Shipping insurance

[guitarlover]

If a guitar is shipped from Uk to Europe and the shipping is standard ups , Until which amount is it insured ?
Sorry if dumb question but I have no experience with this and would like to have full insurance. Denis

 

[wileypickett]

Most shippers include some insurance up to a certain dollar figure as part of their basic shipping cost. But if you want your parcel insured for more than that, you have to pay extra for the added insurance.

I don't know what the rates are for Europe or the UK, or for the US for that matter.

But you should be able to find out the rates by visiting the UPS website for the UK. Or you could call a UPS rep in your country and see if they can help.

 

[guitarlover]

If I buy through reverb, does that make a difference ? I mean does Reverb offer some protection against lost packages or damaged packages. I read something about it but not quite clear to me.

 

[davismanLV]

YES, buying through Reverb will save you a TON on shipping and I've done UPS 2-day shipping with what they call "customer care" or something like that.... I can't remember the exact term, but it means shipping insurance. When I shipped my Breedlove using UPS on Reverb the 2 day shipping was $126 plus the "customer care" which means Reverb will intervene should any problems arise and settle the claim. I've not had that happen so I assume it works. But the guitar went from Las Vegas, NV to Columbus OH insured for $156 or so. Can't remember the exact amount. When I was at UPS I tried to add insurance and they wouldn't do it unless I did the shipping through them!! So i asked how much to send the guitar the same way 2-day and insured for $1300. They quoted me $459 or some really ridiculous number. So i made the trip back home and printed the label through Reverb with the customer care box ticked and sent it for WAAAY less money!! I would always do my shipping through Reverb!!

 

[guitarlover]

But only the seller can activate the customer care ticket no ?
And If he does not do that and something goes wrong ( damaged, lost,..., is there 100 % guarantee that I'll get my money back or does this depend on the goodwill of the seller znd can reverb only advise ? I am really new to this, so sorry for all my questions

 

[davismanLV]

I'd only shipped a guitar once before just using USPS and boxed and insured it so I'm no great tome of experience. If the guitar comes to you in pieces, I think you just get your money back and it's just between the shipper/Reverb/and UPS to duke it out. I'd offer to reimburse the shipper for the "customer care" cost if it's not too late. But mostly if it comes ruined you just return it and you get your money back I think. But I could be wrong. I wish someone else would chime in here because I'm no expert at this. I think your job is to sit and wait for it to arrive in perfect condition. Then, if it doesn't contact, Reverb and the seller ASAP.

 

[davismanLV]

Remember Reverb doesn't release your payment to the seller until you've accepted the shipment. If anything goes wrong let Reverb know IMMEDIATELY, so they don't release the funds to the seller.

 

[guitarlover]

Ah so in that way the money is blocked and I'm protected ?

 

[davismanLV]

Yes. When I shipped my Breedlove a little over a month ago, they let me know they have the money. My job is to ship. Which I did. I was in direct contact with the seller the whole time and it arrived at his door exactly when they said it would and in perfect condition. But he had to let Reverb know it was okay to release the money to me and that the deal was satisfactory. Then Reverb sent me a notice that it had released the funds to the account that I specified. That's how it works. Reverb is the agent.

 

[guitarlover]

Got it thanks !!

 

[GAD]

Reverb only holds your money for the first transaction. Once that's complete and the buyer is happy that doesn't happen again unless you get flagged for something.

I can tell you that Reverb shipping protection (or whatever it's called) was pretty awesome from a buyer's prospective. A guitar arrived in less than advertised condition. The seller didn't want to deal with me so I reported him. Since he had used Reverb's service, Reverb dealt with me on his behalf and worked out a great resolution.

 

[guitarlover]

First ever transaction for the seller you mean ? (Sorry really new to this)

 

[guitarlover]

When I read your post again that is the only possibility so dumb question from me !

 

[guitarlover]

Reverb does not actively assist with damage claims on packages that were not shipped using a protected Reverb shipping label. We can give you tips and general guidance, but outside of that, there's not much we can do to assist, since carriers will typically only accommodate the shipper of record. Reverb only processes claims in-house for protected shipping labels that were purchased by the seller directly on Reverb. For instructions on how to proceed in these cases, please see this article.

It's this text that worries me. (Sorry tovcome back on this).

 

[GAD]

That says what we've been saying:

If you buy "protected Reverb Shipping" then Reverb will help if something goes wrong.

If you do not, but instead buy shipping direct through the carrier (or from a shipping place), then Reverb can't help you with shipping damages.

 

[guitarlover]

But only seller can buy this protection, so buyer needs to " covince" seller first . Does my little brain- in weekend mode- finally has it right now ? ;-))

 

[GAD]

But only seller can buy this protection, so buyer needs to " covince" seller first . Does my little brain- in weekend mode- finally has it right now ? ;-))

Only the seller can buy it - correct. Remember that this is only in relation to shipping damage. If the guitar arrives "not as advertised" you're protected. If you pay with PayPal then doubly so.

The difference with Reverb protection shipping is that you don't even have to deal with the seller if they won't deal with you should there be a problem. It's totally up to the seller if they want to use it, though.

Example: When I bought my Slash Doubleneck, it was not as advertised and the seller blew me off. I would have been happy with something like $300 back but since the seller was such a jerk I escalated to Reverb. Since the seller had used the protected shipping, I never talked to the seller again and worked through Reverb and got $1000 back. Note that this was a $4000 purchase. Note also that this was not a shipping problem, but Reverb took care of it through that program.

 

[davismanLV]

You can't make the seller tick that box when he/she ships, and it does cost money, so if you're in contact with the seller you could offer to reimburse for that service along with shipping and taxes. But you'll have to negotiate that with the seller beforehand, and in the final reckoning you can't make him tick that box.

 

[guitarlover]

Everything is clear to me now. Thanks for your patience with me

 

[HeyMikey]

As a seller I always buy insurance to protect MY interests, as most companies these days more often than not side with the buyer on disputes.