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Shipping an Instrument to RDG
If you have questions about how to ship your instrument to our store, have no fear! We have put together this brief guide for best shipping practices for most oboes, clarinets, and bassoons.
- Send your instrument in its case.
- Make sure that your instrument is secured when it is in its case. If you hear movement when gentle force is applied to it, add material to areas of the case that help keep your instrument securely held in place.
- Secure loose items, such as cork grease, screwdrivers, humidifiers, tuners, etc, if you will be including these items in your case.
- Pack your instrument case in a corrugated cardboard box. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 1 to 2 inches of packing material between your case and the box on all sides. Most boxes with a burst test rate of 200 pounds is sufficient. Just be sure not to use a thin or flimsy box. It will be tested during transit!
- Use packing material to fill the void between your case and the box. Packing peanuts, air cushion “pockets”, bubble wrap, densely crumpled paper, and items similar to these are good choices. Dense foam that is custom fitted to your case and the box can be considered as it is a very effective and efficient packing method (and won’t require additional packing material).
- Use enough packing material to completely fill the box and eliminate as much movement of your case as possible when the box is closed.
- Include a note! It helps us forward the instrument to the proper person for repair or for processing. Be sure to include your name, phone number, email address, and any notes for the recipient.
- Seal the box with a quality packing tape. We don’t recommend using Scotch tape, even if you plan to use the whole roll!
- Use FedEx or UPS services to ship your package. Be sure to use an appropriate service speed and plan to have the instrument arrive in the afternoon. Most “morning” or “AM” deliveries are delayed because they are scheduled for delivery before we open, so we don’t recommend using this option.
- Consider using shipping insurance through FedEx or UPS if transit is not covered by your current insurance policy. Some customers like to declare a value that matches their insurance deductible, some like to declare anywhere from 25% to 100% of the value of their instrument. Your total shipping cost will increase as your declared value increases.
- Select the “signature required” option. It provides proof that your package was delivered to RDG when one of us signs for it.
- Address the package to our store at:
RDG Woodwinds
Attn: _________
589 N Larchmont Blvd Floor 2
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(888) 734-7333
- If you have a repair appointment, please include the name of the repair technician that will be working on your instrument. For consignments, please include "Consignment" on the shipping label.
- Request tracking information by email to keep an eye on your shipment.
- When your repair appointment is completed, we will give you a call to arrange your return shipment via FedEx and take your payment information. You’ll just need to let us know how soon you’d like to have your instrument delivered and to what address. That’s it!