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Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:56 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:08 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ How to Post Photos
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peaceful warrior Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2005 Posts: 5274 Location: Taoswest, USA
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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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! _________________ "Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
"Notchboy" says "Man up!"
"Tram" says " My bus is bigger than your bus."
66 13W Deluxe, 68 Westfalia, 87 Syncro.
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Brian |
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Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17969 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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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? Hit them up for air freight rates. _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
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Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:50 am Post subject: |
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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? 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. _________________ West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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TristanM Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2002 Posts: 408 Location: moving on.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:16 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Don't Believe The Hype. |
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Bill Jacobs Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2004 Posts: 102
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:24 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:33 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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Bill Jacobs Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2004 Posts: 102
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Gary |
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surfbeetle Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2005 Posts: 401
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Just another shipping tip. I had a some $800.00 rails to install a 5th wheel hitch in my Ram that I needed to return to the vendor (rec'd wrong part). I sent them back via UPS. Because they were heavy and the boxes were stapled shut when I got them from the vendor, I decided for the return trip to take them into the UPS store and pay for the UPS store to package them up for the return trip.
A few days after shipping out, I got a different box delivered to my house that contained the parts that i had sent back. Apparently the box the UPS store had used had come apart and the contents minus one part were boxed and sent to me. Now the vendor did not want it back since it was not complete. I filed a claim and it was only paid because I could prove that the UPS store had done the packaging. _________________ 67 Beetle Build Thread
69 Beetle |
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Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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Learned some news while at the Post Office today:
1) No more using the green Delivery Confirmation slips for First Class or Parcel Post shipments. The USPS will generate a tracking number that is printed on the receipt.
2) Parcel Post is now referred to as Standard Post. As with First Class, the tracking number is generated at the counter.
I used to stock up on Delivery Confirmation slips so I could log tracking numbers as "In Process" until I I was able to ship. Looks like that will no longer be the case. _________________ West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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Manfred58sc Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3382
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Due to a savage burn by UPS I switched all my shipping to greyhound. They have done a very good job overall and they really surprised me on a large package the other day. It was a very large box and ended up weighing 107 lbs. (their stated limit is 100lbs). My heart sank since I thought they would reject the package. The clerk said "lets put it into the computer and see if it takes it", it did! He could not tell me how this is determined, but their system will make exceptions. Thought I would pass this on. Many packages get across the country in 2 days! _________________ Fat chick owner/operator |
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Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
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Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:41 am Post subject: |
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I have a couple of vehicles that were damaged beyond repair in a tornado. I have been parting them out and want to sell the airbags. The airbags are original equipment, never deployed, etc. While attempting to list them on e-Bay, the system threw up a notification screen that special precautions must be taken for shipping.
So, after some research I've learned that airbags are designated as a pyrotechnic device that cannot be shipped via the US Post Office. I have searched high and low for how to properly ship them via UPS or FedEx and can't find a definite answer. From what I gather, the module must be packed in an anti-static bag and then packed in a burst-proof bag before being packing in the final container. That all makes sense considering static electricity can cause one to discharge.
Has anyone been down this route before?
And no, I will not just pack one in a box and ship it USPS and hope for the best. If it were to activate during shipping then some men in badges will come after me at which point I will be subject to a fine and/or jail time. _________________ West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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Manfred58sc Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3382
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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Greyhound has increased rates as 1-14. Seems to be about a 10% increase, no notification on the website. I noticed it on my last shipment and the clerk confirmed it. Still the best way on large items. _________________ Fat chick owner/operator |
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werksberg Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005 Posts: 2151 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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Has anyone else have problems or knows of fixes to the NEW USPS online shipping labels that we manually input on www.usps.com ?
Their website was changed like 2 weeks ago and I can't manually input address or get a pre paid shipping labels from them!
I have used FireFox and the dreaded IE (the latest versions) and it still does not work. If it was paid thru PayPal....then USPS shipping labels work perfect. But is the customer sent a check or cash.....
I could stand in the long line to do it (the local PO manager knows me and told me he sees lots of his reg. online shippers in line) ...but my time is valuable..... But customers are getting testie. _________________ Werksberg Products....Products that work!
Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
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Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!" |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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werksberg Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005 Posts: 2151 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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I also have Chrome & I'll try that tomorrow in the AM.
I figure if FF and the lest favorite IE couldn't, Chrome also was out. But I'll try it....
Thanks! _________________ Werksberg Products....Products that work!
Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
Click the below ADs link for products & feedback.
Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!" |
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werksberg Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005 Posts: 2151 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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I finally used Chrome and after a little tweaking.... IT WORKED!
E...was that the new format at USPS or the old format? I'm told USPS is releasing this change regional at different times....but why do a major area like So Cal. at the first? Doh!
THANKS again! _________________ Werksberg Products....Products that work!
Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
Click the below ADs link for products & feedback.
Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!" |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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