USPS Flate rate box question

[Q]

For the flat rate box, two questions:

1) Can I get one at a normal shipping store, aka 3rd party centers (such as AIM Mail Centers)

and

2) Do they (the actual box) cost anything besides the $8.10 for shipping?

 

[grohl]

what?

 

[intogamer]

You mean 3rd party shipping centers? I believe so

Nope... you just need the flat rate box (MAKE SURE YOU USE THAT) which is free

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: intogamer
You mean 3rd party shipping centers? I believe so

Nope... you just need the flat rate box (MAKE SURE YOU USE THAT) which is free

Yes, for 3rd party shipping centers, I was wondering if they carried them, and if they charge anything for the actual box (I know shipping the flat rate is $8.10)

 

[nod218]

The flat rate boxes have markings indicating it's a flat rate box. It comes in 2 sizes, one that a long rectangular box(11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8") and the other is more cube like (11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2") . They both cost the same amount. I am not sure if they have them anywhere other then the post office, and all you have to pay is the flat rate shipping (and maybe taxes).

 

[intogamer]

Shipping centers are suppose to carry the boxes and stuff

They make money from the labels.

 

[Q]

OK, so it seems I should be able to get the flat rates at the 3rd party shipping center, and not be charged for it (other than the $8.10)

I'm shipping a fatty PS2 with some other things and this is the cheapest method for me (well, cheapest that arrives in a reasonable time)

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Quintox
OK, so it seems I should be able to get the flat rates at the 3rd party shipping center, and not be charged for it (other than the $8.10)

I'm shipping a fatty PS2 with some other things and this is the cheapest method for me (well, cheapest that arrives in a reasonable time)

PS2 won't fit in the flat rate box. Last time I remember.
It's not that big.

It's actually pretty small.

Just get a brown box from staples or something and ship it UPS ground. It should cost 8-9 bucks max. When you ship at staples.

 

[Tom]

if you need to buy insurance Fedex ground is a good bit cheaper, and takes 3 days to about 2/3 of the country.

 

[intogamer]

You won't be able can ship a fatty ps2 in the rectangle box

Just create a label for Fedex Ground... cheaper and just drop it off anywhere

 

[Q]

No I can, if I lay it sideways, I did the math

Good ol' Pythagoras

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Quintox
No I can, if it lay is sideways, I did the math

Good ol' Pythagoras

You can fit it with packing material ?
Like bubble wrap so it won't get beat up while shipping ?

I find that hard to believe
Tkae pics and show us

 

[intogamer]

Still... when I think abotu Flat rate I also think about Fedex Ground

You might need insurance + Delivery Confirm... and most of the time fedex ground beats it

 

[Drakkon]

I'd hate to be the person your shipping that to in a flat rate box...there is nowhere near enough room to fit it in there with cables and all....well unless you had no filler (bubble wrap/etc). They dont treat flat rate boxes nicely at all, they will get tossed around, stamped on, if that ps2 survives the trip in a flat rate box I'd be amazed

 

[Q]

I have bubble wrap and newspaper, and I'm going to insure it

When I have the flat rate home, I'll see how it goes

Oh, and BTW: He has a PO box so I can't use UPS/Fedex or else I would

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: Quintox
OK, so it seems I should be able to get the flat rates at the 3rd party shipping center, and not be charged for it (other than the $8.10)

I'm shipping a fatty PS2 with some other things and this is the cheapest method for me (well, cheapest that arrives in a reasonable time)

Can't wait to read about this in the trading forums....might be worth the couple extra $$ on shipping to make sure it gets there in one piece. No way a Fatty PS2 and accessories (cables, controller, games???) are going to fit in the biggest flat rate box WITH proper packaging materials.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Can't wait to read about this in the trading forums....might be worth the couple extra $$ on shipping to make sure it gets there in one piece. No way a Fatty PS2 and accessories (cables, controller, games???) are going to fit in the biggest flat rate box WITH proper packaging materials.

Thanks for the threadcrap


If you would have read my post up above, I said that I'll get the flat rate box and see if it will fit reasonably. If it does, I plan on insuring it, etc. I can't ship via UPS or Fedex for it's a PO box.

And BTW: It's not in the anandtech forums

 

[intogamer]

You might want to go parcel post then

 

[TanisHalfElven]

i would ship in a regular box via usps and be sure to make it certified and insured.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Can't wait to read about this in the trading forums....might be worth the couple extra $$ on shipping to make sure it gets there in one piece. No way a Fatty PS2 and accessories (cables, controller, games???) are going to fit in the biggest flat rate box WITH proper packaging materials.

Thanks for the threadcrap


If you would have read my post up above, I said that I'll get the flat rate box and see if it will fit reasonably. If it does, I plan on insuring it, etc. I can't ship via UPS or Fedex for it's a PO box.

And BTW: It's not in the anandtech forums

threadcrap? HA! This is ATOT, that's all there is here!

 

[Q]

Update: After 3 hours!!of driving around, I finally found a place where they had them. Used the 11 x 3 x13 flat rate box, and everything fit perfectly in, no extra room so it doesn't slide or anything, and insured.
http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...goryId=13359&productId=11699&langId=-1


Thx though for the help guys

 

[TanisHalfElven]

how'd you get a flat rate box insured ?
did you actually go to the post office or did you print the shipping label online