Shipping an instrument in January

[Woodswalker]

Hi, another question about shipping a mandola to Norway (ebay sale): Is it dangerous to ship during cold weather? Will it be exposed to freezing temps during shipping? Is it better if I tell my buyer to wait a few months?

[Smyrna5]

I can't speak for international sales, but I have bought at least one ukulele in the winter that was shipped from the Northern US to Georgia. I was lucky the body did not crack because it sat in the post office somewhere for a week, in who knows what temperature and humidity? When I got it the frets were very sharp from being dried out and exposed.

I doubt your buyer will be happy waiting months for delivery, but its worth a shot to ask.

[Folkmusician.com]

Winter is the peak for instrument sales and all shops around the world have them shipped in. It is normal to ship in Jan.

[Dave Sheets]

One bit of advice often quoted is to allow the packaged instrument to warm up slowly in the house (overnight?) before opening the packaging around the instrument to avoid a thermal shock that that can crack finishes- Can anyone comment on how critical this is? Waiting to open the package before opening it certainly can't do any harm.

[Folkmusician.com]

Allowing the package to acclimate is highly recommended if there is a large temperature difference between the package and the air temp.

Well actually the instrument temp.... If the instrument is in a case, inside a box and was only out in the cold for a few minutes, the box might be cold but the instrument insn't... That could go either way. Just use good judgement.

And yes, I have witnessed finishs cracks appear before my eyes.... It does happen!

[DaveGinNJ]

Hi, another question about shipping a mandola to Norway (ebay sale): Is it dangerous to ship during cold weather? Will it be exposed to freezing temps during shipping? Is it better if I tell my buyer to wait a few months?

With the Polar Vortex it might be colder in Philly than it is in Norway! I would imagine it is only going to be exposed to outside temperatures for brief periods of time. I would wrap it in insulating materials to limit the temperature drop. Foam, bubble wrap should do the trick and you were probably going to use them anyway

[Jim Franey]

Wait 24 hours before opening!
I have shipped 50 guitars and some Mandolins !
Yljudt last week a guitar going east through CHi town 23 below zero made it just fine ! He waiting
24 hours no problem!!
Justmy 2 cents 🤘