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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1773 Posts |
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I am expecting a big shipment from Kelleher so I decided to clean my shelves. I made a deal with a friend/customer to sell them 11 albums for $300. I figured $200 for me and $100 for UPS.
I packed the albums into 2 18X12X12 boxes weighing 47 Lbs and 50 Lbs and went to my UPS account and was astounded and dismayed to find UPS wanted $218 for Ground shipment. I could have canceled the deal but I had an idea. I got 6 Legal Size Large Priority Boxes and packed 2 albums in each and will ship the 6 boxes for $17 each or $101!
This makes no sense to me. I checked Fedex their price $202, USPS $215 but USPS Priority is $101 for better service, it makes no sense to me.
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Bedrock Of The Community
12555 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
8956 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4052 Posts |
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Q/ Did you check what it would have cost in UPS or FDX flat rate boxes ?
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
635 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
713 Posts |
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You always want to use the USPS priority boxes for heavy items. If it fits, it ships. Non-usps boxes go by weight. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4052 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1773 Posts |
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Ikey that's definitely the answer, I know Kelleher ships to me for about $40/box I just used too big of a box. 3 boxes 12X12X12 would have been $120. USPS Priority is still a little better but 6 boxes is awkward.
Thanks,
Ken |
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Pillar Of The Community
1326 Posts |
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USPS priority boxes are a bargain. They're intended to compete with other shippers like UPS hence the pretty reasonable prices. If you can get it into one of those boxes, do it. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1773 Posts |
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I use USPS Priority boxes a lot but I can't count the times I've tried to fit 2 International Albums into 1 box. It is often impossible based on the size of the binder and if it's full. UPS Flat rate let's me use my own boxes so I'm going to get a bundle of 12X12X8 and easily be able to ship 2 4" albums in 1 box.
Not life changing but still good! |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1179 Posts |
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The USPS is not run by business people -- they are a quasi-governmental agency...in other words... all Rules, Rates, etc., are set by the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Congress running the show...which explains everything! |
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| Edited by Hal - 02/08/2020 12:37 am |
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Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
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I have mailed a box of about 6 Scott albums in the past using book rate which I think is now called either media mail or library mail. The cost was about 10% the rate Fedex or UPS quoted. In addition the recipient got some nice used $25 stamps. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
2555 Posts |
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I don't think stamp albums qualify for the media mail rate but I could be wrong. |
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Moderator
United States
12330 Posts |
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Agreed, Media Mail is highly defined. Quote:
Media Mail shipping is a cost-effective way to send educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped. Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below:
- Books (at least 8 pages).
- Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs.
- Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
- Printed music.
- Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
- Sixteen millimeter or narrower width films.
- Printed objective test materials and their accessories.
- Printed educational reference charts.
- Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.  Don |
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Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
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The postal clerk said the albums qualified as books as long as there was no advertising in them. I brought the box in unsealed so she could see what I was mailing. I don't think it mattered but there were no stamps in them. It may be that other clerks would not see things the same way, but it doesn't hurt to try as the savings are dramatic. |
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Moderator
United States
12330 Posts |
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Hi Bill,
Understood. But I am not sure that counting on a clerk who is freely interpreting the rules limits the risk. I just wanted others who read this thread to be fully informed. There is a risk the parcel will be opened, rejected and additional costs and delays incurred.
Don |
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Replies: 26 / Views: 2,513 |
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Posted 02/06/2020 7:42 pm
