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GUIDE Guide to cheap shipping (US)

Discussion in 'The ASSEMblergames Marketplace' started by ASSEMbler, Jul 20, 2016.

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  1. ASSEMbler

    ASSEMbler Administrator Staff Member

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    Inspired by someone overpaying on shipping, I've been inspired to make a guide to cheap shipping.

    USPS:

    Go to the USPS.COM. Make an account and fill in you address and info. This will
    allow you to order supplies and purchase cheaper postage online.

    Postage at a post office can be 10-30% more expensive than online.

    Order free Regional A and B boxes, and padded flat rate mailers.
    Regional box prices vary by region; the real saving being same region shipping.
    It will be 40-50% cheaper than a priority mail package of your own making.

    The padded mailers are heavy poly mailers with 1/4 inch bubble.They are made very well
    and you can pack a lot inside them. I usually put a box inside the mailer. Current cost is $6.90
    which is the cheapest you can do for the weight and size. You can fit 10+ famicom carts inside a mailer.

    UPS

    Don't bother. They have terrible package handling and insurance.
    U nited
    P arcel
    S mashers

    Fedex

    Fedex handles most of the mail for the USPS that is priority mail. However, Fedex loves,
    LOVES to add surcharges and balloon fees by up to 30%. A $9.00 package will be billed in the end
    as $14.99. God help you if the end address is somewhere remote, like a ranch in Montana.

    Fedex owns Kinkos, and you can take your package to a Kinkos and pay cash. That way there's no
    abusive fee ballooning. Fedex insurance is by a third party company, but they are a good company and they will pay on a legitimate claim.

    International:

    Don't ship International. By the time a signature arrives for a claim on paypal, you'll have lost all
    appeals. If you must sell international, only send via priority mail express, which has special tracking
    and confirmation. Normal priority mail international does not have this tracking.

    US to Canada:

    UPS has a special rate for US to Canada. It's probably the most affordable option. It will
    be cheaper than USPS international mail.
     
    ASSEMbler, Jul 20, 2016 Report
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  2. DeChief

    DeChief Rustled.

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    Don't ship international? Don't ship international? I hope you realise that as the creator and owner of this site, you have the ability to influence users' actions. Saying something like this could potentially put a huge wall between US and non-US collectors and should not be included in this guide.
     
    DeChief, Jul 20, 2016 Report
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  3. Kappa

    Kappa Peppy Member

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    You didn't read it properly, don't ship international unless you need to in which case you take the proper steps to make sure you're covered.
     
    Kappa, Jul 20, 2016 Report
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  4. DeChief

    DeChief Rustled.

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    [​IMG]
    ????
     
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  5. Kappa

    Kappa Peppy Member

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    Yeah now read the second half
     
    Kappa, Jul 20, 2016 Report
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  6. DeChief

    DeChief Rustled.

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    "If you must sell international" - not very encouraging.
     
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  7. Tyree_Cooper

    Tyree_Cooper Peppy Member

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    I think international shipping rates are getting more and more ridiculous year after year. It's already hard to find a US seller willing to ship overseas (on eBay at least), when they do though, they usually charge something like 20+$ for a loose GB cart, or 40+$ if it's something that weighs a bit more and/or requires a cardboard box. I don't understand, what's the point? Unless you are desperate or the item is a one-of-a-kind, nobody is obviously gonna buy it. Maybe it's exactly what they want...? Or maybe I'm just out of touch and shipping companies in the US are just very expensive and have become a luxury, something many people can't afford anymore.

    My suggestion for people who need to buy from the US -- take your time to make contacts and friends, be nice, offer your help, and you may find someone who's happy to help ordering for you and/or using his address. Stock up a bit and ship when you have enough to fill up a small box. I found someone right here a couple years back, and we help each other whenever needed.

    I have to say here in Hong Kong, the public post office also keep on increasing their rates. They went up easily 30-50% in the last 6 years. It used to be around 1.2$/100g, shipped second class registered with tracking. Very cheap, almost unbeatable. In 2016 they have completely changed their service model ('aligned with other countries' they say), and increased the price. I am now paying almost 2$/100g, sometimes more.

    Sorry for sliding out of topic, hope it helps.
     
    Tyree_Cooper, Jul 25, 2016 Report
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