Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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.

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.

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.

cassius987 wrote: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.

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.