SIGforum.com    Main Page  Hop To Forum Categories  The Lounge    unreasonable expectations of shipping these days?
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
unreasonable expectations of shipping these days? Login/Join 
Member
Picture of az4783054
posted
Someone please correct me if I'm incorrect about shipping costs. I have some late model Corvette parts for sale on a Corvette site. One item is a front/rear set of GM extended fender rock guards which are triangular shaped at approximately 18"L x 6"W.

I used the USPS website as a reference for flat rate shipping. USPS says a large flat rate 'game' rate box is $18.30 in which the parts might fit.

Is there a less expensive manner to ship the four parts (w/o risking damage)? USPS, FedEx or UPS?

I just had a member of that site ask me to ship the guards from northern AZ to west TX. He suggested the cost couldn't be more than $5.00 and he made an offer accordingly which I did not accept. He got a bit indignant when I told him he was naive about shipping costs.
 
Posts: 11247 | Registered: January 09, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Fighting the good fight
Picture of RogueJSK
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by az4783054:
Is there a less expensive manner to ship the four parts (w/o risking damage)? USPS, FedEx or UPS?


A USPS regional flat rate box may be a few bucks cheaper, if there's one that the parts fit inside. Those are typically slightly cheaper than the standard flat rate boxes.

Otherwise, UPS/FedEx won't save you much if anything. I had a buddy who owned a business that did a lot of shipping quip once that $15 is about the floor for UPS/FedEx shipping costs, joking it would cost $15 to UPS/FedEx a pencil next door.
 
Posts: 34307 | Location: Northwest Arkansas | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
If you see me running
try to keep up
Picture of mrvmax
posted Hide Post
I ship handguns all the time along with other stuff. Unless it fits into a small flat rate box it will cost over $10. I rarely can ship anything under $20
 
Posts: 4567 | Location: Friendswood Texas | Registered: August 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of az4783054
posted Hide Post
Thanks for the replies. Pretty much confirmed what I thought.

The parts originally cost me about $150 if I recall which I'm asking significantly less. They're still like new w/o any damage to the clips. I don't want to ship in any manner which could risk damage. A box would provide the most protection knowing how things get thrown around by shippers.
 
Posts: 11247 | Registered: January 09, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Read the CONSTITUTION
Picture of Mountain Man
posted Hide Post
quote:
I just had a member of that site ask me to ship the guards from northern AZ to west TX. He suggested the cost couldn't be more than $5.00 and he made an offer accordingly which I did not accept. He got a bit indignant when I told him he was naive about shipping costs.


Haha. The flat USPS envelope is 7.45, and small box is 7.65. Shipping has become very expensive. Any decent box now $30+.




A 9mm in MY Hand is better than a 45 at home.
SIG P-239 357.. The Modern Martial Arts
Pair of 226 Navy's

Too many" LOW INFORMATION VOTERS "
si vis pacem para bellvm
 
Posts: 2173 | Location: UN Constitution State  | Registered: October 22, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Thank you
Very little
Picture of HRK
posted Hide Post
you might be able to ship them for less than flat rate prices, just depends on weight and box size.

It could go regular mail but you'd have to bump for tracking and signature, which you'd obviously want...
 
Posts: 26004 | Location: Gunshine State | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of holdem
posted Hide Post
Even something the size of a small shoe box, weighing 2-3 lbs, costs $15 with UPS or Fed Ex, just to ship within the state of FL.

You really cannot touch shipping for less than $15 nowadays, unless you have access to a corporate account.
 
Posts: 2384 | Location: Orlando | Registered: April 22, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
The prices being quoted above are roughly accurate for retail shippers, ie, those without access to a high-volume discount account. As noted above, if you do have access to a corporate account, it's possible to save significantly over the posted retail prices. For example, I recently shipped some rifle and pistol sized boxes overnight for less than 10 bucks each. Note, I am not saying that is necessarily what was in the boxes, just noting the general size and weight. Big Grin

Now, just because you have access to discounted shipping doesn' mean you should feel obligated to pass that savings along on a private sale, but I generally use it was guide when I price something for sale with "shipping included."
 
Posts: 2634 | Location: WI | Registered: December 29, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by az4783054:
I just had a member of that site ask me to ship the guards from northern AZ to west TX. He suggested the cost couldn't be more than $5.00 and he made an offer accordingly which I did not accept. He got a bit indignant when I told him he was naive about shipping costs.



Twenty years ago, maybe. Ain't nuttin' larger than a hardcover book shipping for $5 any more. Not by USPS, not by UPS, not by DHL, not by FedEx. It's not happening.


Sig P226 .40 S&W
Sig SP2022 9mm
RIA 1911 Gov't .45
...and more
 
Posts: 724 | Location: Maryland | Registered: April 30, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I'd rather have luck
than skill any day
Picture of mjlennon
posted Hide Post
I ordered some 3/8" DOT chain online, Amazon I think. Two lengths at 20' and biders. He mailed them in "if it fits it ships boxes." The poor mail lade came in the office looking for help to get them out of her mail truck. Is it any wonder the USPS loses money every year.
 
Posts: 1913 | Location: Fayetteville, Georgia | Registered: December 08, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Alea iacta est
Picture of Beancooker
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by az4783054:
Is there a less expensive manner to ship the four parts (w/o risking damage)? USPS, FedEx or UPS?


You don’t happen to be in Cottonwood, or passing through anytime soon, are you? If so, I can print you a shipping label from work. I could probably do that and email it to you as well, using our tiered discounts. Would probably cost about $12 to ship from AZ to TX.



quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I'd fly to Turks and Caicos with live ammo falling out of my pockets before getting within spitting distance of NJ with a firearm.
 
Posts: 4694 | Location: Staring down at you with disdain, from the spooky mountaintop castle.  | Registered: November 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of az4783054
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Beancooker:
quote:
Originally posted by az4783054:
Is there a less expensive manner to ship the four parts (w/o risking damage)? USPS, FedEx or UPS?


You don’t happen to be in Cottonwood, or passing through anytime soon, are you? If so, I can print you a shipping label from work. I could probably do that and email it to you as well, using our tiered discounts. Would probably cost about $12 to ship from AZ to TX.


Thank you very much for the offer. After my last message with that guy I don't think I'll hear back from him again.
 
Posts: 11247 | Registered: January 09, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Constable
posted Hide Post
Ran into maybe the same idiot last year selling some old loading presses I had. When I listed them I also listed their WEIGHTS. All of them cast iron and heavy. One of the buyers thought I could ship 23 pounds for " five or ten bucks" to NY. Thoose days are LONG gone.
 
Posts: 7074 | Location: Craig, MT | Registered: December 17, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hop head
Picture of lyman
posted Hide Post
if you have not already, get an online account with each


as Rogue mentioned USPS has Regional Flat rate A and B boxes (2 sizes or shapes of each)
a B may be what you need ,

however they are not always cheaper than just regular priority, (pays to compare)


FEDX sucks,


UPS has a new simple rate plan, Xsmall, Small, Med, Large and I think X large,
all based on Cubic inches, and distance,

some stuff it is much much cheaper than standard UPS ground,


weight limit is 50lbs,


and fed ex sucks,



https://chandlersfirearms.com/chesterfield-armament/
 
Posts: 10880 | Location: Beach VA,not VA Beach | Registered: July 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of az4783054
posted Hide Post
I can't justify an account with any of the shippers at this point, but thanks for the suggestion. I typically ship USPS flat rate using their free USPS boxes.
 
Posts: 11247 | Registered: January 09, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of Rev. A. J. Forsyth
posted Hide Post
It has been my experience that people generally have no idea how much it costs to ship things. Folks are used to "free" shipping, not understanding that the shipping is being paid by the added profit built into the item.
 
Posts: 1639 | Location: Winston-Salem  | Registered: April 01, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata  
 

SIGforum.com    Main Page  Hop To Forum Categories  The Lounge    unreasonable expectations of shipping these days?

© SIGforum 2025