Comments on: 11 Sure-Fire Ways to Save on Shipping

By: Chester White

Chester White — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:22:10 +0000

Try saveonshipping.net

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:52:52 +0000

#10 flat rate boxes are not always the cheapest option. Be sure to compare prices to see if the flat rate box in your case is the best deal or not.

By: Strebkr

Strebkr — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:43:54 +0000

Great mention. PayPal’s shipping tool is top notch. You get the online discount, professional looking labels, and its easy to use.

By: Strebkr

Strebkr — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:08:09 +0000

Going along with #8 – Save time by using the automated machines at the post office. I love walking in seeing the line 20 people deep at the counter and then heading over to the automated machine to ship all my packages.

By: your twin soul

your twin soul — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:36:38 +0000

great tips and all replies too.
Some time I ship manufacture boxes separately then item. i.e. if I have to ship big heavy item then I wrap item 5 to 6 times with bubble wrap and send through USPS medium flat rate box which cost $10 and put manufacture box on side if there is room or mail through 1st class mail under $2. That way I save $6-$9 because sending item with manufacture box in large flat rate or sometimes through fed ex cost more.
Generally item might be small but manufacture boxes are big and with lots of shipping protection because boxes has to go through lots of different channel, when I have to mail mostly it go through 4-5 hands.
one more thing, before I ship I make sure that is okey with other party. when I sale item on eBay, I make sure that is okey with buyer and when I ship toys or gift to my nice and nephews I call my sister and tell her to put toys back in box and wrap before presenting them.
I know it sound cheap but A penny saved is a penny earned.

By: Chester White

Chester White — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:18:53 +0000

Bumping an old post I found in a search.

Stamp dealers sell off mint stamps they have in excess supply below face value. There are WAY too many old stamps floating around compared to collector demand. Look around and you will easily find offers of 20% and more off.

By: Amazon Matt

Amazon Matt — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:25:42 +0000

Do what I did. Go to officemax and buy a 100piece box of large manila envelopes. After tax each one cost me 11 cents. I was paying a $1.00 to $1.50 per envelope prior. That should obviously be in the “save on supples” tip above….

By: Green Supply

Green Supply — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:57:39 +0000

Good information. The last point makes a lot of sense when you go green. Since the shipping will cost less, plus it the shipping truck will use less gas to carry the packages around.

Go green today and save!

By: SmallBusinessMan

SmallBusinessMan — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:32:37 +0000

I just used tip 3 to print postage on 35 boxes for clients and vendors. Saved some money and the USPS should be here today to pick up the boxes, saving me multiple trips (boxes are not small).

Thanks much for this timely tip.

By: freecia

freecia — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:00:24 +0000

You can also print USPS postage online via PayPal with the Multi-Order Shipping option. This is great for light packages that don’t fall under the normal Envelope 1st Class category. I often send paperback books in this manner.

It offers media mail, 1st class parcel, and I think Priority as well as Express. Plus it offers tracking on them and it will save you a TON of time at the Post 0ffice.

By: subhan

subhan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:40:54 +0000

For heavier objects (2#+) that don’t fit in flat rate boxes, fedex is normally cheaper than the USPS, comes with free tracking & free insurance up to $100.00 Watch out though, if you go to a drop-ship location (IE Fred’s Family Shipping Emporium) you will pay a huge markup. The best way to go is to set up an online account with fedex, print your shipping labels, & drop off your packages at the nearest location to you. The interface on the web site is a little clunky, but I’ve probably saved over $100 in shipping over USPS in the last year on 25 or 30 packages shipped.

By: Merk

Merk — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:12:55 +0000

Good tips, but you are wrong about USPS Priority Mail. It is not merely first-class mail for packages greater than a pound. It is a two-day service for items of any weight. The USPS web site calls Priority Mail “Fast, two-day service to most locations for both documents and packages.” See http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm.

Personally, Priority Mail is the best, most economical service out there. Rarely is overnight needed. Two days is almost always fine.

Merk

By: Son of the postman

Son of the postman — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:38:36 +0000

They do check media mail packages, perhaps more on a random sampling or based on package weight per size. My father had reported a few packages in his day for improperly using the rate. Postal Fraud is not something to be suggesting to the readers…

By: billy akerman

billy akerman — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:57:04 +0000

thanks for the tips. It will help with all the gifts I’ll be sending out nest month. It will also help with shipping prizes that are won at my site.

By: Gavin

Gavin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:14:34 +0000

Remember, the clerks at USPS are now required to not mention cheaper alternatives like Media Mail unless you specifically ask for them.

Regarding #9, I belive the “blue box” maximum weight is now 13 ounces.

Priority mail flat rate envelopes will hold many things, and many things that size are over a pound. The rule of thumb is as long as the flap closes (and you can reinforce it with one piece of tape) then it’s OK. I’ve mailed rock samples and clothes in them.