A Note About (Relatively) Inexpensive Shipping of Tools

[Bolster]

I'm sure most of the forum knows this already, but if not...

Lots of (heavy) hand tools that are relatively flat can be shipped via USPS priority mail flat rate envelopes or boxes for much less money than USPS parcel post or UPS or FedEx or other options that charge by the pound.

There is a USPS priority mail flat rate envelope (12.5" X 9.5") that goes for around $4.80, which is a screaming deal these days. Just now I packed 4 wrenches...between 2 & 3 pounds...into one. (Compare that to regular priority mail at $11.50 or even "bargain priced" parcel post at $8.12)

There is a USPS priority mail flat rate envelope LEGAL SIZE, have not been able to figure out if it costs more than the above or not. Anybody know? They're the same size as above but 15" long.

There are USPS priority mail flat rate boxes:
11" x 8.5" x 5.5"
13.625" x 11.875" x 3.375"
$9.80

There's the USPS priority mail LARGE flat rate box:
12" x 12" x 5.5"
$12.95
...you can get a significant portion of a tool collection into that sucker.

The key to shipping happiness with flat rate items is to pre-order the (free, or prepaid) envelopes and/or boxes so they are waiting for you. USPS will just ship the empties to your home, business, or whatever. I keep a stock on hand for buying, selling, and trading tools.

With a stock of supplies, and my computer to ship either via the USPS site, or via PayPal, I seldom ever visit the post office anymore. Just pack, print, and put the 'red flag' up on my mailbox for a pickup. No more standing in line for me!

https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/st...=13354&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=

Hope this helps. If you know of other good deals for shipping, please post them here!

 

[Red Green]

Re: A Note About Shipping Tools

You can pick up most of the supplies in person at the post office.

 

[Junkman]

Re: A Note About Shipping Tools

You can also save on shipping if you prepay the postage by using the www.usps.com website. Not sure exactly what the percentage is, but it is a savings. I usually pay for postage with my PayPal account, but I believe that they have an option where you can enter a credit card.... There are also new pricing schedule to go into effect in January 2009, and again an across the board price change scheduled for May 2009

 

[Junkman]

Re: A Note About Shipping Tools

You can pick up most of the supplies in person at the post office.

This depends on the postmaster of the local post office. My post office will not give out bulk supplies. If you request one box or envelope, they will gladly give it to you, but if you request more than one or two, they say to order them from the website. They basically keep in stock what they need for the customer coming to the window, but don't have enough backup material to give to the general public.

 

[Rigmaster]

This is good info, I've been using USPS Flat rate stuff ever since they introduced it. The best thing I've sent was 2 limited-slip diff carriers in a flat rate box, total weight was like 45 lbs!! I taped the whole outside of the box so it would not/could not break open.


A funny story about the flat rate envelope, I shipped a couple of small manuals in one envelope, they were kind of thick, but definitely did not overload the envelope. I dropped it off in person at the local PO and the clerk said "you can't send this like this", and when I politely asked why, she replied "this is a flat rate envelope but it's BULGING, not flat, so I can't give you the flat rate"....


I first thought she was joking, but she was 100% serious. I asked her to confirm this, she asked another clerk who said it was fine and took it and threw it in the sort bin.


True story....


Rig

 

[LoneGunman]

This is good info, I've been using USPS Flat rate stuff ever since they introduced it. The best thing I've sent was 2 limited-slip diff carriers in a flat rate box, total weight was like 45 lbs!! I taped the whole outside of the box so it would not/could not break open.


A funny story about the flat rate envelope, I shipped a couple of small manuals in one envelope, they were kind of thick, but definitely did not overload the envelope. I dropped it off in person at the local PO and the clerk said "you can't send this like this", and when I politely asked why, she replied "this is a flat rate envelope but it's BULGING, not flat, so I can't give you the flat rate"....


I first thought she was joking, but she was 100% serious. I asked her to confirm this, she asked another clerk who said it was fine and took it and threw it in the sort bin.


True story....


Rig

Bulging is fine, their rules state that it has to close with the sticky strip they provide on the envelope. I am not a fan of most USPS empoyees. I had one totally freak out when I attempted to mail a handgun, I was a dealer and it was being shipped to another licensed dealer which is perfectly legal and within their regulations. I went as far as the postmaster to get it corrected and to get an apology.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Bulging is fine, their rules state that it has to close with the sticky strip they provide on the envelope. I am not a fan of most USPS empoyees. I had one totally freak out when I attempted to mail a handgun, I was a dealer and it was being shipped to another licensed dealer which is perfectly legal and within their regulations. I went as far as the postmaster to get it corrected and to get an apology.

I like this true story

For even bigger items.. I tend to use FedEX, they seem to have cheaper rates than UPS. And you get a discount by signing up with fedex, its alot quicker than doing the "paper work" at a fedex center.

 

[Rickster]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109721

 

[Red Green]

Huh I have never been thrown out of a post office. It must have a lot to do with how busy the office is. The local office is a small town they close the office for a lunch hour. The people seem to be happy just to have some one to talk to so they tell me what my choices are and the prices.

 

[Rigmaster]

I have been thrown out of several post ofices! I try to pack everything into those $5 post office flat rate mailers. Evidently the "official" ruling on the flat rate mailers and packages is that it's up to the individual postal clerks to accept or deny based on the amount of tape on the envelope. They don't want to see a lot of tape on those flat rate mailers but I've never had any issues with bulges. Another thing I learned is that if you are shipping books, magazines, audio or video tape then you mark the envelope with "MEDIA" and the rates are way cheaper.... it's a post office secret. Always ask for the cheapest rate when not flat rate because they will charge you the higher 2-day rate if you don't ask. Also for heavier packages just save the time and go to FedEx. I use the one in a FedEx/Kinko's and they are by far the cheapest for heavier packages. And NEVER go to one of those Mail Box stores in the mini-malls, they add their share to the price and they're always more expensive.

"Media mail" has some VERY strict restrictions, but as long as you're shipping something resembling a book or magazine(s) or some paper stuff, you should be OK. BUT, whatever you do, DO NOT use the free priority mail packaging supplies for Media Mail (or parcel post or whatever). If the PO finds you doing this, they can and will charge you for a priority mail shipment.


As for the "bulging" flat rate envelope I tried to ship, I'm still amazed that a USPS employee told me that bunch of BS about "flat rate" meaning the envelope had to be flat......... I guess I'm not THAT surprised, but I still find it funny in a sad kind of way....



OH, and I always put plenty of clear tape on those USPS envelopes, because I do not want my stuff falling out of the envelope somewhere along the way because of their crappy glue!

 

[Rickster]

Huh I have never been thrown out of a post office. It must have a lot to do with how busy the office is.

They told me to leave with the flat rate mailer and repackage it in a regular box. I wound up going to another post office and mailed it as-is. Some of the clerks are real *******, others are really cool. Never had a problem with any of the guys, but the younger ladies are to be avoided... IMO.

 

[LoneGunman]

"I'm still amazed that a USPS employee told me that bunch of BS about "flat rate" meaning the envelope had to be flat"

Sounds like most of the government employees I have dealt with.

 

[Bolster]

A word about Media Mail...the way it works (ie, the reason it is so cheap) is that it sits on the dock waiting for an open space in the back of a truck or train to ship. So media mail can be as fast as regular mail some times of the year, and then be agonizingly slow around Xmas. All depends on whether someone can find room to convey it, and it gets last priority.

In general, Media Mail has been getting faster and more reliable over time.

And as others have said, the contents have to be media...books, etc, and if I recollect, anything that might have advertising in it does not qualify as media. So I've taken it that magazines are technically a 'grey area' but everybody ships magazines MM all the time.

It all depends if you happen to hit the employee who thinks "flat rate" means the envelope is flat. That employee probably thinks the world is flat, too.

 

[64merc]

They told me to leave with the flat rate mailer and repackage it in a regular box. I wound up going to another post office and mailed it as-is. Some of the clerks are real *******, others are really cool. Never had a problem with any of the guys, but the younger ladies are to be avoided... IMO.

I always get "creative" with the flat rate envelopes and I have only been denied one time (idiot!). I didn't even waste any time arguing. I just went to another PO and mailed it as is. I ALWAYS wrap it with plenty of the free Priority Mail blue tape. I've read the rules and this should be legal as far as I can tell.

 

[caper]

Speaking from a Canadians point of view,if you guys ever ship anything to us guys up north,please don't use ups.They charges us guys brokerage fees to take things across the border.Last thing that someone shipped me ups cost me upwards of fifty bucks for broker fees and when I looked at the receipt there wasn't even any duty paid.Seller paid the shipping stateside and then I get a bill for $54 dollars at the door for a $40 purchase.Usps rules when shipping to us,I've only been charged duty once one something shipped usps.

 

[Rickster]

The post office - USPS - will ship the flat rate mailers and boxes internationally for more money but they cap the weight at whatevers pre written on the side of the box. I believe the $5 mailer will ship at $10 and the larger boxes will ship in the $20 to 30 range.

 

[Skyline]

I would like to caution you folks against sending tools in flat rate envelopes. About 8 months ago, they redesigned these envelopes to use lighter weight cardboard, and they just don't hold up. We have always used lots of extra packing tape, but you are not permitted to put packing tape over the closure. We were getting about a 1-2% rate of people telling us that they got an empty envelope.

We sent over 200 tool packages in the month of November alone to give you an idea, so there's not too much about USPS that we have not seen. Since our sales are all from eBay, the buyer is paying the shipping anyway, so if it costs a little more to use a box, (depends on the zone...sometimes it's the same cost)...so be it. We have had 100% delivery success with the boxes.

Another recommendation: For items under 13 Oz., we use bubble mailers from Uline, and mail using 1st class package rate. These brown bubble envelopes were 1/3 the cost of my local Staples stationary store ($.30 each if you buy a big box), and have also been failure free.

Oh, and one other thing: Don't forget that all the flat rate Priority services change (go up) Jan 18th 2009. One nice thing is that they are adding a small flat rate box that will be the same price as the flat rate envelope. (This may make my recommendation above a moot point!) I do not know the exact size, and you can not order it yet from USPS online. If it's the size of the current fold up video mailers that would be great.