TheSamba.com :: View topic - Shipping Tricks and General Shipping Discussions

Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:56 am

peaceful warrior wrote: Hypothetical question for all you who ship.
I live in a town that does not have Greyhound service, so I normally use USPS, UPS, or Fedex, always looking for the best price.
Lately, I have had the problem of giving a rough estimate for shipping, and then when I go to box it up and get a quote, the shipping cost is always higher. I am speaking of unusual, oversized sized items, where I have had to make boxes or track down oversized boxes.

Buyers seem to want to pay before I have an exact quote, which I will not do for obvious reasons. Lately, I have buyers back out once they get the exact quote. I don't charge for my time to box parts up, nor for the time spent tracking down boxes, etc. and it is becoming a problem when all the work is done and then the sale falls thru due to shipping.

Any advice on you handle this?

I have thought of asking for a non refundable $25 deposit, which would be included in the total once the sale is completed. Thought behind this is, it makes the seller responsible for their request. Thoughts on this idea? I am tired of boxing items up and then have the deal fall through, due to costs beyond my control.

If you have access to a reasonably accurate scale (say +/- 2lbs) and you know how to use a tape measure, all you have to do is go to the shipper's web page to get a shipping quote based on the dimensions & weight you enter. I would say it would be fair for the weight to be rounded to the nearest 5lbs to base your quote. Worst case scenario is that you're refunding a buyer for over payment (something I've done on many occasions).

Get Rates & Transit Times for FedEx
USPS Price Calculator

I don't deal with UPS but I bet it also has an option. Hope this helps.

Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:08 am

I wouldn't want to pay a deposit.

I've never had trouble with my Fed Ex Ground quotes being too far off but I almost always add a few inches to each side and round up on weight just in case. Mostly because I often end up adding extra cardboard around any sharper corners for larger items.

As Gary stated, if it's way off I give a refund but this is rarely the case.

I have more trouble with International stuff, even small packages, being off, unless I really get an accurate weight.

Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:33 pm

Gary wrote: peaceful warrior wrote: Hypothetical question for all you who ship.
I live in a town that does not have Greyhound service, so I normally use USPS, UPS, or Fedex, always looking for the best price.
Lately, I have had the problem of giving a rough estimate for shipping, and then when I go to box it up and get a quote, the shipping cost is always higher. I am speaking of unusual, oversized sized items, where I have had to make boxes or track down oversized boxes.

Buyers seem to want to pay before I have an exact quote, which I will not do for obvious reasons. Lately, I have buyers back out once they get the exact quote. I don't charge for my time to box parts up, nor for the time spent tracking down boxes, etc. and it is becoming a problem when all the work is done and then the sale falls thru due to shipping.

Any advice on you handle this?

I have thought of asking for a non refundable $25 deposit, which would be included in the total once the sale is completed. Thought behind this is, it makes the seller responsible for their request. Thoughts on this idea? I am tired of boxing items up and then have the deal fall through, due to costs beyond my control.

If you have access to a reasonably accurate scale (say +/- 2lbs) and you know how to use a tape measure, all you have to do is go to the shipper's web page to get a shipping quote based on the dimensions & weight you enter. I would say it would be fair for the weight to be rounded to the nearest 5lbs to base your quote. Worst case scenario is that you're refunding a buyer for over payment (something I've done on many occasions).

Get Rates & Transit Times for FedEx
USPS Price Calculator

I don't deal with UPS but I bet it also has an option. Hope this helps.

Gary, thanks. Good idea!

Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:49 pm

Has anyone ever shipped to Indonesia? I have someone interested in a muffler; however, the USPS web site will only calculate a rate using Global Express which comes in over $320. FedEx is just as ugly.

Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:57 pm

Try LBC Express. We have shipped massive (no weight limit) 24X18X18" boxes to the Philippines by boat, but they say on their website they ship parcels air freight & boat. We shipped 3 boxes Saturday for $55 each. Ning says don't tell them it's car parts, but I think that's just for these 'care package' boxes to the Philippines? :? :lol: Hit them up for air freight rates.

Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:50 am

Mike Fisher wrote: Try LBC Express. We have shipped massive (no weight limit) 24X18X18" boxes to the Philippines by boat, but they say on their website they ship parcels air freight & boat. We shipped 3 boxes Saturday for $55 each. Ning says don't tell them it's car parts, but I think that's just for these 'care package' boxes to the Philippines? :? :lol: Hit them up for air freight rates.

LBC Express has branches in only a few US States all of which are on either the east or west coast with the exception of Illinois and Nevada. :roll:

Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:16 am

Just a note that USPS flat rate shipping prices went up again as of January 22nd, 2012. I use the small flat rate boxes alot and they went from $5.20 to $5.35. Check out www.usps.com for complete price changes.

Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:24 am

Any new tips on shipping to Italy? I have buyer wanting a pair of rims shipped. and I have never shipped overseas. He is paying actual cost but I want it to be as cheap as possible.

Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:33 am

Bill Jacobs wrote: Any new tips on shipping to Italy? I have buyer wanting a pair of rims shipped. and I have never shipped overseas. He is paying actual cost but I want it to be as cheap as possible.

Check postal regulations on size limits (length + girth). Your best bet is to ship each rim in a separate box. The USPS is going to be your best bet.

Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:43 pm

Thanks Gary