I use two boxes and bubble wrap the first one and go into a second box. I like to leave the case handle sticking out of the boxes.Most box handlers appreciate this, and my package tends not toget thrown around so much. I sent a Shobud "The Professional" to Anchorage Alaska with no problem. It went by UPS, and weighed 85LBS, and when it arrived, the fella took it out of the case, put it together, and played it. He said it was still in tune.

Lee is correct - they pay NO attention to "this side up". Most of the movement is mechanized, and machines don't read that stuff.

There are mixed feelings on exposed handles. The ONLY ones at UPS and FeEd who like them are drivers. In the warehouse, exposed handles or slots cut for them can cause jams on the conveyors, resulting in dropped packages. It's not worth it. Plus there is a question as to whether you might lose your insurance coverage by having the item partially exposed.

I would not do it.

I'll add what I've said before, and what is recommended by most shippers - pack the guitar to protect against a 6-8' fall onto hard concrete. The best start is 4-6" of hard foam at all corners.

Wrapping in a towel...or crushed newsaper...would creae an instant insurance claim rejection.

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 04 November 2006 at 08:50 PM.]

May I please ask what it cost to send an 85 pound Pro, and how much it costs to have them pack it? I need to send my Pro to Dr. Seymour for a knee transplant.

Short version - Almost all shippers recommend packing so the item will survive a 6-8' fall onto hard concrete. That's the usual conveyor height. 4-6" of hard foam in all corners, bracing everything INSIDE the case and using bubble wrap or air pillows for loose fill are the normal recommendations.

The exposed handle thing is a mixed-opinion. Drivers like it, but they touch the package for almost no time at all. Handles can get caught on conveyors, and some shippiers will void your insurance if there's a handle-hole in the box.

And the is no "up". Ever. A complete waste of time.

If I pack it myself, how much do they charge extra to pick it up at my home? (I can't carry it myself because I'm busted up like something they shipped.)

"The handle also helps shippers keep the item in it's typical position "

I guess most of you do not realize that the only time the item is "handled" is by a driver. The rest of the process is automated, using mechanized "pickers", conveyors that read labels on any side (including down) not a human hand on them unless there's a jam or it's on/off a local truck.

The label-side isn't up -it's nothing. It's irrelevant.

Take a tour of UPS of FedEx - you'll be surprised at the low number of people and huge number of boxes. Just pack it really well, no holes, put the label anywhere (with a duplicate inside the box - VERY important) and you'll be in good shape. You CAN have people at the UPS inspect and approve your packing, if you have time to go there and wait in line. But the "UPS Store" is not the UPS counter, so don't do it there. I just pack well, do the abel online and drop it off at a UPS store - there's no charge for that and you pay the UPS counter rates, not the UPS Store inflated rates.