Best options for shipping a tuba

[bort]

I've used UPS Ground twice in the past 6 months, both times nearly coast-to-coast across the country. It was a little expensive, but both arrived without incident.

Both shipments were in the original box from my new Miraphone 1291, which was filled with a crapload of styrofoam peanuts. It was good enough to get it from Germany to the US, so within the US, on the ground, I would not have expected any problems.

[brianggilbert]

I was told by Greyhound (Greyhound Package Express) that they will not ship to Canada. Flat out no, and no additional information was made available.

[royjohn]

Try <uship.com>. Various professional and amateur shippers there and some do dogs and cats, so they should be able to do a tuba. For myself, I often have time on my hands and would transport a tuba for fifteen to twenty cents a mile. Anywhere under 800 miles from me in East Tennessee in one day. You don't pack the tuba, just put it in a case or even on my back seat or in the trunk with blankets. If it takes overnight, the tuba sleeps next to me in the motel with the door locked and chained . . . . if the burglers come in, do you think that I, another tuba player, would let them have it without a fight? At least it will be blood stained when they get it . . . . My car insurance should cover it if someone got it out of the car while I was in the Seven-Eleven . . . .

[sloan]

Try <uship.com>. Various professional and amateur shippers there and some do dogs and cats, so they should be able to do a tuba. For myself, I often have time on my hands and would transport a tuba for fifteen to twenty cents a mile. Anywhere under 800 miles from me in East Tennessee in one day. You don't pack the tuba, just put it in a case or even on my back seat or in the trunk with blankets. If it takes overnight, the tuba sleeps next to me in the motel with the door locked and chained . . . . if the burglers come in, do you think that I, another tuba player, would let them have it without a fight? At least it will be blood stained when they get it . . . . My car insurance should cover it if someone got it out of the car while I was in the Seven-Eleven . . . .

All good until the last sentence. Ask your agent if your policy covers provessional courier service.

Actually...it might be better if you didn't ask...