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| | | Author: | SDF_Bricks  | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 14:22 | | Subject: | Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 121 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| I recently started selling and still learning about shipping in the US. I have
a couple of options, either flat rate shipping, or based on weight/dimensions.
The flat rate is interesting as the USPS offers standard size boxes/envelopes,
and thus no need to buy boxes from Staples and cut them to size.
Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
Thank You ... still learning.
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| | | | | Author: | rainbowmist | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 14:35 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I recently started selling and still learning about shipping in the US. I have
a couple of options, either flat rate shipping, or based on weight/dimensions.
The flat rate is interesting as the USPS offers standard size boxes/envelopes,
and thus no need to buy boxes from Staples and cut them to size.
Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
Thank You ... still learning.
|
Most buyers prefer the cheapest option like first class thru usps. When having
a larger order over 16 oz the flat rate sometimes helps to the different zip
codes.
This helps me.
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| | | | | Author: | bricksahead | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 15:04 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 28 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| My experience is that the rates for USPS flat rate boxes for the most part are
more expensive compared to weight or dimensional based shipping rates. That wasn't
always the case a couple of years ago.
Many post offices only stock the flat rate boxes but other sizes are available
online with free shipping:
https://store.usps.com/store/results/shipping-supplies/_/N-7d0v8v?_requestid=208721
I also recommend that you check UPS for heavier orders or orders where the shipping
rate is based on a dimensional weight as UPS seem to offer more competitive rates
than USPS.
You may be able to order shipping boxes online and pick them up locally but then
usually have to purchase in multiples of e.g. 10, 25 or 50.
PSA is just one company that offers pick up from several warehouses in The United
States:
https://www.psausa.com/#/category/901
Search online for packaging supplies companies in your area.
In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I recently started selling and still learning about shipping in the US. I have
a couple of options, either flat rate shipping, or based on weight/dimensions.
The flat rate is interesting as the USPS offers standard size boxes/envelopes,
and thus no need to buy boxes from Staples and cut them to size.
Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
Thank You ... still learning.
|
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| | | | | Author: | peregrinator | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 15:12 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
|
Flat rate is more expensive than using your own box and buying priority mail
postage at commercial rates (e.g. through Pirate Ship) - even if you're buying
flat rate postage at the commercial rate.
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| | | | | | | Author: | Shiny_Stuff | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 15:55 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, peregrinator writes:
| | In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
|
Flat rate is more expensive than using your own box and buying priority mail
postage at commercial rates (e.g. through Pirate Ship) - even if you're buying
flat rate postage at the commercial rate.
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I cannot remember the last time I used a USPS Flat Rate Box. It is no longer
the best deal for shipping typical BL orders.
Regional Box A, however, I do use fairly often to ship Lego. There are two styles
of Regional Box A -- one top-loader and one side-loader box.
ARRRGGGHHH. I just discovered THIS bit of news:
USPS Regional A and B boxes have been discontinued.
https://www.wiyre.com/guide-using-usps-priority-flat-rate-regional-boxes/
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | Andy_Bell | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 16:47 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Shiny_Stuff writes:
| | In Shipping, peregrinator writes:
| | In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
|
Flat rate is more expensive than using your own box and buying priority mail
postage at commercial rates (e.g. through Pirate Ship) - even if you're buying
flat rate postage at the commercial rate.
|
I cannot remember the last time I used a USPS Flat Rate Box. It is no longer
the best deal for shipping typical BL orders.
Regional Box A, however, I do use fairly often to ship Lego. There are two styles
of Regional Box A -- one top-loader and one side-loader box.
ARRRGGGHHH. I just discovered THIS bit of news:
USPS Regional A and B boxes have been discontinued.
https://www.wiyre.com/guide-using-usps-priority-flat-rate-regional-boxes/
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Let me add this information
https://link.usps.com/2022/12/29/priority-mail-change/
"Customers may continue to use any of the boxes that remain in their inventory,
but they will be treated as weight-and-rate packages."
Which is often cheaper than flat rate - a good time to get some free boxes. I
just had 10 each of 2 sizes delivered.
Also cubic shipping rate - I use shipstation via PayPal
"An alternative to Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes is Priority Mail Cubic,
a sub-service of Priority Mail. Customers use their own packaging for shipping,
but pricing is based on dimensions rather than weight. Priority Mail Cubic offers
a similar cost savings to Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes."
From shipstation
Updated October 25, 2022
"USPS cubic pricing is available by default when creating labels in ShipStation."
"ShipStation will automatically apply the cubic rate whenever it's cheaper
than the priority rate."
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Shiny_Stuff | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 17:12 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 29 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Andy_Bell writes:
| | In Shipping, Shiny_Stuff writes:
https://link.usps.com/2022/12/29/priority-mail-change/
"Customers may continue to use any of the boxes that remain in their inventory,
but they will be treated as weight-and-rate packages."
Which is often cheaper than flat rate - a good time to get some free boxes. I
just had 10 each of 2 sizes delivered.
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Agreed. I just ordered 5 cases of each of the four Regional Boxes. The boxes
are good for regular Priority Mail forever, and any leftover boxes that USPS
has on hand will just be junked. I don't mind storing some for a few years.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | SDF_Bricks | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 17:14 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Andy_Bell writes:
| | In Shipping, Shiny_Stuff writes:
| | In Shipping, peregrinator writes:
| | In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | Hence my question: IN general, is it better to go 'flat rate' and use
standard/free boxes or am I better off using my won boxes (more work) and calculate
the shipping cost manually based on dimensions and weight?
|
Flat rate is more expensive than using your own box and buying priority mail
postage at commercial rates (e.g. through Pirate Ship) - even if you're buying
flat rate postage at the commercial rate.
|
I cannot remember the last time I used a USPS Flat Rate Box. It is no longer
the best deal for shipping typical BL orders.
Regional Box A, however, I do use fairly often to ship Lego. There are two styles
of Regional Box A -- one top-loader and one side-loader box.
ARRRGGGHHH. I just discovered THIS bit of news:
USPS Regional A and B boxes have been discontinued.
https://www.wiyre.com/guide-using-usps-priority-flat-rate-regional-boxes/
____
|
Let me add this information
https://link.usps.com/2022/12/29/priority-mail-change/
"Customers may continue to use any of the boxes that remain in their inventory,
but they will be treated as weight-and-rate packages."
Which is often cheaper than flat rate - a good time to get some free boxes. I
just had 10 each of 2 sizes delivered.
Also cubic shipping rate - I use shipstation via PayPal
"An alternative to Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes is Priority Mail Cubic,
a sub-service of Priority Mail. Customers use their own packaging for shipping,
but pricing is based on dimensions rather than weight. Priority Mail Cubic offers
a similar cost savings to Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes."
From shipstation
Updated October 25, 2022
"USPS cubic pricing is available by default when creating labels in ShipStation."
"ShipStation will automatically apply the cubic rate whenever it's cheaper
than the priority rate."
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Thank you gentlemen. This is really useful (and confusing at times too).
A while back I sold a large set, and had to pay shipping/retail for $50. The
buyer was no too happy and I want to avoid repeating that.
In any event, a while later I sent a padded envelope with few parts in it, and
the US Mail person insisted that it had to go small parcel as First Class was
NOT allowed for non-paper items. Later on I found he was wrong, but nonetheless
he made me pay more than I needed. It's a pity the wording on the USPS is
so poor, even their employees have no clue sometimes.
See now, if you get boxes from the post office. you can't even flip them
inside out (they're printed on both side) as they want you to pay the premium
'flat rate' ... so confusing.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Jan 10, 2023 17:35 | | Subject: | Re: Shipping in the US - Which is cheaper? | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, SDF_Bricks writes:
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In any event, a while later I sent a padded envelope with few parts in it, and
the US Mail person insisted that it had to go small parcel as First Class was
NOT allowed for non-paper items. Later on I found he was wrong, but nonetheless
he made me pay more than I needed. It's a pity the wording on the USPS is
so poor, even their employees have no clue sometimes.
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Okay, I know I just said I wasn't going to jump in on shipping-related stuff,
but...
There are First Class Letter rates for which basically only paper is allowed.
Don't use that for LEGO stuff.
For domestic shipping on BrickLink you only have to know two things:
1. First Class Package rates that we all use for bubble mailers and lightweight
boxes.
2. Priority mail for anything over 1 pound.
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USA, Illinois
