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Shocked by UPS shipping charge
- Thread starter Chrisk-K
- Start date
USPS just raised their pricing on everything except the price of a first class letter.
As of today, Priority Mail rates went up by almost 10%
As of today, Priority Mail rates went up by almost 10%
Sounds like you got off easy to me...
I spent $130 shipping a bass from Tennessee to Oregon last year.... only use FedEx now. It's usually about $40-50 for anything within 800 or so miles.
I suppose I get more reasonable rates being in the middle of a huge metropolitan city. Most of the time I was looking at $50-80 to ship a bass, thus why I HATE shipping them. A decent shipping box is about $15 as well, so tack that on and any cost of packing materials as well.
Damnnn...I gotta bass listed here, might just keep it since I'll lose my a** with these ludacris shipping charges..
Always shipped USPS and never had a problem. Haven't shipped one in a while but i think the last one cost me $55 to ship insured Priority with tracking and sig required.
You can smooze shipping boxes from your local GC. They have never had a prob hooking me up with a Fender bass shipping box, and i've never had a bit of problem with the basses arriving in the same shape as they left.
You can smooze shipping boxes from your local GC. They have never had a prob hooking me up with a Fender bass shipping box, and i've never had a bit of problem with the basses arriving in the same shape as they left.
*Avoid storefront shipping sites like "The UPS Store" as they charge premium prices. You're better off finding and utilizing local hubs / terminals.
*Don't be afraid to "shave down" a grossly over-sized shipping carton as dimensions do have an impact.
*If allowed, ship to your place of business (provided it doesn't piss-off your employer) as it is cheaper. You may have to amend your PayPal profile.
Riis
*Don't be afraid to "shave down" a grossly over-sized shipping carton as dimensions do have an impact.
*If allowed, ship to your place of business (provided it doesn't piss-off your employer) as it is cheaper. You may have to amend your PayPal profile.
Riis
I have found I usually have to check UPS, FedEx and USPS to see who is giving the best price on a given route. Even though I don't ship a lot, I created accounts for all three. On-line purchase of shipping costs less on all three. In one case FedEx wanted $60 or so to ship a guitar and in the FedEx Store it would have been almost $90.
FedEx Ground can be significantly cheaper than UPS or USPS...as long as the address you give them is in their coverage area.
As others have said, try to use the smallest box you can, as external dimensions are much more important than weight.
As others have said, try to use the smallest box you can, as external dimensions are much more important than weight.
I have never had an kline quote turn out to be that in the real world.
I have shipped all 3 ways. They all vose roughly the same for me. Fedex all the way for me. They are more reliable, friendly, and they don't abuse the boxes. Can't say that for ups or the post office.
I have shipped all 3 ways. They all vose roughly the same for me. Fedex all the way for me. They are more reliable, friendly, and they don't abuse the boxes. Can't say that for ups or the post office.
I've never paid more than $50 to ship a bass using Fedex Ground. It's a little cheaper if you have your own account, pack your own box and print your own labels.
You would think that with the huge decline in gas and diesel over the past 8 months that courier/shipping costs would be moving downwards instead of upwards. I can't help but see this as anything more than corporate greed.
TD
TD
really? $72 do carry a box the width of a continent...seems reasonable to me...fuel, labour, overhead (insurance, wear and tear on vehicle etc etc ), profit.....what do you think would be reasonable?
What really, really ticks me off with FedEx Ground and UPS is that their shipping rates change daily according to the price of fuel................that is................when the price of fuel is up, then their shipping rates also go up.
But........................when the price of fuel is down, the shipping rate DOES NOT go down!
I hate them both!
It really sucks selling basses on TalkBass because everybody expects a "shipped price". The price for shipping varies according to distance. And, with PayPal's 2.9 % charge and shipping for a bass that can be near $100 bucks (according to distance), a seller can loose WELL over $100 for is bass or amp or whatever.
Example, sell a MusicMan Stingray for $900 on TalkBass and pocket about $790.
About 3 years ago, I shipped a P Bass from Central Ohio to Reno, Nevada. I figured about $45 for shipping. Wrong! It cost $79. I took a $34 hit from what I expected selling that damn bass!
I always give Craigs List a shot before I go TalkBass, Reverb.com or eBay. I can sell a bass on C. List for well under $100 less compared to the others and still come out better off. But, there are a lot of "poor folks" for C. List and they have no cash, a limited market too.
But........................when the price of fuel is down, the shipping rate DOES NOT go down!
I hate them both!
It really sucks selling basses on TalkBass because everybody expects a "shipped price". The price for shipping varies according to distance. And, with PayPal's 2.9 % charge and shipping for a bass that can be near $100 bucks (according to distance), a seller can loose WELL over $100 for is bass or amp or whatever.
Example, sell a MusicMan Stingray for $900 on TalkBass and pocket about $790.
About 3 years ago, I shipped a P Bass from Central Ohio to Reno, Nevada. I figured about $45 for shipping. Wrong! It cost $79. I took a $34 hit from what I expected selling that damn bass!
I always give Craigs List a shot before I go TalkBass, Reverb.com or eBay. I can sell a bass on C. List for well under $100 less compared to the others and still come out better off. But, there are a lot of "poor folks" for C. List and they have no cash, a limited market too.
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FedEx is better but all these guys gouge.
When fuel prices soared the prices of ground shipping did as well. All that carriers explained that they have to factor fuel in as one of their largest costs.
But of course now that fuel prices have plummeted their prices have stayed the same.
And forget the usps. Unless you are ok with your bass getting lost in space. Just do a google search on "postal worker dumping mail."
When fuel prices soared the prices of ground shipping did as well. All that carriers explained that they have to factor fuel in as one of their largest costs.
But of course now that fuel prices have plummeted their prices have stayed the same.
And forget the usps. Unless you are ok with your bass getting lost in space. Just do a google search on "postal worker dumping mail."
USPS is always cheaper until you factor in insurance. Add poor tracking capabilities and employees who have no respect for your package and that means a no-go for me.
UPS customer service is horrendous. I was flying out of town last week on a day a bass was supposed to be delivered. Went to the website while in transit and paid the $8 to have it delivered within a 2-hour time frame that I chose. Guess what? I now need to call them about a refund again and have to drive across town tonight to pick it up from a customer center because they didn't honor the window. Another funny thing is when this happened in the past, I had it routed to a UPS Store. Last time I did this the franchisee told me they will no longer hold my over-sized packages as they do not have the room. Thanks UPS.
FedEx has been the best for me. Friendly, treat packages well, competitive rates, good hours and customer service is excellent when something goes wrong.
UPS customer service is horrendous. I was flying out of town last week on a day a bass was supposed to be delivered. Went to the website while in transit and paid the $8 to have it delivered within a 2-hour time frame that I chose. Guess what? I now need to call them about a refund again and have to drive across town tonight to pick it up from a customer center because they didn't honor the window. Another funny thing is when this happened in the past, I had it routed to a UPS Store. Last time I did this the franchisee told me they will no longer hold my over-sized packages as they do not have the room. Thanks UPS.
FedEx has been the best for me. Friendly, treat packages well, competitive rates, good hours and customer service is excellent when something goes wrong.
I think this is one of many reasons sales are slow. As a seller it's hard to ship for free anymore. I also have had pretty good luck with craigslist lately. I would also add that buyers on Reverb.com are more accustomed to paying for at least some of the shipping so it gets offset.
It's hard to ship a bass across country for any less than about $75 these days. As far as USPS, I use them only when I have to. I shipped a six string Spector Euro last year from Sacramento to San Diego and it got lost for about three weeks. When I filed a claim it magically re-appeared - say what you want about FedEx or UPS, that is the exception and not the rule.
I generally use FedEx and have had the best service and they are always a little cheaper.
It's hard to ship a bass across country for any less than about $75 these days. As far as USPS, I use them only when I have to. I shipped a six string Spector Euro last year from Sacramento to San Diego and it got lost for about three weeks. When I filed a claim it magically re-appeared - say what you want about FedEx or UPS, that is the exception and not the rule.
I generally use FedEx and have had the best service and they are always a little cheaper.
Yep- and if you don't print the label from the paypal/ebay site and go to buy it in the store- you are in for a surprise. They tried to charge me almost double on an 18x12x18 box! I said, "Are you aware this shipping label costs $18 on paypal and you are charging me $39?" They know and don't care. I said "OK I'll go print it at home and come back" They also RAPE you on the box prices- 12x12x12 box- how about $8 with tax!
My days of buying and selling basses on ebay are OVER. I will donate them to charity and take the full price tax write off instead. The hit you take on Ebay fees (~15% when you consider they also charge fees on the SHIPPING (go figure)), low sales price to move anything and shipping charges is insane.
