The British Steelies Society

Hi All,

I have bought a PSG from eBay (a Bennett SD10 from Gwyndaf - member). I would like to get it sent insured,as it is a bit too far for me to travel to collect. The best quote I have for a courier with £1500 insurance is about £78.
Does anyone know any better than this, or who would you recommend.

I'm not in a hurry, but obviously dont wish to wait forever.

Thanks

Bryan

Bryan,

You’ll find that very often courier insurance DOES NOT cover musical instruments. Alas, you’ll pay through the nose for insurance which you’d never be able to claim on should the worst occur. You’ll often get the ‘standard’/ nominal insurance of around £100 included in the shipping cost, but that’s about it. I’m sure there will be exceptions, but make sure to read the small print.

For example, this is from Parcelforce website:-

“ Musical instruments are excluded from enhanced compensation. Guitars and brass instruments are particularly prone to damage and should be packed very carefully, in a hard case. See our packaging guidelines for guidance”

Ironically, I’ve used Parcelforce several times for musical instruments and never had an issue... but I do so knowing it’s a massive risk and last resort.

I have also used couriers (Hermes is usually cheapest) without issue - but try a comparison site like "ParcelHero" for a number of quotes, it'll be easier to choose if you have a page of different companies with various insurance packages.
Personally I would look again at driving to pickup the guitar (maybe meet half way?) that's something else I've done, more than once.

I've used Interparcel for musical instruments before. They are a lot cheaper and I think their insurance does cover instruments, though you should check.

Rigby wrote:I've used Interparcel for musical instruments before. They are a lot cheaper and I think their insurance does cover instruments, though you should check.

I've used Interparcel quite a few times for combo's, they give you a selection of couriers to choose from. Best check that the courier chosen has insurance that covers musical instruments.

My GFI student was lost by the courier, this was years ago, I did get the insurance eventually, took a while though. The courier I used does not exist anymore!

Might make a difference to whether they will insure if the steel is in a hard case which I presume it will be?

I recently sent my PSG from London to Ronnie Bennett in Inverness Scotland for a repair and returned again, both ways by Parcelforce without extra insurance with no problem.

Regards,
Baz.