MTFCA Forum

Just for everyone’s info. I shipped some parts yesterday & USPS started their Holliday rates. A medium flat rate box is now $19.30 & a large is
$26.00 I didn’t know Halloween was a big shipping time?
Craig.

Rates keep going up. Service keeps going down. Get used to it folks.

And we personally know that's a fact Tim!

Check out Pirate Ship. Best bargain around.
I use it whenever I need to send something.

If you buy your postage and generate the labels via PayPal Shipstation, there is a discount and no monthly fees if you were a PayPal accountholder prior to the transition to Shipstation.

You can also buy postage and generate labels at a discount on the USPS website.

Also, my experience is that it is typically less expensive to ship Priority Mail based on package dimensions, weight and destination instead of using flat rate rate envelopes and boxes.

Finally, while you can ship USPS Priority mail in any box, you can order a variety of USPS non-flat rate boxes in packs of 10 or 25 and have them delivered to your front door free of charge.

Just sent a small wood crate to Tulsa OK from Albany MN. 18" long, 10" wide, and 8" deep, weighing 38lbs. USPS quote was $70.00, Fastenal Blue Lane was under $50.00. I've had great luck with these folks! I do know that things have changed for Fastenal since covid. Tough to get stuff east from the west coast.

I abuse the USPS folks several times a week and I have NO problem doing so! I built extremely heavy duty metal boxes that just fit inside both the medium & large USPS flat rate boxes. I ship my rebuilt starters & gens this way. They are very HEAVY, but it's the least cost service you can use to ship 65 lbs anywhere in the US. I use Shippo.com and get about a 20% discount on all shipping rates. I also noticed rates went up again a couple weeks ago.

One customer was blown away by my metal shipping box hidden away inside the USPS box and even filmed the unboxing!!

https://youtu.be/mRfMhR19H3k

Jeff

There are many services that USPS has that make shipping less expensive.
You can order Priority Mail Flat Rate & Priority Mail Boxes delivered to your address for FREE
The difference between the two is the Flat Rate is independent of weight, package dimensions and distance. The Priority Mail Boxes can be cut down to reduce package dimensions, are free, but shipping is based on weight, package dimensions and distance. Some new shipping options are also based on weight, package dimensions and distance & your own box (that could add to the cost unless your recycling one you have)
Here are the FREE Priority Mailing Boxes. The small one is very useful!
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Using the "Calculate a Price" to determine cost will give you the maximum cost. All examples are for shipping from 61265 to 46725, 10lbs needing a package 10"x7"x6"
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Then there is a new service called "Enhanced Click-N-Ship" it allows saving addresses, discounts shipping cost and has more ways to ship for less --
Options and differences between Flat rate versus your own box using Enhanced Clip-N-Ship
When I have been using Ground Advantage shipping times have been equal to or faster than Priority Mail Flat Rate.
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I second the recommendation for pirateship.com. You will get significant discount over USPS retail rates. Just print the label from pirateship and drop the package off at the post office. You also get instant comparison of the various rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

cslandry wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2024 9:53 pm

I second the recommendation for pirateship.com. You will get significant discount over USPS retail rates. Just print the label from pirateship and drop the package off at the post office. You also get instant comparison of the various rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

Thanks
I'll give it a try. A comparison is great provided is holds true. I've has some issues with FedEx rates.
I also consider the cost of the box, USPS basically included in t he shipping cost for Priority Mail (Flat Rate or Mailing Box)