Shipping a mandolin

[cheshirecat]

Hi all..
I have to ship my mandolin to the folks at Weber for repair.
How should I pack it to keep it from getting bumped around?
Also, any advice on who to ship it with (i.e. U.P.S. Fed Ex)
would be appreciated. How much can I expect to pay for shipping?
Thanks for any input you can offer...
Caroline http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Jacob]

Gruhn's Guide to Packing Your Instrument for Shipping (http://www.gruhn.com/features/packing/)

[Coy Wylie]

I shipped one last month via fedex for $37 insured... depends on how you value it.

[Lee]

Willards price is about right.
Hint: If you can, have Weber ship it to your work address. UPS and FedEx seem to make less mistakes with industrial adresses.

[cheshirecat]

Thanks for your help everyone.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[wolfsong]

I would stay away from fedex I overnighted a mando and after 5
day running around the country side finally got it.

[Coy Wylie]

I would stay away from fedex I overnighted a mando and after 5
day running around the country side finally got it.
Oh don't say that! I've got a Weber coming by Fedex overnight tonight. It's supposed to be held at the local station for my by 10:30 tomorrow morning.

[August Watters]

FedEx does a good job most of the time. Problem is, their insurance was a disaster until recently -- now they've made it impossible. They changed their insurance policies to specifically exclude musical instruments over a certain amount (I think $1000). To get insurance for a good mandolin, they referred me to another company that does this for them -- any no one answered the phone at the number they gave me! I never use FedEx anymore, since it appears there is no way to insure a mandolin with them.

UPS is similar with shipping -- pretty reliable, but if there's a problem they'll likely fight you to avoid honoring insurance claims, regardless of their merits.

US mail works well for me -- registered mail gets careful special attention, and is much cheaper than the other carriers. Even Priority Mail seems to be pretty reliable, and so far packages have arrived in good condition.

August Watters
http://www.galleryofstrings.com

[Coy Wylie]

Fedex did well. My Weber arrived at the station at promptly 8:43 this morning. It was in my hands being tuned up by 9:15.

[cheshirecat]

Thanks again for the advice. My mandolin is now on its way to Weber.. Should be home with me in a few weeks...At least I have a Sweet Pea to practice on... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif