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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Best shipping company for a Baritone

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 11th 2:01 PM
I am in need of some advice here as to which is the best and cheapest shipping company for shipping a Baritone from the US to Down Under by Air.

Any ideas?

jjgold
User ID: 1669454 Nov 11th 3:04 PM
Boot...now what did you buy? I would try DHL to Australia.

MusicMedic
User ID: 7810373 Nov 11th 3:19 PM
I'm curious what you got also.
I've had good luck with DHL from Australia to the US. I always pick up the packages at the DHL station to skip the damage in the last leg of the delivery.

John Z
User ID: 8841313 Nov 11th 3:34 PM
I bought an Alto from Australia & it got here to Florida promptly, safe & sound. US Postal service on this end. They did collect $60 duty. But handling seemed gentle. Also had a baritone shipped from Texas to Florida. USPS again. No problems, & reasonable $$. The baritone was shipped in its original old case, which made it obvious what it was, & they could use the case handle to tote it. I think that worked better than a massive carton which might end up being on the bottom of the pile. If it an "amateur" doing the shipping, make sure they know to stuff the inside of the case with rags or whatnot to prevent movement.

OnyxSax
User ID: 9683713 Nov 11th 9:38 PM
I've had my Chu Tenor shipped from Florida to Maryland via UPS Ground and it arrived unscathed. We're now about to repeat the journey with my freshly restored Conn Chu Baritone. I'll let you know how it works out. I am hoping to have the Bari back in my hands by Thanksgiving.

I think how the horn is prepared for shipping is more important than who is actually shipping it.

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 12th 5:34 AM
I have used DHL before and they were good just that had some extra surprise shipping charges this end. A rude shock.

Postal service works well for the smaller saxes, but I have a feeling that there is a size limitation on packages being sent OS. It is actually dramatically cheaper to get a large instrument shipped from Europe than it is from the US and this is a greater distance. Very strange!

I'll keep you posted.

manofsteel
User ID: 9084913 Nov 13th 1:35 PM
Hi Boot,

I've got nothing but bad news here. I've used UPS and FedEx ground (their new service) and both have damaged the bari's being sent. They both have restrictions on the total size of the box dimensions (don't remember the figures, but they were identical). All I can say is PROTECT YOURSELF!!! Assume they will destroy the sax...then assume they will deny your insurance claim because YOU for improperly packaged the sax. My advice would be:

1. Buy insurance to cover the ENTIRE value of the horn.

2. Take detailed pictures of the horn AND the packing (the bubble wrap around the sax, the case, the peanuts around the case, etc). Use a ruler in the pictures to show you have the required amount of packing around the sax (find out what UPS/FedEx/DHL requires)

3. Use only a NEW, double wall constructed cardboard box. Take pictures of it to show that it has no dents.

4. Pray that the UPS guys don't let it fall off the conveyor belt.

5. Lastly, and most importantly, lower your expectations. Assume the sax will sustain at least $500 in damage. Anything less than that should be viewed as a positive. It's the only way to stay sane.

Sorry to sound so cynical, but I've had nothing but bad experiences with shipping/receiving bari's.

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 13th 1:41 PM
The last time I got a Bari from the US, it sustained more than $500 worth of damage. This was due to the poor packing inside the case to stop the Baritone moving and bending under it's own weight.

There is an option which I have received parcels from Europe with that now has offices across the US. We are checking into it at the moment.

.

Anji
User ID: 0519814 Nov 13th 7:10 PM
I believe you may wish to ship the case separately and use a two-part foam to encase the instrument. Rodney Marsh of Raleigh, NC turned me onto this method.

The bigger horns are less resistant to deflection than little horns, and this is the way he ships Baris as a result.

http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/instapak/default.htm

Some variant of this stuff MUST be available for one-time users. There is, of course, no substitute for a stout box.

The Jupiter saxes are shipped in particularly nice ones. Good call on taking LOTS of pictures for insurance!

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 15th 4:26 AM
Update, the company I have found is dramatically cheaper than any of the above mentioned companies. I have dealt with them before and they take excellent care of the instrument whilst it is shipped, they are a worldwide shipping company and their prices make the others look like rip off merchants.

More when everything has been confirmed.

Jeff Brody
User ID: 9447203 Nov 24th 7:20 PM
I've had good luck with BAX Global to and
from both Australia and Europe. Reasonably
priced and seem more careful than the others.

OnyxSax
User ID: 9683713 Nov 26th 8:21 PM
Despite their best efforts, UPS was not able to damage my bari when it shipped from Florida to Maryland. The box was a pretty sorry sight when I received it, but the superior packing job prevent any damage to the horn. Whew!

3Saxes
User ID: 6772333 Nov 26th 9:26 PM
Hindsight being 20/20 and all, leave your horn on stage on a sax stand....people drink at nightclubs, liability is questionable, you have to maintain responsibility of your horns, so keep them out of harms way. This may be an expensive lesson and one that will bear the scars of the ordeal indefinately, but NEVER take your horn for a stroll through a crowded bar...EVER!

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 26th 9:30 PM
Well the Baritone has arrived, except they managed to lose the shipping documents. It is currently sitting in Aussie customs awaiting clearance due to lack of paperwork which is currently being sourced from the US office. The US office seems to be rather unhelpful at the moment. The price was cheap, the cargo has arrived without damage but no paperwork. Apparently the paper work was lost between Australia and the stop over destination of China.

More when the package arrives.

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Dec 1st 5:12 AM
The package has arrived, there is some damage to the S bend area. I don't know what it is about these shipping companies damaging bigger horns in transit. It seems to be a pattern though as this is the second damaged Baritone here this year.

All the other horns seem to handle transportation pretty well though, just the bigger horns that get damaged.

CashSax
User ID: 9014973 Dec 1st 5:21 AM
Scares me too got a '25 Conn Tenor comin ups ground. I'm nervous. I should've had it sent Air Fedex, not so much handling. So far never a problem that way with many horns inc 2 Bari's.

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Dec 1st 2:01 PM
It seems that it is only the international departments of these shipping companies that manage to damage the instruments preoperly.

Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 11th 2:01 PM I am in need of some advice here as to which is the best and cheapest shipping company for shipping a Baritone from the US to Down Under by Air. Any ideas?
jjgold User ID: 1669454	Nov 11th 3:04 PM Boot...now what did you buy? I would try DHL to Australia.
MusicMedic User ID: 7810373	Nov 11th 3:19 PM I'm curious what you got also. I've had good luck with DHL from Australia to the US. I always pick up the packages at the DHL station to skip the damage in the last leg of the delivery.
John Z User ID: 8841313	Nov 11th 3:34 PM I bought an Alto from Australia & it got here to Florida promptly, safe & sound. US Postal service on this end. They did collect $60 duty. But handling seemed gentle. Also had a baritone shipped from Texas to Florida. USPS again. No problems, & reasonable $$. The baritone was shipped in its original old case, which made it obvious what it was, & they could use the case handle to tote it. I think that worked better than a massive carton which might end up being on the bottom of the pile. If it an "amateur" doing the shipping, make sure they know to stuff the inside of the case with rags or whatnot to prevent movement.
OnyxSax User ID: 9683713	Nov 11th 9:38 PM I've had my Chu Tenor shipped from Florida to Maryland via UPS Ground and it arrived unscathed. We're now about to repeat the journey with my freshly restored Conn Chu Baritone. I'll let you know how it works out. I am hoping to have the Bari back in my hands by Thanksgiving. I think how the horn is prepared for shipping is more important than who is actually shipping it.
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 12th 5:34 AM I have used DHL before and they were good just that had some extra surprise shipping charges this end. A rude shock. Postal service works well for the smaller saxes, but I have a feeling that there is a size limitation on packages being sent OS. It is actually dramatically cheaper to get a large instrument shipped from Europe than it is from the US and this is a greater distance. Very strange! I'll keep you posted.
manofsteel User ID: 9084913	Nov 13th 1:35 PM Hi Boot, I've got nothing but bad news here. I've used UPS and FedEx ground (their new service) and both have damaged the bari's being sent. They both have restrictions on the total size of the box dimensions (don't remember the figures, but they were identical). All I can say is PROTECT YOURSELF!!! Assume they will destroy the sax...then assume they will deny your insurance claim because YOU for improperly packaged the sax. My advice would be: 1. Buy insurance to cover the ENTIRE value of the horn. 2. Take detailed pictures of the horn AND the packing (the bubble wrap around the sax, the case, the peanuts around the case, etc). Use a ruler in the pictures to show you have the required amount of packing around the sax (find out what UPS/FedEx/DHL requires) 3. Use only a NEW, double wall constructed cardboard box. Take pictures of it to show that it has no dents. 4. Pray that the UPS guys don't let it fall off the conveyor belt. 5. Lastly, and most importantly, lower your expectations. Assume the sax will sustain at least $500 in damage. Anything less than that should be viewed as a positive. It's the only way to stay sane. Sorry to sound so cynical, but I've had nothing but bad experiences with shipping/receiving bari's.
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 13th 1:41 PM The last time I got a Bari from the US, it sustained more than $500 worth of damage. This was due to the poor packing inside the case to stop the Baritone moving and bending under it's own weight. There is an option which I have received parcels from Europe with that now has offices across the US. We are checking into it at the moment. .
Anji User ID: 0519814	Nov 13th 7:10 PM I believe you may wish to ship the case separately and use a two-part foam to encase the instrument. Rodney Marsh of Raleigh, NC turned me onto this method. The bigger horns are less resistant to deflection than little horns, and this is the way he ships Baris as a result. http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/instapak/default.htm Some variant of this stuff MUST be available for one-time users. There is, of course, no substitute for a stout box. The Jupiter saxes are shipped in particularly nice ones. Good call on taking LOTS of pictures for insurance!
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 15th 4:26 AM Update, the company I have found is dramatically cheaper than any of the above mentioned companies. I have dealt with them before and they take excellent care of the instrument whilst it is shipped, they are a worldwide shipping company and their prices make the others look like rip off merchants. More when everything has been confirmed.
Jeff Brody User ID: 9447203	Nov 24th 7:20 PM I've had good luck with BAX Global to and from both Australia and Europe. Reasonably priced and seem more careful than the others.
OnyxSax User ID: 9683713	Nov 26th 8:21 PM Despite their best efforts, UPS was not able to damage my bari when it shipped from Florida to Maryland. The box was a pretty sorry sight when I received it, but the superior packing job prevent any damage to the horn. Whew!
3Saxes User ID: 6772333	Nov 26th 9:26 PM Hindsight being 20/20 and all, leave your horn on stage on a sax stand....people drink at nightclubs, liability is questionable, you have to maintain responsibility of your horns, so keep them out of harms way. This may be an expensive lesson and one that will bear the scars of the ordeal indefinately, but NEVER take your horn for a stroll through a crowded bar...EVER!
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 26th 9:30 PM Well the Baritone has arrived, except they managed to lose the shipping documents. It is currently sitting in Aussie customs awaiting clearance due to lack of paperwork which is currently being sourced from the US office. The US office seems to be rather unhelpful at the moment. The price was cheap, the cargo has arrived without damage but no paperwork. Apparently the paper work was lost between Australia and the stop over destination of China. More when the package arrives.
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Dec 1st 5:12 AM The package has arrived, there is some damage to the S bend area. I don't know what it is about these shipping companies damaging bigger horns in transit. It seems to be a pattern though as this is the second damaged Baritone here this year. All the other horns seem to handle transportation pretty well though, just the bigger horns that get damaged.
CashSax User ID: 9014973	Dec 1st 5:21 AM Scares me too got a '25 Conn Tenor comin ups ground. I'm nervous. I should've had it sent Air Fedex, not so much handling. So far never a problem that way with many horns inc 2 Bari's.
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Dec 1st 2:01 PM It seems that it is only the international departments of these shipping companies that manage to damage the instruments preoperly.