Money saving shipping tip
 

Just a little piece of info that was passed along to me by a fedex employee this week. You may already know this, but it was news to me. It comes in handy when shipping bulky items.

First, you get an automatic discount when you use their online shipping manager. And signing up is free.

Second, when entering the package information, be sure and put your longest dimension in the first block. This is because their formula is L*2W*2H. I had a big, flat box to ship measuring 36x66x4. It was astronomical, and would have to go by freight truck. But the rep said to enter it as 66x36x4. I did, and it was affordable (still not cheap).

Third, if shipping international, they have a "space available" program that is a good bit cheaper than regular shipping prices. The catch is that your package will wait in the terminal until space is available.

I have no affiliation with FedEx, except that I use their service. I'm only passing this along in hopes that this helps somebody save some $$.

Not with FedEx but here is a little shipping tip that I just found out.

UPS has cheaper shipping if you ship to a business address.

Here's a shipping tip for you.

USPS flat rate boxes. Perfect for shipping brake calipers or a collection of small heavy items. $7.70 regardless of how heavy the box is.

Jeez guys, all good tips! Very good to know!

Assume that everyone knows about "media mail" for sending books? Also there is a media mail "mail bag" where you stuff anything you can in a mail bag, as long as its printed media and it goes space A anywhere in the world. Saves a lot of money at times.

JoeA

Be careful with USPS Priority.

I recently (after the Christmas / NY period) mailed a priority envelope from the Bay Area to Chicago. It took exactly 2 weeks to the day to arrive.

The USPS gives a 2-3 day arrival date, but this isn't guaranteed at all. The smallprint claims this is an 'average'. If you need something in a timely manner definitely spring for Express mail or FedEx.

How much to ship a 911?

UPS SUCKS plain and simple!! They are liars and thieves!! I shipped a one year only part to a fellow pelican head, after I sent detailed pix of the part, then pix as packaged. I spend over $50 in packaging materials to make sure this was well packed. UPS damaged the part, first said that I failed to insure it (I insured it for $2000) then said it wasn't properly packed (the shop it went to was inpressed on how well it was packed and were suprised that it was damaged) then said that since there was no hole in the bax, it wasn't there fault. It cost me close to $700 to have the part repaired. I sent ups pictures, before & after, including as packaged, 3 repair quotes, those ******* still refused to pay, filed a complain with the BBB, and ups still refused to make good on it. Another time, I had no other choice but to use upe, while at the SEMA show, to ship some stuff I bought home (Office Depot has a ups station, I bought the boxes and packing stuff there and shipped it home) those *******s again destroyed the contents (again fully insured) and again, they refused to pay for damaged they did on something fully insured (through ups). F***k ups!!! I ship Fedex and have been very happy.

We used to ship UPS because they gave us a better rate than FedEx. Almost 2 years ago, we quit shipping anything with UPS due to the high percent of damaged shipments. The little bit more we pay to Fedex is nothing compared to the money lost while an employee jumps through hoops to make claims against brown.

Now, that being said, Fedex is not without problems. Even if you mark a package as FRAGILE or This End UP, they are under no obligation to pay any heed to the markings. Guess how I know.

But I still use them. Better than the alternative.

Putting "Fragile" on the package is like attaching a Bullseye on there along with "Kick Here".

I happen to like Fedex. always seems to be cheaper for residential and very convenient with all their small offices.

I've also have never had a problem with USPS Priority. The trick here is to insure the Priority package. Word is that they try to expedite the shipment to get it out of the system. The longer they have it the more prone it is to loss or damage.

That said the worst is Parcel Post. Very slow and likely to sustain damage.

Funny, I have found FedEx less expensive than ups and while they aren't perfect, I have had much better luck with them.

Greyhound for big, oversized packages is the way to go. I shipped a 951 catback with them, $35 versus almost $100 through FedEx (lightweight but long). Heavy stock 951 cat pipe was about $50 (heavy and long). I usually use FedEx because they're right down the street, I once made the mistake of using USPS priority, the package was sent the wrong place, then spent a week in limbo before the buyer was able to pick it up.

fedex sucks. their fine print is incredible...they accept no liability for anything other than a complete missing package... I shipped very expensive computer gear from orlando to miami, it got there in the middle of a hurricane. everything inside broken.. on $1900 insurance value they paid $100.00... fouckers:mad:

Wow.

I had an expensive piece of equipment shipped via Fedex from Washinton, DC. It was lost. After back and forth they agreed to pay for the cost of the lost product with proof of purchase price. However, they would not pay for the shipping on the lost item. Go figure.