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Shipping goods?

O

oniq

Banned
What is the best way to ship items? I've never shipped anything and am currently in the middle of a cross trade. I'm thinking of shipping USPS, but the post office is only open till 5pm, and I work until 5. I was looking on the USPS website and you can print a label on it to ship items. Can someone walk me through the process of shipping something?
 
I like UPS personally. You pretty much box it up, put the send and return address on, tell them what method of shipping you want, and how much/any insurance, and that's it.
 
fedex or ups counters are good. don't use mailboxes etc or some place like that. they wanted $250 to ship a computer 3 day with $1000 insurance..:disgust: fedex counter charged me like $50.
 
If you have a metered USPS account, you can just print your own postage then drop it off at any post office, or stuff it in a mailbox/mailroom.
 
So Mailboxes, Etc. isn't a good choice? I plan on shipping an iPaq through USPS or UPS, and they both close by the time I get out of work. I guess I'll just give them a try anyway just to make sure. If they charge too much, I'll go elsewhere. Thanks for the replies.
 
You can open an account online with USPS and print out already postmarked labels and stick it in your mail box or give it to the postman at work. Given the weight is like you say it is, then all will be ok and they will ship it no prob. I did it once and without problem.

Go


here and register then you will be able to pay for postage etc. It does say there somewhere that you can simply hand it to the postal carrier, or schedule a pickup for $12.50.


Hope that helps make it easier for you, I know it did for me 🙂
 
So Mailboxes, Etc. isn't a good choice? I plan on shipping an iPaq through USPS or UPS, and they both close by the time I get out of work.
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Mailboxes Etc. will rip you on the shipping fees. However, since you need a place that will be open after 5:00 P.M. for you - consider dropping by your local Staples or Office Depot stores. Both offer UPS counter rates so you'll pay the same as if you dropped your package off directly with UPS. I can't comment on the service provided by Staples, but I've used the UPS shipping option through Office Depot on more than one occasion and the service has been good.
 
Mailboxes Etc. will rip you on the shipping fees. However, since you need a place that will be open after 5:00 P.M. for you - consider dropping by your local Staples or Office Depot stores. Both offer UPS counter rates so you'll pay the same as if you dropped your package off directly with UPS. I can't comment on the service provided by Staples, but I've used the UPS shipping option through Office Depot on more than one occasion and the service has been good.
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Hey, thanks for the tip! I'll give Staples a try, there aren't any Office Depots around.
 
What are the most cost effective carriers for each weight? Say every 5 pounds up to 50 pounds or whatever the breakdown is? Is USPS the cheapest for sending bubble wrapped CD media with jewel case? I need to send about 7 of these to family and friends including one overseas in France.
 
Originally posted by: Cheese78CA
What are the most cost effective carriers for each weight? Say every 5 pounds up to 50 pounds or whatever the breakdown is? Is USPS the cheapest for sending bubble wrapped CD media with jewel case? I need to send about 7 of these to family and friends including one overseas in France.
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Post office is good for most international stuff. UPS and FedEx have very hefty rates going out of country.

-PAB
 
Thanks Andy,

How about within the US for packages? I remember reading USPS Priority is cheapest for up to 5 lbs? Well, maybe for a buck or two more, but like 3days versus like 3? Is that correct or am I way off? How about for packages over 5 lbs? Also, is it generally acceptable to mail eBay packages in the manufacture's original packaging even if the cardboard is nice (versus plain as used in most generic computer boxes) with pics of the contents?
Thanks again.
 
Just curious, did you ask the other person for references?

Edit: Nevermind. It looks like you already traded with the other person. Reason was because you seemed a bit new and didn't have any references. So I was wondering who would cross-trade with someone who had very few or no references at all. It smelled like a troll's trap at first but glad to see that everything went well. You and the other person should be a bit more cautious next time and should only trade with longstanding members with a good list of heatwares. Just a friendly heads up.
 
you say you dont get off work until 5..

perhaps you could go before work or during lunch. shouldnt take that long (although the PO is probably packed at lunch.. though maybe not.)

are PO's only open 'till 5 in the US? 😕
 
I'm just wondering about shipping here... Do people on eBay usually have direct links to heatware? I just go by eBay ratings since I trade only on eBay.


Originally posted by: DAWeinG
Just curious, did you ask the other person for references?

Edit: Nevermind. It looks like you already traded with the other person. Reason was because you seemed a bit new and didn't have any references. So I was wondering who would cross-trade with someone who had very few or no references at all. It smelled like a troll's trap at first but glad to see that everything went well. You and the other person should be a bit more cautious next time and should only trade with longstanding members with a good list of heatwares. Just a friendly heads up.
Click to expand...

 
Originally posted by: Cheese78CA
Thanks Andy,

How about within the US for packages? I remember reading USPS Priority is cheapest for up to 5 lbs? Well, maybe for a buck or two more, but like 3days versus like 3? Is that correct or am I way off? How about for packages over 5 lbs? Also, is it generally acceptable to mail eBay packages in the manufacture's original packaging even if the cardboard is nice (versus plain as used in most generic computer boxes) with pics of the contents?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Withinn the US, I usually use UPS ground. Everything under 2 pounds that dosent need insurance (Very rare) I'll go USPS.

USPS insurance rates are beyond abysmal. UPS on a level of scale can beat their insurance rates and their ground offerings are pretty cost effective.

UPS ran an analysis for me: Priority vs 2nd day air. 39% of my stuff went to california. I'm in FL. Everything east of the Mississippi with UPS saved me $. Everything west cost me 10-15% more, however it did was day definite or my $ back. USPS does not offer time guarantees.

Mailing in the originals is no problem. Just make sure it holds togehter.

-PAB
 
I use FEDEX ground (it's cheaper than UPS usually), you can probably find a counter open until 8pm and some open on Saturdays.
 
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