CA shipping questions

[JORGIE95961]

I went to the usps site and was quoted 18 for an 8 oz envelope @8oz.. i know that cant be how you all do it..

IvE been collecting parts for the last 3 or for years and would like to sell some of my inventory, but have have no idEa how to quote you guys reasonable shipping fees.. any help is apprecieated.

[john@thepier]

Best I can tell you is that shipping is killer on alot of deals. Unless you have an account with shippers you get raked over the coals. Using both Fedex and UPS calculater my experience is as long as your measurements and weights are correct and you add the ins. you need the estimater has been spot on for when I get to the shipping store. Good luck! John

[70LonghornCST]

Jorgie,

You can ship items in an envelope or a box First Class mail ranging from $1.85 to $3.50, depending on weight.

Priority Mail a pound and under will run $5.05 to $6.20, depending on location.

Priority Mail and Parcel post are so close in price, that I usually opt for the Priority service since Parcel Post takes forever to arrive sometimes.

Priority Mail has Flat Rate services:

1. Flat Rate envelope $5.15
2. Small Flat Rate Box $5.85
3. Medium Flat Rate Box $10.50 (2 or more different box dimensions available).
4. Large Flat Rate Box $16.50 (2 or more different box dimensions available).

Visit the USPS website for free supplies for these services.

I hope this helps.
Richard

[chuckmc8]

I think the best way is to go by the post office and pick up some of each size priority boxes; they are free. Anything that will fit in the box, as the commercial sez, ships for one fee. EZ. Just be sure when folks pay to get it in the mail promptly. Priority is a couple days and folks expect to get their stuff in a timely manner when they pay for 2 day (or whatever it is) shipping. It really irks me to buy something and promptly pay for it and takes 3 weeks to get it since the guy slacked on boxing and sending it.

[michael bustamante]

I have had better luck actually going to USPS And letting them Weigh and measure. I also like using the automated systems at some of the USPS post offices have
Posted via Mobile Device

[Cash3481]

I agree with everyone on USPS.
Some thought to consider...

1. Priority Prices on a box under 4 lbs is cheaper than a similar sized Flat Rate Box.
2. If you have access to boxes priority isn't far off parcel as mentioned.
3. UPS Boxs come in several sizes that can benefit the items your shipping.
4. Have your local UPS show you how to correctly cut a box down to size as well as provide you the listing of all their box sizes in color. It's a good reference especially if your sending expensive items.
5. USPS website is virtually spot on if you have the dimensions of the box your shipping.
6. You can save a little if you pay for your shipping through paypal on the USPS website. JUST MAKE SURE YOU SEND IT OUT THE DAY YOU SELECT. if not, the post office may return it for additional postage (its non refundable).
7. If you are getting boxes from businesses don't go to a liquor store. You cannot mail in their boxes! I would stop by Dollar General if you need some small to medium boxes, they give them to me for free sometimes.
8. I used greyhound express (bus ride) for the first time this week. (for perspective: I shipped a grill and core support from Kansas to El Centro Ca and it cost $180.)
9. finally the USPS MAX SIZE IS 130 inches in girth. I believe that's length plus with plus height. The over size charges start at 115 I think, but check to make sure.

Hope I helped you!

Mike
Posted via Mobile Device

[JeffD72]

Originally Posted by Cash3481

I agree with everyone on USPS.
Some thought to consider...

1. Priority Prices on a box under 4 lbs is cheaper than a similar sized Flat Rate Box.
2. If you have access to boxes priority isn't far off parcel as mentioned.
3. UPS Boxs come in several sizes that can benefit the items your shipping.
4. Have your local UPS show you how to correctly cut a box down to size as well as provide you the listing of all their box sizes in color. It's a good reference especially if your sending expensive items.
5. USPS website is virtually spot on if you have the dimensions of the box your shipping.
6. You can save a little if you pay for your shipping through paypal on the USPS website. JUST MAKE SURE YOU SEND IT OUT THE DAY YOU SELECT. if not, the post office may return it for additional postage (its non refundable).
7. If you are getting boxes from businesses don't go to a liquor store. You cannot mail in their boxes! I would stop by Dollar General if you need some small to medium boxes, they give them to me for free sometimes.
8. I used greyhound express (bus ride) for the first time this week. (for perspective: I shipped a grill and core support from Kansas to El Centro Ca and it cost $180.)
9. finally the USPS MAX SIZE IS 130 inches in girth. I believe that's length plus with plus height. The over size charges start at 115 I think, but check to make sure.

Hope I helped you!

Mike
Posted via Mobile Device

Girth is calculated as (2xwidth)+(2xheight)

[Cash3481]

Originally Posted by JeffD72

Girth is calculated as (2xwidth)+(2xheight)

Thanks Jeff!
Posted via Mobile Device

[70LonghornCST]

Originally Posted by JeffD72

Girth is calculated as (2xwidth)+(2xheight)

So, oversize packages are any package that is Length + Girth combined to a 108" min. to 130" max.

[70LonghornCST]

Example of a Large/Oversize package from USPS website:

[Cash3481]

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

So, oversize packages are any package that is Length + Girth combined to a 108" min. to 130" max.

I believe that is the size described by the nice USPS lady in my small town. She is usually dead on when I go in there as far as measurements. I'll get the official answer tomorrow when I go in there and post back here.

Jeff's answer confuses me now that I thought about it.
For instance, I mailed a tailgate an they are approx 70" long boxed by 8" high by 24" wide. It was oversized but I didn't ask by how much.

More to come... Where are all these shipping experts!
I'm a rookie that's just trying to help. LOL

Mike
Posted via Mobile Device

[Skruffy]

I've been shipping quite a few parts lately and found that I really only look at USPS and FedEx Ground. FedEx has been cheaper than UPS every time, but you also have to check USPS. The free boxes at USPS are a factor.

I would suggest setting up a FedEx account with your credit card and using their estimator. The only problems I've had are most likely my own fault for not saying I was delivering to a FedEx office or other things. You have to be accurate.

The insurance is also a factor.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with UPS. Greyhound can be a good deal too, as was pointed out. If you want to ship bigger stuff, get signed up with UShip.com, that's the best IMO for large stuff.

[70LonghornCST]

Originally Posted by Cash3481

I believe that is the size described by the nice USPS lady in my small town. She is usually dead on when I go in there as far as measurements. I'll get the official answer tomorrow when I go in there and post back here.

Jeff's answer confuses me now that I thought about it.
For instance, I mailed a tailgate an they are approx 70" long boxed by 8" high by 24" wide. It was oversized but I didn't ask by how much.

More to come... Where are all these shipping experts!
I'm a rookie that's just trying to help. LOL

Mike
Posted via Mobile Device

It was oversized by 2 inches thick. You probably can't cut off any on Length (70") or height (24"), but if you cut down the thickness from 8" to 6", you'd have it made.
-Richard