risk (and I hope you have explained that to him etc), its still a lousy situation to be in if anything goes wrong. I'd never ship anything of high-value without having it insured.

That's it exactly. Did you explain to the buyer that the guitar they paid you a grand for isn't insured? Did they agree to it?

darrenw5094

Nope. I took a chance, whick looking back at it now, that was a bit crazy.
I have a bit of faith in the postal services and hopefully the Spanish one is ok.

The next option up with An Post was a courier for about €180, but only insured for about €350. I didn't think that it was worth the extra €100, as i was the one who would have to pay for that.

From now on, the specialised couriers, like DHL, UPS etc.
If this goes wrong, i am screwed alright, or someone is screwed.