Official Luthiers Forum!

Has anyone found it cheaper to use a shipping forwarder than asking people like Allied/LMI/Stewmac/etc. to ship directly to them? It seems like a good solution for ordering a little bit from each suppliers (since not everyone has everything), but when you pay for fees, domestic shipping, and international shipping, are you really saving anything at all?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I don't think they are cheaper for the buyer but they make it a lot easier for the shipper. Ebay has been using them for a while and it makes shipping internationally a lot easier for us. Less paperwork .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I live in Alaska and anything over 50lbs goes to a freight forwarder in WA. I just purchased a Gang Tool Lathe and from the factory to Anchorage was quoted 2800 USD from one of the big shippers, my freight forwarder quoted 1048 USD and offered to pickup at factory. Its also nice if a company is offering free shipping in the states as they will usually cover to forwarder location.