Shipping question

roxhum · Aug 19, 2011

I have a question about shipping ukuleles. I have always double boxed ukuleles when shipping and almost always received ukes double boxed. One time I got a uke in the one uke box and it freaked me out a bit, but the uke was safe and sound. So my question is if it is safe if you package the uke with foam and bubble wrap (no uke case) in the uke box or if you should always double box. The uke in question will be shipped from the west coast of USA to the east coast so it is traveling a bit of a distance but at least it is not international. What are your thoughts...

gyosh · Aug 19, 2011

This is a Kamoa solid mahogany pineapple I received today shipped in a single box with bubble wrap and styro peanuts. Just sayin . . .

Chap · Aug 19, 2011

On the other hand, packing materials are relatively cheap insurance.

RichM · Aug 19, 2011

Double box. It's not much more effort, shouldn't impact the shipping cost much, and makes your uke much, much safer. I also believe UPS and FedEx may give you trouble should you need to file a claim if you don't double box.

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Aug 19, 2011

I think time in transit is at least as important as packing method and materials. Fewer hands, fewer stops, faster routes. I ship everything USPS Express Mail. Delivery time is within 24 hours in the continental US.

roxhum · Aug 19, 2011

gyosh said:
This is a Kamoa solid mahogany pineapple I received today shipped in a single box with bubble wrap and styro peanuts. Just sayin . . .

View attachment 27188

What's the saying? A picture tells a 100 words

Hippie Dribble · Aug 19, 2011

Roxie just make sure the uke is stable in the box...that, when you shake it gently there is no sign of any movement. Of course, double boxing is better, but I have received several ukes that had no case, nor were double boxed and they arrived fine. I also agree with Chuck; go the quickest shipping option you can afford to avoid delays. Really, provided the top, back and sides are well padded little should go wrong. Oh, insure it too!!!

roxhum · Aug 19, 2011

eugene ukulele said:
Roxie just make sure the uke is stable in the box...that, when you shake it gently there is no sign of any movement. Of course, double boxing is better, but I have received several ukes that had no case, nor were double boxed and they arrived fine. I also agree with Chuck; go the quickest shipping option you can afford to avoid delays. Really, provided the top, back and sides are well padded little should go wrong. Oh, insure it too!!!

Thanks Jon! Ya no that little Black Bear I got from you is my favorite!!!

shrink9 · Aug 19, 2011

I know that this doesn't pertain to ukuleles but it seems fitting given the topic. Just this week I received a hammered dulcimer (the trapazoidal-shaped instrument) that had been sent through a UPS store. To my dismay, they had not boxed it whatsoever!!!!!! It was shipped in the velcro'd nylon case that is used to transport it to/from jams/workshops. BUT NO BOX OR OTHER PROTECTION!!!!!

Believe it or not, there was no damage done to the dulcimer. I just tuned it up and it was ready to play. Go figure!

Allen

Nuprin · Aug 19, 2011

If I'm shipping a uke in a hard case, I'll just use one box with lots of packing material around the case. If it's in anything less than a hard case, double boxing is the way to go.

shrink9 said:
I know that this doesn't pertain to ukuleles but it seems fitting given the topic. Just this week I received a hammered dulcimer (the trapazoidal-shaped instrument) that had been sent through a UPS store. To my dismay, they had not boxed it whatsoever!!!!!! It was shipped in the velcro'd nylon case that is used to transport it to/from jams/workshops. BUT NO BOX OR OTHER PROTECTION!!!!!

Believe it or not, there was no damage done to the dulcimer. I just tuned it up and it was ready to play. Go figure!

Allen

A similar thing happened to the store I work at. We let someone rent a classical guitar. They were going to be in town for a couple of days and wanted a guitar to play. We gave them a gigbag for it for a little protection. A few days later, the UPS guy showed up carrying it in the gigbag. They had shipped it from Massachusetts with absolutely no box, no packing materials...nothing. Amazingly, there was no damage. Sometimes you get lucky.

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Aug 19, 2011

Nuprin said:
If I'm shipping a uke in a hard case, I'll just use one box with lots of packing material around the case. If it's in anything less than a hard case, double boxing is the way to go.

Agreed. I've mentioned this before but this reminds me of my buddy here who received an uke shipped from Japan in the hard-shell case alone. No box, simply taped a label to it an duct taped the latches. Not recommended but it arrived fine.

roxhum · Aug 19, 2011

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am going to be safe and double box.

Shipping question

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