Shipping Items?
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Midland, Tx
Shipping Items?
I usually sell my stuff locally and don't have to mess with shipping. last night I sold a cop seat Tank and Bladder to a member, went to my local UPS this morning and they quoted me $82 shipped from TX to CT, WHAT!!! Seemed very expensive to me considering some SBC Headers for my Corvette I was selling was going to cost $42 max shipped in the lower 48. So who should I use?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
ask if they are quoting on weight or volume.
you may find that breaking up into 2 boxes is less expensive.
also a mom and pop shippit may add huge fees on top of actual shipping costs.
check USPS for rates online
shipping is a pain- I usually only sell local now.
Mike
you may find that breaking up into 2 boxes is less expensive.
also a mom and pop shippit may add huge fees on top of actual shipping costs.
check USPS for rates online
shipping is a pain- I usually only sell local now.
Mike
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
shipping fees
Cut your box down as small as you can while still protecting whats inside and take it to the post office for shipping.Remember you always pay for the box's dimensions plus its weight.Using these ship-it centers really add to the costs of shipping a package.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Two jugs and two heads shipped from CT to FM in Wisconsin for 50.00, insured for 1500.00. That was probably about 13.00 for insurance and the rest was based on weight. Not a small box though... UPS.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
cpita, and others, all three shippers, Fed Ex, UPS, and USPS offer on line services for free. You open an account (need a credit card or PayPal for billing). You print out the prepaid shipping labels right on your computer, and your account is automatically charged. In many locations they will come right to your house to pick up the package. USPS will send you free supplies, including some things you can't get at the post office. Their shipping rate is actually cheaper going on line, than going to the post office. I use two inch wide clear plastic shipping tape to completely cover the shipping label on the box. USPS also has the "flat rate" boxes, allowing you to ship heavy items at a set cost if they fit in the box.
Pay attention to the size of the packaging--if you exceed a total dimension the rates go up a lot. I have found that UPS tends to have the highest cost on larger boxes.
The real humor in all this is that the UPS and Fed Ex stores have to accept your prepaid package for shipping, leaving their high fees in your pocket!
https://cns.usps.com/go
https://www.ups.com/myups/login?WT.s...FUhgMgodrB0AgA
http://www.fedex.com/us/ship/
Fed Ex has partnered with the USPS. You may ship by the USPS, only to find it was delivered by Fed Ex.
You may also have regional shippers that are a lot cheaper. Here in the Midwest we have SpeeDee that covers seven + states. There rates are much cheaper and take larger packages before hitting you with the surcharge.
http://www.speedeedelivery.com/
Pay attention to the size of the packaging--if you exceed a total dimension the rates go up a lot. I have found that UPS tends to have the highest cost on larger boxes.
The real humor in all this is that the UPS and Fed Ex stores have to accept your prepaid package for shipping, leaving their high fees in your pocket!
https://cns.usps.com/go
https://www.ups.com/myups/login?WT.s...FUhgMgodrB0AgA
http://www.fedex.com/us/ship/
Fed Ex has partnered with the USPS. You may ship by the USPS, only to find it was delivered by Fed Ex.
You may also have regional shippers that are a lot cheaper. Here in the Midwest we have SpeeDee that covers seven + states. There rates are much cheaper and take larger packages before hitting you with the surcharge.
http://www.speedeedelivery.com/
Last edited by MNPGRider; Jan 25, 2014 at 02:12 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
I shipped a springer to France once. Was quoted a high dollar by DHL... Went to DHL online for kicks,and the shipping was about $250 LESS. I'm not recommending DHL,and I don't even know if they're still around?
I'd first try USPS,I've had excellent service from them.
I'd first try USPS,I've had excellent service from them.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
I had a contract with DHL, and they gave me great rates on my large items. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago they pulled out of the US to US market. They still ship internationally.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, OH
UPS is pricey, but I've NEVER had an issue with their service. Like others have said, use the smallest box you can when when packing and make sure it is just for standard ground service. Anything else is pricey, unless you really need to expedite it. The post office isn't a bad choice either, but make sure you insure anything you send through them. I've had a couple packages "vanish" because I didn't. The best luck I've had with them is using the prepay priority boxes.
