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

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.

By: Polly Poorhouse

Polly Poorhouse — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:32:14 +0000

As a former Stamps.com subscriber who jettisoned it when looking for budgetary corners to cut, I’m delighted you can do the same thing at UPS now. Great tips!

By: jim

jim — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:11:39 +0000

Yeah, that’s a good tip (it’s actually part of #9, though I probably should’ve put it up higher).

I was surprised to see the USPS beat UPS and FedEx on so many things, it’s just a testament to their infrastructure. Too bad they’re bleeding out money.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:53:10 +0000

Jim – Regarding #3 you forgot to mention that you can also arrange to have the postman (or postwoman, or postperson?) pick up your package at your home free of charge. So you don’t even have to bother dropping it off at the post office after you print your shipping label online – saving you both time and energy/gas!

Consumer Reports just ran an article this month comparing shipping costs and found that the Postal Service compared to UPS and FedEx shipped much cheaper in most circumstances and was just as reliable.

By: Broke Grad Student

Broke Grad Student — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:28:13 +0000

Great tips. If you work at a big company, you may be able to ship personal packages with the corporate discount. My company allows its employees to do that. The shipping dock at work also has a corner full of extra boxes from the shipments they receive, so you can grab one of those for your package. The packaging supplies are also free, so when I ship something from work, I really am only paying for the shipping.

By: Matt @ Steadfast Finances

Matt @ Steadfast Finances — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:48:37 +0000

Checkout FreeShipping.org.

It has a list of stores running free shipping awards using “coupon codes”.

By: Miss M

Miss M — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:11:23 +0000

I am a horrible procrastinator and always spend too much on shipping at the last minute. Happens every year, christmas, birthdays, ugh. I live on the opposite coast from my parents so everything has to be shipped.

By: Codrut Turcanu I Blog for Profit

Codrut Turcanu I Blog for Profit — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:23:21 +0000

I think that the first tip is the most often overlooked… and regarding the 3rd one, it’s a red-hot tip!