Telperion
Well-known member
Hello, Everyone. I just wanted to make a quick post to share my recent/current experience with shipping and traveling with a uke. There have been many threads over the years with members expressing fears of shipping (particularly overseas), and also with air travel and the potential for problems with security, gate checking, overhead space, etc. I recently purchased a newer Martin 3K from a UU member in Austalia and had it shipped to the U.S. I wasn't expecting it to arrive very quickly, and was surprised to see it arrive in only a week. In fact, it arrived the day before I had a business trip to Ireland, so I said, "what the hell," and I grabbed it and brought it with me to Ireland. I carried it on in a nice padded gig bag, and I'm currently in my hotel looking out at the ocean, playing this lovely little Martin.
So, it's been smooth so far, and I am very happy to have a nice uke with me on a work related trip I wasn't particularly excited about in the first place. I would encourage people to overcome their fears, and not let the location of a uke dissuade you from purchasing. Just use a fast shipping rate, make sure it gets well packed, and give it time to acclimate before unpacking it. I've now successfully shipped ukes to Argentina, the U.K., Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada, and I've received them from many locations too. I know there is some real risk, but I've yet to have a serious problem. As far as travel, I'm sure there are circumstances that just don't make sense, but on this particular trip, I didn't have anyone even raise an eyebrow over my carry-on uke.
-Steve
So, it's been smooth so far, and I am very happy to have a nice uke with me on a work related trip I wasn't particularly excited about in the first place. I would encourage people to overcome their fears, and not let the location of a uke dissuade you from purchasing. Just use a fast shipping rate, make sure it gets well packed, and give it time to acclimate before unpacking it. I've now successfully shipped ukes to Argentina, the U.K., Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada, and I've received them from many locations too. I know there is some real risk, but I've yet to have a serious problem. As far as travel, I'm sure there are circumstances that just don't make sense, but on this particular trip, I didn't have anyone even raise an eyebrow over my carry-on uke.
-Steve