Thank Goodness for USPS Flat Rate Boxes

Ron in Quincy

Ron in Quincy

Well-known member
Today I mailed some A items using a USPS large Flat Rate Box ; the box weighed 29 pounds and the cost was $15.45. The postal clerk told me had I not used the Flat Rate Box the cost would have been $56.00 .

Ron
 
When I flew down down to Texas to get my mailtruck, I shipped all my straps, tools and a few other things in a flat rate box. Like you it was almost 30 pounds, around 15 bucks, had to laugh, when the clerk stamped it about 50 times 'HEAVY'
 
and a lot less with fedex home saver....I would never ever use the USPS.. i sent a priority box, guaranteed 2-3 day, sat in the post for 4 days then took 3 days.. It was 3oo miles from where i live... UPS, Fedex any day, worth any penny more for the door to door service, JMHO
 
I renforced one of their flat rate boxes with plywood and shipped all my nuts, bolts, and other parts to a platter in the bay area to be cad plated. The box was over their max weight so I put some of the stuff in a second box.
 
It allows you to list starters and generators with FREE SHIPPING in the USA, starting at $19.99. Great deal if you get the parts free. I really think buyers check the postage/shipping rates carefully before bidding. Bob
Ron in Quincy said:
Today I mailed some A items using a USPS large Flat Rate Box ; the box weighed 29 pounds and the cost was $15.45. The postal clerk told me had I not used the Flat Rate Box the cost would have been $56.00 .

Ron
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I just got a couple of shocks in a flat rate box today
it was stamped in red
FRAGILE
 
Its hard to beat the Post Office flat rate box. UPS is so expensive that I don't buy stuff if that is the only shipping option.
 
Steve Wastler said:
When I flew down down to Texas to get my mailtruck, I shipped all my straps, tools and a few other things in a flat rate box. Like you it was almost 30 pounds, around 15 bucks, had to laugh, when the clerk stamped it about 50 times 'HEAVY'
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who did you buy your mailtruck from in Texas?
 
I'm going to have to check these flat rate boxes out next time I need to ship something. I usually go to the UPS store and it's rather expensive.
 
I sell a lot of heavy stuff like old tools on Ebay, and really like the Flat Rate boxes. If the shipping is cheap, I think bidders will bid higher and that money goes in my pocket not the shippers.
For me, UPS is a last resort. They just set the package on the step and leave no matter whether it's insured (and valuable) or not.

Mel :)
 
USPS Flat Rate boxes are the real deal, especially here in Alaska. Now if I could just convince the parts suppliers to use them. UPS & FedEx both really gouge you, even when they ship "ground" to Alaska.
 
Go to the UPS and USPS websites and type in 50 pounds and the Flat Rate Box option to any Zip Code and see how badly UPS is screwing you.
BashawT said:
I'm going to have to check these flat rate boxes out next time I need to ship something. I usually go to the UPS store and it's rather expensive.
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I use them all of the time ,great $$ saver for the customer.I wish the large were a little bigger though.Cant quite fit 2 carbs in them cause i double box them individually in smaller boxes inside the flat rate one.Use the small $5.50 ones for kits and small parts.ken ct.
 
Umm, the postal service subsidizes package shipping with 1st class postage. Did you really think the government could out compete private industry? Notice the price of fuel lately, UPS and Fedex pay the same.
 
I work for a business that ships a lot of parts both UPS and FedEx. After witnessing what I've seen of FedEx; I would never use them to ship anything. They are the most careless bunch of idiots I've ever seen and frequently destroy product on a monthly basis which ends up costing the company A LOT.

I've shipped a lot of my Model A parts in the flat rate boxes. To ship from here it's 16.00 a box but it's still very easy for me to do. I love the service.
 
Related story. I offered to give a fellow some small metal parts that I had no use for if he would pay shipping. Not close to PO for FR box so I put them in a small box to ship by parcel post, thought it would be cheaper anyway. To the post office window, clerk placed package of scale and I am looking at the screen with cost. The number that appeared was $2.80, good deal. Then she asked what was in the package, I replied auto parts. Reached into my pocket and she said $7.50 please. "What was the $2.80 that I saw"? "That was the book rate." Then i felt reall bad about offering the parts, they were not worth $2.80 let alone $7.50. Moral of the story, package everything tight, and lie.
 
Brentwood Bob said:
54 pounds of shock cores is my record. I used cardboard to isolate the cores so they would not damage the stems. Bob
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A fellow barner just shipped me 20 fuel pumps in a lrg. flat rate must be 60 # at least.I think there a 70 # limit on them. It should go by,hope so. lol ken ct.:)
 
desotoguy said:
Related story. I offered to give a fellow some small metal parts that I had no use for if he would pay shipping. Not close to PO for FR box so I put them in a small box to ship by parcel post, thought it would be cheaper anyway. To the post office window, clerk placed package of scale and I am looking at the screen with cost. The number that appeared was $2.80, good deal. Then she asked what was in the package, I replied auto parts. Reached into my pocket and she said $7.50 please. "What was the $2.80 that I saw"? "That was the book rate." Then i felt reall bad about offering the parts, they were not worth $2.80 let alone $7.50. Moral of the story, package everything tight, and lie.
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Maybe the moral of the story should be: Cut out the inside of a book and put the parts in there.

Ever wonder why books get a special rate?
 
When I shipped SIX shocks to be re-bilt..they fit in one box and was secured with fiber reinforced packing tape. The postal clerk when he picked it up asked what was in the box, I told him Shocks. He replied that he doubted that the "Shock value would be extrordinary if he were to drop it on his toe!!! ( a little postal humor:D)
Bruce Davis a400usa@nccn.net
 
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