MTFCA Forum

What do you guys generally do? I'm getting rates cross country (CA to NY) for a 5 lb box for a radiator shell of $60 from UPS, USPS and FEDEx. That's just insane....

Jeff

That's about right....thieves I say !!

I think if you setup an account with the one of your choice, you get a little better rate. And you can print a label and they'll pick it up.

I use to sell items on EBay and I can tell you shipping can up the cost of the item, especially if it’s heavy or bulky. To make it a little easier on the buyer I packed the items myself and had my own boxes I had saved here and there to save on the cost.
What can happen is you can buy a used transmission and the shipping cost can be the same as what you paid for it or more!
But it’s how bad you want something and the cost doesn’t matter for some. Unless something has drastically changed shipping a radiator shell ought to be around 20-30.00.
Shipping by ground is usually cheaper. Shipping by bus can save on large items such as bumpers. I use UPS most of the time in my area since there is a shipping center close by.
Good luck!

Jeff,

Welcome to the world of we all sleep together!

Hank

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:24 pm

Jeff,
Welcome to the world of we all sleep together!
Hank

Yeah, but I ship 40# cases of wine across the country for $40-50. Just thought this was absurd not going commercial...

AdminJeff wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:30 pm

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:24 pm

Jeff,
Welcome to the world of we all sleep together!
Hank

Yeah, but I ship 40# cases of wine across the country for $40-50. Just thought this was absurd not going commercial...

Contrary to what the wife tells you....size does matter in this case.

Oh Snap!!!!

The truth hurts, may I please have another brain bandaid?

I am shipping two radiator shells this week from Arkansas. One goes to California and the other to Texas. The one to California by USPS is 40.44 by standard shipping. If I used priority mail it was going to be over 60.00. The one to Texas cost 36.25 by priority mail. There was no Standard shipping option since the cost was the same as priority mail. They are both in a box that the shells just fit into. No extra size to the box. Those prices are without insurance. I "self insure" I figured out it is cheaper on me and the buyers for me to "self insure" Since it is almost impossible to get a damaged item paid for by the insurance. The hoops they want you to jump thru are more than I want to mess with . I figured that if I was to go about 6 months of e-bay sales with no damaged items, The amount of insurance cost would more than cover any future damaged items. With good packing I have had no damaged items in over 5 years. So I am way ahead of the game by now. The size of the box really matters. The weight is not as bad as a too big box. Any dimension over 12 inches starts to cost more as the size increases. For small heavy items the flat rate boxes are a lifesaver.

I have over 1000 Ebay sales. I also have 100% positive feedback. It takes a lot of work and good planning to ship a lot of parts. The shipping is the harder part of the sale ...

Good luck with your sales, and shipping ...

Jeff,

Sometimes if you have someone (a friend) with a commercial account that is a volume shipper, it goes down a lot!

Hank

Best friend usps flat rate boxs several sizes up to 70lbs
And with lite disassembly incredible what fits in them
Next get fedex account ups is ok but had issues witch are going away what a pain it has been.
Wheels or bulky items juat wrap plastic tape make sure no sharp edges and or points where foam bubble
Get know your drop off point crew
Estimate charges get zip fromyu ut8 axross cou try i use NY zip
Best refund the under charge
I keep a book of raes zips what item was and price
Ive listed here but sold far more on ebay and facebook
Always chat afew buddies figuring a price or how to ship prep

To Belgium, the best way is Fedex.
No surprises, only the income taxes and local taxes to pay with an invoice after having delivered the parts.
USPS is cheaper at the start but there is a local handling fee of minimum €30.00 each delivery from the USA plus the same taxes as Fedex to pay at the delivery.
UPS is about 10% more expensive as Fedex and need payment of the taxes at the delivery.

Ordered parts last Monday at Snyders parts arrived this morning by Fedex. Price for the sending was $109.15 box dimensions 28 x 24 x 4 inch

Andre
Belgium