Shipping a guitar from the UK to Europe (France/Germany)

[-Shaun-]

I'm currently selling off some guitars and I've had quite a bit of interest from some chaps in France and Germany.

Has anyone here shipped a guitar to Europe? Any advice on where to go for the cheapest and safest service?

I'm a bit lost as all the quotes I've had are £185+ which seems quite high. Any pointers would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[FELINEGUITARS]

UPS , FED Ex and similar companies are really expensive but your item is tracked the whole way.
Insurance costs you more as well.

Also have a look at EZDelivery.co.uk

[kevinr]

Check out Fastlane International, I have used them many times and I think that they are about the cheapest, and they pick up from anywhere in the UK

[Philly Q]

Try www.parcel2go.com.

They'll give you a number of quotes from DHL, FedEx, Parcelforce etc, and there's usually a wide price range.

I sold a guitar to a guy in Germany a few months ago and I think it was less than £50 including insurance.

[-Shaun-]

Great! Thank you all so much!

parcel2go.com is bloody cheap  :D

[Philly Q]

One thing to watch out for - I think it says somewhere in the terms and conditions that they'll only insure electric guitars up to a maximum value of £100.  But they'll still let you pay for higher amounts of cover!  :o :lol:

Not sure what the legal position would be if you ever had to make a claim (I haven't had to, touch wood...).

[FELINEGUITARS]

Try www.parcel2go.com.

They'll give you a number of quotes from DHL, FedEx, Parcelforce etc, and there's usually a wide price range.

I sold a guitar to a guy in Germany a few months ago and I think it was less than £50 including insurance.

Yes - with all these companies like UPS, Fed Ex etc the cost of each transaction falls the more you send/spend
So if you send 100 parcels then each one is much cheaper

The cheaper companies we've listed effectively have a bulk contact with DHL or Fed Ex and by lots of people using their service they are getting good rates, and pass on a better rate than you would get by going direct

[-Shaun-]

One thing to watch out for - I think it says somewhere in the terms and conditions that they'll only insure electric guitars up to a maximum value of £100.  But they'll still let you pay for higher amounts of cover!  :o :lol:

Not sure what the legal position would be if you ever had to make a claim (I haven't had to, touch wood...).

"Guitars - maximum parcel compensation value for damages is £100, up to £1000 compensation for lost items. Guitars must be sent in a hard case."

Hmm, that is a bit annoying! I guess I'll just have to pack it like its entering WW3! Fingers crossed it will be fine  :?

Should add about £23, so its still way cheaper than anything else I've seen.

[Philly Q]

One thing to watch out for - I think it says somewhere in the terms and conditions that they'll only insure electric guitars up to a maximum value of £100.  But they'll still let you pay for higher amounts of cover!  :o :lol:

Not sure what the legal position would be if you ever had to make a claim (I haven't had to, touch wood...).

"Guitars - maximum parcel compensation value for damages is £100, up to £1000 compensation for lost items. Guitars must be sent in a hard case."

Hmm, that is a bit annoying! I guess I'll just have to pack it like its entering WW3! Fingers crossed it will be fine  :?

Ah, OK, so it was limited to £100 for damage, but still worth insuring in case of loss.

The guitar I sent was an SG - famously weak neck joint! - and it was only in a gigbag, but I did double-box it.  It got there safely!

[HairyChris]

Another fan of Parcel2Go here. Recently sent a guitar to one of the Nordics and saved ~80 quid over any other quote.

[Matt77]

interparcel.com is another broker service that is good for getting a quote from a number of the larger carriers
I have sent guitars to Bulgaria using them with no issues.

[Twinfan]

I've used Interparcel quite a few times and they've been spot on.  No £100 maximum for guitars, I think their limit is £1000 for anything...

[gordiji]

shaun, i've bought 3 guitars in the last 3 years from the uk and had them all shipped to france.(ups,fed x,dhl)
            it's been about 100quid fully insured(1000) from a private vendor or 40quid from a dealer.
            they all arrive safe and well, as does just  about anything posted from uk to france.
            hard case is well advised. do remember that people from france buy in the uk because it's still cheaper
            even with 10% or so for p&p.
            e bay france is cr@p for used guitars, little choice and ambitious prices.
             i'll try the cheaper options posted above next time