Best options for shipping

[gatordad]

I just sold some a board set and almost fell over when ups told me almost 70.00 to ship within the usa. what is the best solution for both the me and the buyer?
Its about 30 lbs.

[Avrus]

Nothing is cheaper than USPS in my experience.

[demaximis]

I just sold some a board set and almost fell over when ups told me almost 70.00 to ship within the usa. what is the best solution for both the me and the buyer?
Its about 30 lbs.

gatordad,

First, UPS rates.  Was your shipping quote from UPS (for example, from ups.com or a UPS customer center), or from an Authorized Shipping Outlet (ASO), like The UPS Store, or Staples?  Buying directly from UPS is slightly less expensive than purchasing shipping from an ASO, although you lose the packing service that comes with shipping from an ASO like The UPS Store (and that packing service, though a little pricey, usually ensures safe delivery of the goods, if you're not used to packing, and also guarantees payment on damage claims).  Because price seems to be your major consideration, to get the lowest UPS rate for occasional shipments, sign up for a free account at UPS.com.  You can charge shipping to your credit card,  print labels from your home PC, and drop your packages off at any UPS retail location at no charge.  If you are a regular shipper, you can call UPS and set up a business account, which will give you access to potential discounts, based on volume.

Now, about the package.  The major domestic carriers (including UPS) use a metric to determine shipping charges beyond weight, called "dimensional weight."  This means that the size of the package influences the shipping charges, beyond just its weight.  To the extent you can minimize the footprint of the package, or split the package into two shipments to reduce the size, you can save there as well.  You can test the different methods/options at ups.com, and price the shipment accordingly.

Finally, alternatives.  Someone already mentioned the USPS, and that may be a good alternative, depending on your needs.  In many cases (but not all), the USPS is the low price leader, if price is your only consideration.  This is not always the case, as the private carriers are very competitive in major shipping lanes.  The biggest drawbacks from the USPS are the limited tracking and insurance offerings.  Time-definite delivery is usually not cost-effective with the USPS, so you also settle for their best guess as to when the package will get there (they will give you a range), and no guarantee if it doesn't get there on time, like UPS.  While USPS will insure your package, I don't know if you've ever had the pleasure of filing a claim with the Post Office...  If the contents of your shipment could possibly be damaged (and ALL carriers suffer damages - some more than others), it may be worth a couple of extra bucks to ensure fast processing of your claim, should you or the buyer have to make one.

Hope this helps!

[lanman31337]

You can ship stuff via Greyhound as well.  It's very inexpensive, but the person has to pick it up at the Greyhound terminal.

[gatordad]

Thanks guys,

I went to a UPS store. And I still had everything in the metal protective box that the sega model 1's are housed in. I have since contacted the buyer and he does not need the metal box, which will save a ton on shipping, size of package as well as about 15 or 20 lbs.


I was looking for something more reasonable not necessarily the cheapest, when I was told 68.00 to ship I thought that was excessive. I agree that the USPS is cheap and I would not use them for something like this, where I want it to arrive in the same condition as it leaves.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[gatordad]

Just an FYI to everyone. I shipped my items at a UPS hub location and it was 6.00 cheaper than at "the UPS store".
Pack it yourself because "The UPS store" was going to charge 19.00 bucks for a box and packaging.
Regards
GD