re: Reverb.com

I browse Reverb often never bought mainly because any deal I find on there has outrageous shipping which negates the savings and then some. How do you guys get people to pay 150 dollars shipping on a guitar? Can't do it.

$150 is a stretch, but as a guy who has shipped probably a thousand guitars over the last 30+ years as a shop owner, a shop employee and as a general enthusiast, using UPS, USPS, FE, DHL ... proper shipping is not cheap.

The last guitar I shipped, a Squier P-bass, uncased and properly cocooned in generous bubble wrap; using a properly sized box (oversized) that was brand new (a reused dumpster dive box is free but it's also a guaranteed rejection should you have to file an insurance claim); and adequately insured (not for a fortune, it was a Squier) ... was $72 from a Baton Rouge zipcode to an Arizona zipcode. I have not shipped a guitar for less than $50 in a LONG, LONG time.

If you have issue with someone's asking price for shipping on Reverb, the seller's physical location (city) is always listed.

** Run a shipping calculator with your carrier of choice (cheapest is typically USPS, UPS and FedEx, in that order) from your zip to a zip in that city.

** Run an estimate on a package for 48 inches by 16 inches by 5 inches (average size of a properly packed guitar). List it at 30 pounds (average is about 25). Declare insurance accordingly and it will give you a quote.

** Message the seller with that adjusted shipping estimate and say you're willing to offer his asking price, estimated shipping from his zip to your zip, plus an extra $25 as an overage for calculation error, shipping materials and his handling. If he or she is a straight shooter and not trying to skim you via shipping, they will take it.