Delivery Information
We like to think of ourselves as mail-order experts here at Merchant City Music. We have over 30 years of experience sending guitars, amplifiers and accessories safely across the UK and around the world.
Every guitar is carefully checked, securely packed and shipped in a protective double-walled outer carton. We take just as much care with packaging as we do with our initial setup and inspection, so your order arrives safely and ready to enjoy.
Dispatch Times & Holidays
We work hard to get your gear to you as quickly as possible.
- Orders placed before 2PM are usually dispatched the same working day.
- Orders placed after 2PM on Friday will usually be dispatched on Monday.
Please note that most couriers do not collect from us on Scottish local holidays or UK bank holidays, so there may be an additional working day’s delay in these situations.
Next working day delivery is always our aim, but it is not a strict guarantee. Courier delays can occasionally happen due to circumstances outside our control.
UK Delivery Charges
We offer free UK Mainland delivery on most of our larger items.
If your order does not qualify for free delivery, or if a product requires specialist shipping, the delivery cost will be shown clearly in your basket once you enter your delivery address.
Our standard UK delivery charges are based on the size of the item:
- Strings & Small Accessories: £2.95 Royal Mail Tracked 48 or £3.95 Royal Mail Tracked 24
- Larger Accessories, including stomp boxes: £5.00
- Guitars, multi-effects and small amps: £8.99
- Drum kits, half stacks and large cabinets: £25.00
In most cases, delivery charges are applied per order, not per item, so you only pay one delivery charge. Very large items, remote postcodes or unusually heavy orders may require a custom delivery quote.
UK Surcharges & Delivery Upgrades
- Northern Ireland & UK Islands: £12.00 surcharge applies.
- Saturday Delivery: £20.00 upgrade, where available. This can be selected at checkout for eligible orders and destinations.
How We Deliver
DPD: Guitars, Amplifiers & Larger Items
Most large UK Mainland orders are shipped with DPD on a next working day service, Monday to Friday. Your item is fully insured against loss or damage until delivery is completed.
Royal Mail: Strings & Small Accessories
Smaller items are dispatched using Royal Mail Tracked services. This is usually the most efficient and cost-effective method for small packages.
Tracking Your Order
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an email confirming the dispatch method and tracking number, where applicable.
DPD deliveries can be tracked directly on the DPD Local website using the consignment number provided in your dispatch email.
Missed Deliveries
If you are not available when DPD attempts delivery, they will usually leave a card or send a notification allowing you to rearrange delivery.
DPD will normally attempt delivery twice. If the parcel is returned to us because delivery was refused or could not be completed, a return courier charge of £25.00 may be deducted from your refund.
Checking Your Delivery
Please inspect your order as soon as it arrives.
If anything has been damaged in transit, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery by email or phone, quoting your order number. Please keep all original packaging until the issue has been resolved.
International & European Delivery
Our website accepts orders from the UK, Republic of Ireland and most European countries. International orders are usually shipped with DHL Express or UPS, depending on the destination and service availability.
Republic of Ireland
- Strings & Small Accessories: £12.95
- Larger Accessories: £17.95
- Guitars & Amps: £20.00
Europe
- Strings & Small Accessories: from £12.95
- Larger Items: from £20.00
Rest of the World If your country is not listed at checkout, please contact us with your order request. We can ship almost anywhere in the world and will quote the best available delivery option personally.
VAT, Duties & Taxes
Orders shipped outside the UK will have UK VAT removed automatically at checkout where applicable.
Please note that any import duty, local VAT, customs fees or taxes due in your country are the responsibility of the customer. These charges are normally requested directly by the courier before or during import and must be paid before delivery can be completed.