The latest FedEx craziness

[manta]

I have had several horror stories from UPS and one dandy from FedEx. I had one comparably small problem with USPS (and this is shipping to and from Guam for 30 years) and they paid the insurance quickly. USPS is just alright with me.

[ajish4]

Its almost like a **** shoot.

I've used both FEDEX and UPS. Using just my personal experience, I've had two problems with FEDEX. One claim, and they paid without delay. Granted, it was for a $300.00 bass, but they paid with little question.

UPS I've had countless problems with. From outright lies (saying I signed for a package that never arrived) to refusing payment for lost or damaged goods. 90% of the time, leaving packages out in the pouring rain, without the signature it required.

I sometimes wonder if its just the luck of the draw.

[cassius987]

I have not been very impressed with UPS. They seem to have some shady practices. I have liked FedEx better but they are certainly goofy about the string tension. Never used DHL. I used USPS to ship an amp once and they did great.

It's possible they just don't ask RIC about the string tension as a corporate customer. They don't always ask me. I wonder if these wacky string tension rules all came about to protect Gibson guitars, with their steep headstock angle. It's possible the added tension to the joint could make a break easier.

[DriftSpace]

It's possible they just don't ask RIC about the string tension as a corporate customer. They don't always ask me. I wonder if these wacky string tension rules all came about to protect Gibson guitars, with their steep headstock angle. It's possible the added tension to the joint could make a break easier.

The rules are different for corporate contracts, so you are correct; most couriers are more forgiving with their corporate clients because it's long-term profitability.

I was thinking the same thing with Gibsons, but I'm pretty sure Gibson ships their guitars in-tune as well. Dan Erlewine did mention Gibson guitars specifically in his "How To Ship a Guitar" pamphlet, saying exactly what you said, Joshua: the steep angle of the peg-head and string tension make snapping the headstock possible from not a lot of impact. I've known several people who just knocked their Gibsons over while on a stand and the headstock popped right off.

[johnhall]

We gave up on UPS years ago, after too many instances of damage, loss. and incompetence. Since then we have had many relatively trouble-free years of service from FedEx. Our only negative experience have been related to some accounting issues, such as missed COD collections but not things non-commercial customers would experience.

However, it is probably true that commercial customers are likely to have a better experience than retail ones.