Dilema regarding shipping

[Carnal Forge]

Hi guys.I have a chance at the moment to buy an Ibanez J-Custom S3040

from the USA but I am in a dilema about shipping of the guitar.The guy who is selling the guitar says that shipping will be hugely expensive and that USPS(United States Postal Service)have size limitations.He says that as the package can only be 36" long he would have to take the guitar apart and ship it without the case.He mentioned that the last time he shipped to Australia, that is what he did,yet everytime I have ordered a guitar from the USA or the UK as well I have never had a problem with size limitations.His qoute for shipping with the guitar taken apart will be $186.00 and the only other option he gave me would be to ship FedEx and that would probably cost between $350-$400.I just ordered an RG Arch-1 from the UK and it only cost me $250 Australian to ship and for insurance so to me $350-$400 seems a bit over the top.I was just wondering if you guys had any imput or any ideas regarding this.Thanks for your time and knowledge and take care.

Sean

[littlegreenman]

They do have size limitations, but tell him to take a box that would fit the case, or just take the case to the post and have them add 2" all around. Usually they can send it as an oversize package. I've shipped to Australia before, I've shipped there via fedex as well and it was about $250USD and that was overnight!
Tell him also to try airborne express if USPS and fedex don't work out.

[Knightmeir]

I don't know much about that guitar... but I've shipped a couple guitars via USPS, in boxes acquired from guitar center that would fit a case. They always tell me it's just under the limit... As far as USPS goes... better than UPS IMO, no hassle.

[bduersch]

I just sent a guitar down under recently... I do remember seeing the USPS size limitations. I ended up shipping it through Fedex... it was about $250, they got it there quickly and safely.

--B

[Rich]

You know you CAN check for yourself

www.usps.com
www.ups.com
www.fedex.com

[bpd111]

Yeah, find out for yourself. I wouldn't want it taken apart and shipped for anything! Just doesn't sound right.

[rikkbeatty]

I have shipped plenty of guitars to Australia. One guy had me wrap an MC100 case in brown paper with the handle sticking out to make it easier for the postman to carry. It came in at the EXACT dimensions they would accept! lol