11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Lefty — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:31:50 GMT

I have sold on eBay, as well as collected stamps for years. While traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, I used the Priority Flat Rate boxes to save space, weight, and Tarriffs on items returned to the USA. (ZIP to ZIP - one fee, if it fits in the box, regardless of weight.) I am somewhat surprised the Cruise Ships don't have a USPS van at the pier, for all the stuff purchased 'while overseas', but won't fit in the luggage at the airport. (Hey San Diego USPS, how about a temporary office at the Broadway Pier? Same for the USPS in Long Beach and Seattle. The office in Ketckikan AK Runs Out of Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes...)

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Junny Huynh — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:17:01 GMT

If US Postal Service can have "tracking program" like UPS, DHL, FEDex...we will support USPS because they (UPS...) charge us too high to ship the small package compare with USPS.

UPS work partime every day, do not deliver on saturday. Fedex's cost is much higher....their service not good as of USPS

Please compete and get the service away from UPS, we will support you, the USPS

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Tony T. — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:09:24 GMT

I work for USPS, please check your prices, many mistakes in your article. But thanks for the great vote of confidence.

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Loretta — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:55:18 GMT

I use blown up balloons.

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

whatever — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:04:32 GMT

Isn't most of this a 'no-brainer'???

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Patti — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:33:36 GMT

I used to sell a lot on Ebay and Amazon and one thing I learned the first year I did it was that shipping anything through USPS during the month of December is a big mistake. It takes forever and I've had three packages get lost.

Ship gifts through UPS or one of the other delivery companies. If you sell on Ebay, UPS, Fed Ex or DHL are the way to go.

I would suspend bookselling on Amazon if possible for the month of December. Amazon only gives you so much for shipping and handling. USPS Media Mail is slow in July; glacially slow in December. Amazon's shipping allowance won't cover the cost for sending books through UPS. And if you're a small time seller, three bad Amazon ratings, because the Postal Service took forever, is painful. Worse is if you offer expedited delivery. The buyer is expecting FedEx overnight, but Amazon means Priority Mail. Which is never a Priority in December.

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Mamasan41 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:08:19 GMT

After my post office lost the birthday book package to my aunt, for her 88th birthday, I ordered the same books from Barnes and Noble and they got there FAST, nothing lost. Barnes and Noble even sent me emails as to where the books were at that time: " Your package has just been handed to your aunt!" This was cute! No more US postal service for me! Even with tracking, the post office could never find my package of books.

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

eric slette — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:34:12 GMT

this world is full of such cheap people...your gonna get what you pay for...if you use usps and don't support the small shipping retail stores they in fact will go out of business...and therefore be out of work... ups and fedex automatically insure you for $100.00 on every package...they also guarentee time and day of delivery...and I will add that they are also less expensive when weighing more than five pounds...don't just believe my words...call them...do the research yoursellf and you will find this to be true....one more thing if the usps loose your box...it has no track # and it is considered lost...unlike with ups or fedex...

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

Melissa — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:33:39 GMT

I do a lot of shipping overseas (family in the military). When going to APO's, I've learned that the lighter the box, the faster it goes - regardless of size. Since the boxes are going to be handled by a lot of different people, and tape can come loose, I wrap all packages inside brown paper. Be sure to tape every seam and corner so it can't get snagged on something and ripped. Also remember to include the recipients ' and senders' name and address on the inside of the package, just in case the outside paper gets ripped off or if you addressed directly on the box and it gets wet and smears. They can then open the package and still know who to send or return it to. One other tip, you can print custom forms online but you'll need a weighing machine to know what to put on the weight. My USPS knows how much I send so they typically will give me a supply of the forms to keep on hand and fill them out before I go to ship them. Ask your USPS office, they'll help you find the best / cheapest way to send your packages.

re: 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping

eric slette — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:31:54 GMT