I have only sold on the B/S/T a couple of times and other than that I never really ship out packages for any reason. I've found that shipping charges seem to be a bit steep. Some of you must of some tips and tricks on safely shipping razors while keeping it relatively cost effective. Are flat-rate boxes worth it at all? Or not really? I don't want to send one or two razors in an envelope, even if it's padded just because I don't want to chance damage being done to the razors.
Shipping items from the B/S/T
- Thread starter ClintO
- Start date
Depends on the razor. 3 piece razors can be disassembled and shipped in a padded envelope / bubble wrapped, as the amount of work it would talke to break them most likely exceeds the strength limits of most cardboard boxes. Likewise with the Micromatics, which are built like tanks.
I would't ship a 1912 / Damaskeen / non-disassembled modern pot metal razor in anything other than a cardboard box or a boatload of bubble wrap though.
Protip - If it's under 13oz. you can get First Class instead of priority mail, which is MUCH cheaper, even with the $0.90 tracking fee.
I would't ship a 1912 / Damaskeen / non-disassembled modern pot metal razor in anything other than a cardboard box or a boatload of bubble wrap though.
Protip - If it's under 13oz. you can get First Class instead of priority mail, which is MUCH cheaper, even with the $0.90 tracking fee.
I've shipped quite a bit and here's what I do:
1. Use PayPal's shipping.
2. Use a small box so the total weight is under 13 oz. I've even used a USPS small flat rate box and wraped it with grocery sack paper.
3. Ship First Class
Shipping postage will be $2.50 or less.
1. Use PayPal's shipping.
2. Use a small box so the total weight is under 13 oz. I've even used a USPS small flat rate box and wraped it with grocery sack paper.
3. Ship First Class
Shipping postage will be $2.50 or less.
Come to Canada! Shipping anything to the US with a tracking # starts at ~$15.
- Thread starter
- #5
Interesting. It seems as though a kitchen scale would be handy to have.
Very true.
Try paypal.com/shipnow It usually ends up being cheaper than going directly through USPS and it takes the money directly from your recent sale which I find to be quite convenient. On another note I've found that most of the members here have a tendency to overpack, but I'd rather see them do that than under pack. But it can drive the shipping prices up if you get TOO crazy.
- Thread starter
- #8
I try not to overpack. I will check out the shipping option on Paypal, however I did notice that USPS.com accepts paypal as a form of payment which is mighty convenient.
I try very hard not to use shipping envelopes for anything of mass or volume or with right angles. I've had them arrive with holes and darn near holes worn into them so my confidence in them is low. The USPS flat rate boxes usually works out pretty well. On a couple of occassions the item's original box got knocked down and shipped in the "Small Flat Rate Box" with the item (both were pretty new razors I think) which made the difference between a $6 and a $12 bill. I just went through a loss scenario (as a buyer) with USPS that wasn't a great experience so I'd rather pay the money for the "box voted most likely to make it". In my case the seller didn't do anything wrong but the carrier still managed to deliver it to the wrong address, the box wouldn't have mattered (in fact in this case, an irregular box actually helped identify what happened) but the experience drove home the fact that you really want to do everything you can to avoid a shipping disaster for the sake of both the buyer and the seller.
Not sure where they get them but I have had both a PIF and a razor I ordered from a vendor (not sure if they are a B&B vendor though) that were shipped in a small almost 4x4x4 box. That with using the PayPal shipping label (which is the cheapest way I know of shipping First Class, as USPS doesn't offer online postage for First Class and a service like Stamps.com requires a paid membership) should include a tracking number (I believe they use Pinety Bownes (sp?) or one of the larger postage label services).
I know all about shipping with USPS. If it's under 13oz first class is the cheapest and there's two ways to get it: at the post office desk or machine, and through paypal which gives you about %10 off. 3oz is $1.69 through paypal and each additional ounce adds $.17. If it's above 13oz then it gets complicated depending on the size and weight of your item. Parcel select through paypal is supposed to be cheaper than priority mail (which USPS forces you to choose if it's above 13oz), but you'll want to compare between parcel select and priority flat rate and priority non-flat rate by choosing through the options in paypal multi order shipping to be sure. The distance to destination also greatly affects price on non-flat rate packages.
Gents, please don't do this as it is dishonest and ends up costing us all extra in the long run. Just buy a box or reuse one.
Regarding padded envelopes, which many people frown upon, not all envelopes are created equal. I have shipped several items in padded envelopes because they have some where I work that are tougher than most boxes. I always wrap the interal items with additional bubble wrap as well. I think many people think of the flimsy paper/bubble wrap, but there are some very good options out there. Having said that, you always need to consider the shape, size and fragility of the item you are shipping but blanket statements that padded envelopes are bad are misguided.
That's why I do Canuck only PIFs eh.
Doh! This is the one I meant to quote, eh. And this is why I do Canuck only PIFs.
Why is wrapping a priority mail box in brown paper dishonest?. a box is a box, and I've recieved boxes that were wrapped in paper lot's of times. Nothing wrong with it as long as you are still buying postage, plus you are reusing a box.
Clayton
The reason is because USPS provides them in order to encourage the purchase of priority mail. So if you use a priority box for anything other than shipping with priority mail postage then you're abusing a fair arrangement the USPS is offering and costing them money. Besides, most of the time USPS spots when priority boxes are wrapped and not using priority shipping and require additional postage from the recipient, I believe.
They would have to remove the paper. They aren't going to do that unless they suspect something illegal is in the box.
Clayton
Also if the post office were to realize it is a priority box they will charge the person it is shipped to the difference, and start checking anything you mail out (I have heard this happen with people on eBay that would do the same thing).
Or if the paper were to get torn while in transit to expose the box. I shipped an item where the person received the mangled envelope minus the coin that was shipped. The envelope looked like it got caught in something and tore open. The same could happen to a box wrapped in paper, IMO not worth the hassle or the chance, plus if you were caught the person who purchased the item would be mad as they would have to pay the difference in shipping costs.
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