Cheap shipping tricks

I notice sometimes the only options people seem to use is the $8 flat rate box 2day shipping. This adds a lot to the total cost of many items that would be good deals into just a slight discount. FYI if your items are thinner than 3/4”, which means if you tape a .75 cam closed, you can ship first class large envelope for very cheap. Example is a .75 and a .4 c4 that I shipped from CT to CA for $2.40. Down side is it takes 3-5days and there’s no tracking number, but hey it’s cheap AF.

If you are only shipping "media" (e.g. books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes) the USPS has a discount rate.

Careful doing this because certain shipping methods are insured and others are not. I would be bummed if my two cams got lost in the mail and i was shit out of luck because i cheaped out on shipping.

The USPS padded flat rate envelope is the best. USPS will even ship empty ones to you for free.
You can jam a lotta shit in them. 

One site I've been using to prepay shipping is pirateship.com

It works great for getting a discount on shipping and I've never not gotten a tracking number. The only downside is that you need to know the weight of the items and packaging.

First class USPS mail you have $200+ insurance, + tracking automatically.

If you send locally a lot, you can use USPS Regional A boxes as well, up to 25 lbs. As said above, the usps padded envelope is one of the best deals.

I'm confused, is the picture you posted a "first class large envelope"? Do they have those at the storefront/can you order them? Pardon me being an idiot

Get a part time job with FedEx for the employee discounts.

Seconded pirateship. You get commercial rates which is usually close to 50% retail. Small packages are $4-5 and insured. You box it up, measure the box HxWxL and weigh it. Buy and print the label at home and drop off w USPS or UPS.it gives you both options. No gimmick. No scams. Don't need to claim it as media or anything. I've used this for dozens of packages.

Danny Herrera wrote: First class USPS mail you have $200+ insurance, + tracking automatically.

If you send locally a lot, you can use USPS Regional A boxes as well, up to 25 lbs. As said above, the usps padded envelope is one of the best deals.

The Regional Rate boxes were eliminated a year ago, sadly.

I see a lot of folks shipping things like single cams by Priority Mail, at around $8-9.  Anything under 16 oz can go First Class (now called Ground Advantage) for $5-6.

Paypal also has a connection to ShipStation, which provides a USPS discount in the 25% range.

Ben Schuldt wrote: One site I've been using to prepay shipping is pirateship.com

It works great for getting a discount on shipping and I've never not gotten a tracking number. The only downside is that you need to know the weight of the items and packaging.

+1 for Pirate Ship. They give easy access to Ground Advantage Cubic, which I think is their most cost-efficient shipping tier (50%+ less compared to Priority) for packages measuring <=18" in all dimensions. This shipping tier is normally reserved for high-volume businesses, and it delivers about as quickly as Priority over shorter distances. They also provide competitive rates for UPS if that's not an option.

DR wrote: Careful doing this because certain shipping methods are insured and others are not. I would be bummed if my two cams got lost in the mail and i was shit out of luck because i cheaped out on shipping.

Have you ever successfully gotten the insurance from a lost or damaged item?  Ive fought with usps for months before, with photo evidence, written letters admitting fault from postmasters, both shipper and receiver providing statements, with receipt, you name it, and never been able to get the payout.  Its a scam, like all insurance.    

Also if theres any advetisements or anything like that in your print media its technically against the terms

Yes, I've had USPS insurance deliver for some shoes I sold here about a year ago. Paid me back $100 or so that I then refunded to the buyer.

Mailman here. Money saved is money earned and all that, but make sure your packaging is secure in whatever way you ship it. I see people try to game the system to save a few bucks, but they don't consider how high-volume processing might not be as gentle with their package as they are. Especially something semi-rigid and poke-y like a cam might be. That thing can easily tear through the cheap plastic mailers and wriggle it's way out. I personally like those padded envelopes with sturdy tape around the edges and corners.

Flat rate boxes are great for only one thing: Shipping things that are very dense/heavy for the size. Otherwise they are a rip off, and super expensive for lightweight items. For light things like climbing shoes, much more economical to put them in a tyvek envelope and send ground advantage based on weight.

You pay less with an online account and printing your own labels. Doing it at the PO costs more.

George Krka wrote:

Flat rate boxes are great for only one thing: Shipping things that are very dense/heavy for the size. Otherwise they are a rip off, and super expensive for lightweight items. For light things like climbing shoes, much more economical to put them in a tyvek envelope and send ground advantage based on weight.

You pay less with an online account and printing your own labels. Doing it at the PO costs more.

I once shipped a box of rocks.   I handed it across the counter to the postal worker and he gave me a look and I said, "yes, it IS full of rocks."

Then I said, "my mother is going to paint on these, meaning they are technically media."

He said, "not a chance."