How does shipping work with Bluethumb? - probably the most asked question we get in Customer Service by artists joining the platform.
At its basic level, Bluethumb helps artists with shipping their works, when sold through site, both domestically and internationally. We can help cover the costs and process of booking a courier or if the works small enough and you prefer to ship with AUS Post, we can reimburse the costs associated.
For bookings made through us we manage the shipments, track them day to day to ensure they are on time. If there are any issues or problems we follow up with the courier and work on resolving - freeing you up to concentrate on the more important things like making more art!
Work sent through us (courier or AUS Post) is fully insured (as long as you have meet the minimum packaging requirements and supporting evidence can be supplied -further info below) meaning if it arrives damaged and its none repairable we will pay you the payout amount for the work.
Below are some basic area's and topics to be across:
Who covers the cost?
Bluethumb does. When listing work with Bluethumb you may have noticed that we add a shipping allocation at the time of upload. This shipping allocation is an additional cost Bluethumb adds to the listing (based on the listing information you provide e.g. size, weight, packaging) to cover the cost of shipping the work to most national locations.
This cost is then used to cover the costs associated with booking a courier or to reimburse the artist the actual cost of shipping if shipped with AUS Post.
Please note this shipping allocation is seperate to the commission we take. The Shipping allocation is fully absorbed to cover all shipping costs (courier fees, booking fees, manual handling fees, re-delivery fees etc).
Can I use my own courier?
No, when shipping through Bluethumb we arrange and manage all freight, selecting the courier to use and providing you with the labels and information needed.
If you want to use your own courier and manage your own freight then you would need to look at becoming a self shipping artist. More information on these profiles can be found in Can I become a self shipping artist? FAQ.
Does Bluethumb cover Packaging Costs?
No. Bluethumb does not cover or reimburse costs associated to packaging artwork. These costs should be factored into your artwork price, think of these as another business expense that is part of selling art.
Does Bluethumb sell internationally? and who covers these costs?
We do sell work internationally, and for these orders additional shipping costs are taken at the time of sale from the buyer. Bluethumb will still arrange the courier and the shipment so from an artist perspective their is no difference in the shipping process' they have to follow from a domestic booking.
What happens when I sell an artwork on Bluethumb?
When you sell an artwork, you'll be notified by email and a text on your registered mobile. You're required to pack the artwork safely please follow our Packaging Requirements for Artists.
Depending on the size of the artwork, your location and accessibility you can choose to either use Bluethumb's couriers or send the artwork via AUS Post. Read this article about our updated Freight Policy carefully to understand this better and ensure you read the sale notification email in full for all details, its a very informative email and will help guide you through the process.
How do I book a courier?
You can request a courier pickup from your 'My Orders' page in your Bluethumb profile. You'll be asked for a date of pickup and dimensions of the packaged artwork. It's very important to measure your packaged artwork accurately and enter this information here as incorrect packaging can cause penalties from the couriers. Remember to also stay within the max packaging dimension as outlined in Packaging Requirements for Artists.
Once you've selected a day of pickup, we will book the couriers and send the shipping labels to you a day prior to the pickup. These will need to be printed and put on the packaged artwork - See how to label your artwork for shipment.
I've sent my artwork via AUS Post - How do I get reimbursed?
Fantastic! Take a photo of your receipt from AUS Post and head over to your 'My Orders' page.Click on 'Select shipping method' against the order and choose 'Send Yourself' at the top. Here you can enter the details as prompted and hit submit.
For AUS Post shipments we reimburse the actual cost based off the receipt, please note we do not cover Express Post unless prior approval is given. We also will not cover additional insurance costs if the work is below $3000 in value.
Once submitted to us, the tracking details you've entered will be sent to the buyer so they can keep an eye on this shipment. The reimbursement amount will be sent to you at the same time payment is made for the artwork.
Is hand delivery an option?
Yes, please see the dedicated FAQ for this process Can I Hand Deliver?
Can I manage my own shipping?
Yes there is an option to become a self shipping artist. For more information please read the following FAQ Can I become a self shipping artist? If you would like to go ahead and apply please email help@bluethumb.com.au requesting this.
Other things to keep in mind
There are a few other things to remember
Don't forget to include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) with the work, most buyers expect this for provenance.
If you have advertised the work as coming with D-Rings and/or wire please ensure this is attached before packing.
Feel free to add a personal touch with a hand written note along with the work, buyers love this.
For more detailed shipping questions please head to More Frequently asked shipping questions