• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Shipping Fees = Prohibitive

Have shipping fees impacted your ability to buy/sell?

  • Yes . But I deal with it

    Votes: 77 50.0%
  • Yes. So much so, now I'm just a window shopper

    Votes: 31 20.1%
  • No. I found a trick to ship without losing my backside

    Votes: 32 20.8%
  • No. I'm screwed by the inflated shipping fees, but don't care

    Votes: 14 9.1%

  • Total voters
    154

nozkcb

Supporting Member
Jan 23, 2009
872
641
www.myspace.com
I know the cost of everything is up, but I just (almost) sold a bass on Reverb and after entering the box info was given prices by FedEX and UPS ranging from $932 - $234.

This is for Ground Shipping! Not overnight, not priority, not pick up, just the same type of shipping I've used 100+ times in the past, where it used to range between $40 - $100 (on the high end with insurance on an expensive bass).

How do people sell stuff now and eat the shipping without going deep underwater on the sale?

Interested in some input
 
I sold a pedal for $350 on Reverb last week. It cost me almost $20 to ship it to Newark, NJ from my nearest post office in Austin.

Think about that. $20 clams!!!

It’s 1,800 miles away. My car gets 30-31 miles on a gallon of premium, $3.50 here and increases as you go north and east.

It would cost me $400+ in gasoline, 4 days’ full time and 3 hotel nights plus road meals, $250(?).
Let’s say I shop around and get the best prices and stay at Hampton Inn or better because I’m not doing beg bugs.

$20 to ship. $11-1,200 to deliver. That’s before I account for the value of my time or take vacation.

Yeah, you guys are struggling about nonsense.
 
Everything is expensive. Shipping a 30 pound, five foot box is especially expensive. I don't know where you're getting $932, but it's not there yet.

Who says you have to eat it?

FedEx. . .

upload_2024-3-8_10-26-37.png
 
I sold a pedal for $350 on Reverb last week. It cost me almost $20 to ship it to Newark, NJ from my nearest post office in Austin.

Think about that. $20 clams!!!

It’s 1,800 miles away. My car gets 30-31 miles on a gallon of premium, $3.50 here and increases as you go north and east.

It would cost me $400+ in gasoline, 4 days’ full time and 3 hotel nights plus road meals, $250(?).
Let’s say I shop around and get the best prices and stay at Hampton Inn or better because I’m not doing beg bugs.

$20 to ship. $11-1,200 to deliver. That’s before I account for the value of my time or take vacation.

Yeah, you guys are struggling about nonsense.

When was driving it there a comparable alternative?

I'm talking about shipping it today vs shipping it just a few years ago, when doing the same thing was substantially less expensive.

Nice non-sequitur though. How much would it cost if you box stapled it to a Llama?
 
When was driving it there a comparable alternative?

I'm talking about shipping it today vs shipping it just a few years ago, when doing the same thing was substantially less expensive.

Nice non-sequitur though. How much would it cost if you box stapled it to a Llama?
It’s an exact comp.
Problem - move an item across great distance. That’s it. That’s all.

Solution, 2 choices, pay a service what they charge or do it yourself. That’s all. It’s a binary choice.

All couriers’ rates are in line with the cost of providing the service. If it isn’t practical just don’t do it.

People here invest so much energy complaining about FedEx and UPS and USPS.
It’s how our economy stays afloat. Simple as that.
Use or don’t.
 
Perspective: Last round of delivery driver strikes/union negotiations resulted in an announcement from one of them (UPS I beleive) that they now are averaging $125,000 and up for total annual salary and benefits outlay per employee.
Need we say more?
no, that's not the issue. The issue is UPS stock buyback program/stock manipulation - in other words, making rich people richer. Also, you need to take the "total salary and benefits outlay" with a grain of salt, as those are typically standardized values, 30-40% of salary - that don't reflect reality and nebulous at best.

From UPS:
"United Parcel Service (UPS) has a $5 billion share-repurchase authorization, which replaces its existing buyback program. UPS expects to repurchase $3 billion in shares in 2023, and $5.4 billion in 2024 through dividend payments. In 2023, UPS expects to pay $5.4 billion in dividends."

 
Yep, Pirateship.com Great for UPS or USPS. I just wish they would include FedEx, but hey.......
Pirateship's rates are either the same or LESS than the rates I get with my Ebay store and selling on Reverb. All you have to do is copy and paste the shipper number into the ship area (If selling on Ebay or Reverb). I'd say a very close 2nd to sliced bread...............
Now...... let's whine about Reverb's "handling charge". Stoopid.
 

Latest posts