TackleTour

Ok guys,

I'm sure this has been asked before. I've bought rods but never shipped rods.

What is the most economical and secure way to ship fishing rods?


Which shipping service to use? Ups? USPS? Fed ex?

Buy insurance?

Also should you choose fed ex or ups should we let them package and buy insurance so if in the event the rod becomes a 10 piece rod the insurance claim would be easier?

Shipping rod question should be a sticky...

UPS. I pack my own and take pictures.

Make sure you pack your own Rod.

Today I received a Loomis GLX 803 in 3 pieces from FED EX. they packed the Rod.

Actually, an IDIOT at Fed Ex packed it.

I ship using UPS. Always pack the rod carefully myself.

I've used UPS and FedEx. The key is to pack yourself.

USPS online for me. 7.5' of 2" PVC shipped for around $16 insured. Winning.

USPS is the only company I've ever had break a rod in transit. I sent them the PayPal invoice and I had a check in 5 days or so. UPS I'll never ship with again if I can get away with it. If something happens to the rod they're the hardest to extract a claim from. FedEx is reasonable if you print the label online and drop it off at a FedEx/Kinkos store. They seem to handle oversized stuff a little better.

CGrinder wrote:USPS online for me. 7.5' of 2" PVC shipped for around $16 insured. Winning.

No kidding! You are winning! I am going to see how I fare with them the next go round. I haven't shipped a Rod for less than 29 dollars this year!?! Errrr.....

I would go with FedEx. I've had several issues with UPS and can't recommend them.

Demoman wrote:

CGrinder wrote:USPS online for me. 7.5' of 2" PVC shipped for around $16 insured. Winning.

No kidding! You are winning! I am going to see how I fare with them the next go round. I haven't shipped a Rod for less than 29 dollars this year!?! Errrr.....

It's so good. Just measure it well and be generous with the weight. Pay online and drop it off at the post office. If you pay in person it's significantly more expensive. They give you a serious discount online.

2pcs rods overseas - USPS Priority Mail or Express Mail
1 pcs rods US - Fedex Ground
Never had a problem.

Does anyone know what is the cheapest method to ship a rod (let say 6 feet) to Japan?

Cracker wrote:2pcs rods overseas - USPS Priority Mail or Express Mail
1 pcs rods US - Fedex Ground
Never had a problem.

Does anyone know what is the cheapest method to ship a rod (let say 6 feet) to Japan?

Shipping a rod to Japan will be a killer. You gotta do ups or FedEx air. I have heard of guys spending $100 - $130.

I agree with Mike, USPS and ship/insure using PayPal. It's always the cheapest and it ships 2-3 day priority mail.

I've had rods shipped to me broken now by FedEx, ups, and usps. So, I don't trust any of them, I always say a prayer, even if its in pvc...

Both FedEx and UPS have broken rods being sent to me. USPS has a better track record. However, I recently had a USPS delivery agent fraudulently sign my name for a rod being sent to a friend of mine, for whom I brokered the deal here on TT. That rod arrived with a broken tip due to a lack of cushioning and being damaged by rough handling by USPS.

Whatever you do, insure to the value of the sale and always inspect packages before signing to accept. Open them and force the delivery person to wait. Pictures are always good and always pack securely. No exceptions, take no prisoners, especially on older JDM rods that aren't made anymore.

I've worked at Fed Ex and UPS in college. Trust me, items shipped no matter how small, are tossed around. Package it in a good sturdy tube and make sure the rod doesn't bounce around inside the tube.

I totally agree with making the delivery guy wait when receiving a rod. I signed a package online and had them drop off at the door and I'll never do so again. Got a busted package and my rod from overseas broke on my first trip.

FedEx or UPS.

USPS has broken 3 of my rods, two of which the cardboard tube broke in half.. If you have to ship usps, use a pcv tube, not cardboard.

But in my area, FedEx is around $1 cheaper than USPS, unless I'm shipping 2-Piece rods. UPS is a bit more expensive, but not by much.

With that said, I use USPS for all my shipping needs other than fishing rods.