Topic Wiki

Shipping Domestic

WeightUSPSUPSFedEx
13oz and UnderItems under 13oz are usually able to be shipped USPS First Class Mail. By far this is the cheapest option.
Weekly Pickup CostUPS charges $22 for weekly pickups - if you are not shipping with your own UPS account (e.g. Amazons account) If you ship with your own account at least $75 weekly then the fee is $11.It is about the same rates as UPS.
Who Pays When Refusing a packageNo oneShipperShipper
Ship to a PO box?YesNoNo

Need to ship a package with tracking?
Login to paypal and then click this link https://www.paypal.com/shiplabel/create/
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_bulk-ship

Knowing which shipping service to use and when could be tricky. It depends on items weight, how fast needed to be delivered, contents value.

Here are 2 free tools I found that can answer many of the pricing questions on this thread:
1. Fitshipper is for when you know the delivery address, size & weight.    2. Fitshipper for listings is when you are not your sure of the destination (eBay etc.).



Items 1-5lbs is when it gets tricky.

For Fedex and UPS there is a Home Delivery charge of about $3 for all shipments that are delivered to a residential address.  This is what will usually make the rates with Fedex or UPS a lot higher than USPS Priority (on low weight packages)

The base rate - commercial address for shipping zone 1, 1lb with Fedex is $6.65, with USPS it's $5.05

With Fedex or UPS the rate increased much less per additional lb

Shipping Insurance with Fedex/UPS is a lot cheaper than USPS. This will be a key factor on deciding when to use USPS over Fedex

Direct Signature Requirement comes standard with $300 of USPS Insurance, and $500 of Fedex insurance

•°•°For Decently priced USPS labels see this post  Or this updated 8/2/21.•°•°

Latest 1/10/22 the best labels so far.
For insane rates.
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=28357.msg2538377#msg2538377


Q: Under 1lb what is the best service to use?
Typically USPS Priority Mail

Q: What is flat rate? When will it give you the best price?
Flat Rate is a specific size box that does not have a weight limit, and has the same rate for most of USA. Usually this will be the cheapest when shipping to the farthest zone.

Do all companys offer flat rate?
USPS has the best flat rate service. Fedex offers "One Rate" but that will only be a savings on Express shipments. If you have discounted rates with Fedex, the "One Rates" will not be cheaper, unless the box is heavy.

Q: If you don't have a shipping scale available, what would be the best website to find out the weight of a specific product?
Amazon has the shipping weight for most items. Add an additional lb or 2 for the weight of the box.

Q:When shipping to an apt building, will the package gets left in the hallway of by the recipients door?
A:It depends on the delivery driver. I would recommend requiring a signature when shipping to an apartment so that it will not get left outside.

Q:If USPS loses a package that wasn't insured, has tracking code. Can I get money from them?
A:$100 of insurance is included in Priority Mail Express service.
$50 insurance is included in Priority Mail service.
https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-and-extra-services.htm

Q:What Carrier is the cheapest to send packages 1LB - 5LB NY to Canada?
USPS Priority likely will be the cheapest. If you have discounted rates with Fedex or UPS they may be cheaper.

Q:Items that I am shipping that the item is packaged in a box; is it necessary to put it in a shipping box or a shipping bag is good enough?
A:Depends what you are shipping. A bag is fine for items that wont get damaged in a bag. I use a bag all the time for such items.

I buy small boxes at Uline, its about $0.30 for a 7x4x4 - which in dimensional weight its 1lb.

You could also consider bubble envelopes ...

Q:How well priced is amazon shipping?
For having inventory shipped to Amazon using their UPS account, by far that is the cheapest option. For having an item shipped to a customer using Amazons shipping rates, they are not the best rates. If you ship enough to get discounted rates with UPS of Fedex you will be bettor off using your own account.

Q: How much does it cost for UPS Pickup?
UPS charges $22 for weekly pickups - if you are not shipping with your own UPS account (e.g. Amazons account) If you ship with your own account at least $75 weekly then the fee is $11.
It is about the same rates with Fedex.

How Much is pickup for one package?

Q: How can I get around it? Flag down a driver
Flagging a driver down not necessarily is the best way around the daily pickup fee. If you are shipping daily for the convenience it should be worth to have a daily pickup.
With Fedex if you do not have an daily pickup and give the packages to a driver you will be charged $3 per box.
Additionaly many drivers do not like accepting packages from people that do not have a daily pickup, as they have to save room on their truck for their daily pickup customers.


Q: What Are the flat rate sizes?
« Last edited by myi on January 10, 2022, 02:13:34 AM »

Author Topic: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When  (Read 250125 times)

Offline beeweegee

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #140 on: December 02, 2013, 10:53:03 PM »
you can try usps flat rate box it should be cheaper and quicker
Just checked their website, they don't have flat rate boxes that size. Their rates to ship large packages by size and weight, though, are slower, but are in fact cheaper (at least for this particular package) . Thanks!

Offline WAM

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #141 on: December 03, 2013, 01:03:21 AM »
What is Fedex Smart post? I selected this shipping option on eBay to send a package, however I don't see anything "Fedex" on the label, just USPS, is something wrong or what?
I'm pretty sure it's an agreement between FedEx and USPS. Somehow uses both of their services.

Offline Mark F

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #142 on: December 05, 2013, 03:25:11 PM »
I am looking to open a shipping account? Which is recommended; UPS or Fedex? Any of them do daily house pickups? Is there a charge for  house pickups?

Offline yoss6400

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #143 on: December 05, 2013, 06:34:55 PM »
I am looking to open a shipping account? Which is recommended; UPS or Fedex? Any of them do daily house pickups? Is there a charge for  house pickups?
There is a $6 charge for pickups
or a $20 weekly
"Credit Cards delaying arguments for 30 Days"

Offline jaywhy

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #144 on: December 05, 2013, 06:43:27 PM »
USPS Priority (or Parcel Post) should be the cheapest.
Thanks. All arrived intact.

Offline Mark F

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #145 on: December 05, 2013, 06:55:27 PM »
There is a $6 charge for pickups
or a $20 weekly

with fedex or ups?

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #146 on: December 05, 2013, 07:34:09 PM »
There is a $6 charge for pickups
or a $20 weekly
With Fedex
The package pickup charge is $3 a package

If you have a weekly pickup, there is no fee per package.
Daily pickup fee costs $11 a week (if you ship $75 or more per week, if not its $22)

I found Fedex pricing better, and more negotiable.

Offline Mark F

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #147 on: December 05, 2013, 08:08:06 PM »
With Fedex
The package pickup charge is $3 a package

If you have a weekly pickup, there is no fee per package.
Daily pickup fee costs $11 a week (if you ship $75 or more per week, if not its $22)

I found Fedex pricing better, and more negotiable.

How does pickup work? I need to be home or I can leave the packages outside for them?
Do they supply envelopes/boxes?

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #148 on: December 05, 2013, 09:00:26 PM »
How does pickup work? I need to be home or I can leave the packages outside for them?
Do they supply envelopes/boxes?
You could leave the packages ouside.

They supply Boxes, and envelopes for Express shipments.

They supply printing labels for free!

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #149 on: December 05, 2013, 09:29:16 PM »
You could leave the packages ouside.

They supply Boxes, and envelopes for Express shipments.

They supply printing labels for free!


Ok now how do printing labels work? Do I need a special sized printer for them?

I am used to shipping with USPS through eBay, is there anything different if I use Fedex? Is fedex cheaper?

Offline Mark F

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #150 on: December 07, 2013, 11:34:50 PM »
Where is the cheapest place to order shipping supplies from?

When printing Fedex shipping labels, do I need a special label printer or a regular printer is good?

Offline ilherman

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #151 on: December 07, 2013, 11:38:46 PM »
Where is the cheapest place to order shipping supplies from?

When printing Fedex shipping labels, do I need a special label printer or a regular printer is good?
ULINE is very good. You can also call them and try to get higher quantity prices.
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline Yeki89

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #152 on: December 07, 2013, 11:43:06 PM »
I use a guy in lakewood, he delivers

917-903-7038

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #153 on: December 08, 2013, 12:01:20 AM »
I use a guy in lakewood, he delivers

917-903-7038

Whats his company name?

Do I need a special printer to print fedex labels or reg printer is good?

Offline mena613

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #154 on: December 10, 2013, 03:21:35 PM »

I need to send a bunch of very big and heavy packages abroad and have gotten astronomical quotes due to the
fact that I dont own a commercial shipping account by any of the big guys... DHL and FedEx.

Are there any heimishe guys in the NY area who are in the shipping business ?

Do any of you guys have a commercial account I could use and ill pay you cash for it ?

Each package could cost a few hundred USD...

pretty desperate for assistance here..

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #155 on: December 10, 2013, 03:30:22 PM »
Ok now how do printing labels work? Do I need a special sized printer for them?

I am used to shipping with USPS through eBay, is there anything different if I use Fedex? Is fedex cheaper?
All depends on what you are shipping and what the value of the item.

USPS typically will be cheaper on 1-2 lb packages.

I use Fedex over USPS, as the items I mostly ship have a higher value, Fedex is more reliable, and after insurance it usually is cheaper.

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #156 on: December 10, 2013, 03:37:05 PM »
If I open a Fedex account will I get cheaper rates then using Fedex through eBay?

Do I need special labels and printer to print fedex labels?

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #157 on: December 10, 2013, 03:42:41 PM »
If I open a Fedex account will I get cheaper rates then using Fedex through eBay?

Do I need special labels and printer to print fedex labels?
The rates thru eBay will be cheaper than if you just open an account.

You are able to negotiate rates with Fedex if you ship volume.

You do not need a special printer.

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #158 on: December 10, 2013, 03:47:50 PM »
ok thanx

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Re: **Shipping Master Thread** What service To Use When
« Reply #159 on: December 10, 2013, 05:07:34 PM »
Can anyone recommend a decent shipping scale. I'd rather spend as least as possible but it needs to a decent one.thanx