Martin's Policy on Cold Weather Shipping

[6L6]

Martin employee Joe McNamara said the following over in the Martin Forum about Martin's policy on shipping in cold weather. Interesting...

"Actually, Martin doesn't ship when it's too cold. Depending on the finish, our "cold hold" policy stops ground shipments between Nazareth and the final destination if the temp drops below a certain point. Full gloss lacquer guitars don't leave when it's less than 20 degrees anywhere along the route. I don't remember the numbers for GT or other catalyzed finishes, but they can go out when it's a little colder.

IIRC, only all-HPL instruments are not subject to a cold-hold policy."

 

[geoguy]

Thanks for posting that info . . . probably a good policy for any of us, when shipping a nitro-finished guitar.

 

[chazmo]

Best to avoid shipment in the cold, but as everyone who lives in New England knows weather can swing from freezing to not at any time. Tough to predict. Especially if you choose to use parcel post to ship a guitar and it's on the road for a week.

 

[alpep]

I tend to not ship when it is under 30 degrees.
I know Ovation does the same. Not sure about any other manufacturers but I think it is good policy

 

[bluesypicky]

Another good point in favor of Martin's business approach. :wink:
Beats Fender I must say.

 

[Ross]

....... don't leave when it's less than 20 degrees anywhere along the route.

In many Canadian locations, that could mean several months of no shipping :mrgreen:

 

[bluesypicky]

....... don't leave when it's less than 20 degrees anywhere along the route.

In many Canadian locations, that could mean several months of no shipping :mrgreen:

...it's all about making choices: Living in Canada, or being able to play the guitar!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[JerryR]

....... don't leave when it's less than 20 degrees anywhere along the route.

In many Canadian locations, that could mean several months of no shipping :mrgreen:

...it's all about making choices: Living in Canada, or being able to play the guitar!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

After all - must be difficult playing with gloves or mittens on :mrgreen:

 

[fronobulax]

After all - must be difficult playing with gloves or mittens on :mrgreen:

Gig bag and gloves for the Canadian guitarist.

 

[Brad Little]

Another good point in favor of Martin's business approach. :wink:
Beats Fender I must say.

If, as alpep said, Ovation doesn't ship when the temp is below 30 degrees, and Ovation is part of Fender.....?
Brad

 

[bluesypicky]

If, as alpep said, Ovation doesn't ship when the temp is below 30 degrees, and Ovation is part of Fender.....?
Brad

Then it would lift Fender up a notch on my esteem ladder, however this monster has so many tentacules, who knows if a policy is carried on and equally enforced across the board/makes/products..... :shock: :?
But I'm not gonna assume they're doing all the wrong things just for the sake of arguing, so I'll give you this one! :wink:
Good on ya Fender!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[adorshki]

But I'm not gonna assume they're doing all the wrong things just for the sake of arguing, so I'll give you this one! :wink:
Good on ya Fender!!!! :mrgreen:

WELL that certainly lets all the air out of this thread....can we take this up over on AGF? :lol:

 

[alpep]

If, as alpep said, Ovation doesn't ship when the temp is below 30 degrees, and Ovation is part of Fender.....?
Brad

Then it would lift Fender up a notch on my esteem ladder, however this monster has so many tentacules, who knows if a policy is carried on and equally enforced across the board/makes/products..... :shock: :?
But I'm not gonna assume they're doing all the wrong things just for the sake of arguing, so I'll give you this one! :wink:
Good on ya Fender!!!! :mrgreen:

I am a longtime Ovation/Adamas dealer and I can tell you as a fact they don't ship when it gets too cold.
I have no clue if it applies to the Guild stuff since I am not a Guild dealer. but since many of the same guys work in the factory and warehouse I would guess they do it. Is it an official policy? I can't answer that.

 

[bluesypicky]

Great to hear!
Thanks for confirming Alpep... and another round of "good on ya" Fender!!

 

[chazmo]

Well, we can surely ask, guys. The 2009+ USA Guilds are being built in the old Kaman factory, so they're probably using the same shipping procedures they've used in the past for Ovation and Hamer.

 

[adorshki]

Well, we can surely ask, guys.

What, and take all the fun out of the rampant speculations?! :lol:

 

[Sefton419]

This is really funny you bring this up because my 2005 Tacoma D55 is delaminating on the edge of the fretboard and now the body! I've only had it for a year and I bought it new in the shop. I was told by the store owner to wait for the cold season to end to ship my guitar to Nashville to get Fender to repair it like the Martin policy requires. Its interesting that Guild has no policy of the sort. Anyone else have pre-mature de-lamination with the new nitrocellulose lacquer?

 

[chazmo]

Sefton,

I know you're not the first to report delamination issues from Tacoma products. Not sure who reported it before, Sefton... Wish I could remember.

I suspect something wasn't properly prepped before the guitars went to the spray booth. My 2006 has nothing like that, by the way.