Low cost shipping...

[Chicago Bob]

Could someone please provide the 411 on how to get it done at the lowest possible cost. Not a big business with high volume prospects but I am shipping several times a week now and am tired of getting ripped off. Thanks so much for any help.

[Don K]

What are you shipping Bob?

[TXCraig1]

Boxes, pallets, TL?

[Chicago Bob]

You know...just regular stuff. Small car/motorcycle parts, food stuffs, electronics...nothing bigger than say 100lbs and in a box the size of say, a 3-4 ft. tower stereo speaker. Regular things ...thanks.

[Don K]

With fuel surcharges shipping is high everywhere.

If you have small but heavy items, like car/motorcycle parts, the Post Office's Flat Rate boxes can be a good deal. Just make sure that you pack them well because the boxes are pretty thin. Maybe double box them. The boxes are free too. You can go to the Post Office's website and order bundles of the boxes for free.

Also, if you have something that is small and under 13oz, just send it as a First Class Mail parcel. Very cheap.

[Chicago Bob]

Do you think I would get anywhere contacting an ebay person and see if I could pay them a % to use their acct. i.d. # or is that crazy mans talk...(they worried I ship something illegal)..is there a way around their concern with an affidavit?

[Chicago Bob]

The reason I am asking about this is because I have bought high end stereo gear on audiophile forums and had guys tell me no problem about returns cause I ship through my business and it is real cheap....some have also indicated that they get free insurance too because they are good customers...dunno man...?

[Don K]

I think they are exaggerating Bob. Unless a business is shipping tons of stuff (truckloads), the difference in shipping through UPS, FedEx, USPS, isn't really that great. You will only pay a little more if you ship through the UPS Store, Kinko's, Office Max, etc.

There are third party shipping insurance companies that can save you some money if you are shipping a lot of expensive items.

[Chicago Bob]

Thanks Don...your info rings a bell of truth in my greedy mind...   PM sent...

[Don K]

I was a UPS driver in the late 80's and early 90's and I know for a fact that my pickup customers that would average 100+ parcels a day would pay the same price as the ones that would only ship a few a day.

The only companies that saw real savings were the huge TDP (Trailer Direct Pickup) shippers, where UPS would drop off trailer(s) and then pick them up after they were loaded at the customer's location.

I suppose things could have changed since I worked there.

[Jet_deck]

I suppose things could have changed since I worked there.

We do supposedly recieve a discount on UPS rates becase we do regular shipping and UPS Motor Freight.

[Don K]

We do supposedly recieve a discount on UPS rates becase we do regular shipping and UPS Motor Freight.

Yeah there were incentives, but it was minimal. I suppose if you shipped a lot, it would add up. The business is a lot more competitive today so there may be some better deals.

It would be interesting to compare your rates to the standard rates. I'll bet it's only cents per shipment.