How Do You All Handle Shipping?

[SooperJake]

Method, cost to customer, tiered charges? Free? One fixed price?

I hadn't shipped anything priority mail in a while and it has gotten kind of expensive for the flat rate boxes I see.

Looking for input. I would like to hear from anyone that uses any of the major options like USPS, UPS, FedEx, or any company for that matter.

[particle]

I exclusively use USPS Priority Mail. The boxes are free, the mail driver picks them up from my front porch (if I schedule a pick up), and it's really not that expensive. I usually charge whatever the retail price is on the USPS website. Most of my stuff goes in the medium sized box for $12.35. If it'll fit in the small box, we'll refund a few bucks and charge the customer $5.80. The only shipping cost complaints I've ever gotten have been from international customers - it's insanely expensive to ship internationally.

[dirtclod]

I use USPS 1092 and 1097 boxes for 99% of what i mail. The 1092 and 1097 you have to weigh. I'm not into to ripping customers off on using flat rate boxes when i can use the others and save them money. The flat rate boxes have their place and i do use them for a big order again to save the customer money. I hate getting ripped when somebody else uses flat rate when they could use a regular box for 2 to 3 dollars cheaper. Guess it boils down to do you like or care about your customer enough to make the choice between what cost less for them.

Edited March 22, 2013 by dirtclod

[bruce johnson]

I ship mostly with Priority Mail as well. I use a lot of recycled packing materials to cut costs. I use UPS for the heavy stuff, I have had a good experience with their insurance for one damaged item. I also use UPS for shipping to a "moving target". I ship some to guys that are traveling. If they aren't where they thought they'd be, I can go on-line and do a re-direct to get it to them without it having to come back to me first to resend. My internationals are all through the mail. I give them the options of Express Mail, regular Priority Mail, and flat rate Priority Mail. The small flat rate boxes aren't tracked once they leave the US. Express Mail usually isn't much more than regular Priority and gets there a lot faster usually.

[cowboy bowhunter]

I like usps. I get padded envelopes and use them to ship. It isnt bad prices Ups is way more expensive.

[ChaChi]

I use only USPS Priority Mail. I sometimes use their free packaging but normally use my own boxes with their tape and labeling (free also BTW) for WAY cheaper than the flat rate boxes. Our items typically don't weigh much, so the postage for actual weight in your own box is considerably less. And you still get all the Priority Mail perks like 2 day the guarantee, etc.

[Chief31794]

I ship USPS Priority Mail in the flat rate boxes, I charge the rate for the mail, plus ~$1.50 for materials and handling (labor spent packing boxes costs money as well). I wrap all my straps, wallets, etc, in tissure paper, then use bubble wrap to protect it. I also round, small box is $5.35 I charge 6.95 to cover additional costs, etc.

Chief

Edited March 22, 2013 by Chief31794

[Cyberthrasher]

I use flat-rate for all my shipping. It's a little more expensive, but it's quicker and easier for me too. If I had to take a bunch of time to round up boxes, get the right shipping for the package and weight figured out, etc..., I'd have to charge a handling fee. Since the box is provided, I can just pack it up, print my label, and get on with it. But, I am a little weird with the fact that I don't charge my customers for the insurance on the package. I just charge them the actual shipping rate and I handle the insurance.

[Eaglestroker]

I only ship Fed Ex and have a label PC. Small packages run around $8, large boxes/rigs/gun belts can run up to $15. I take a lot of care in the presentation of my packaging so that opening it is like opening a well wrapped present. I ask a flat $8 for single items unless it's something very small and then it goes into a bubble mailer. I have strongly considered adding shipping into the price, and reducing the price accordingly on multi-piece items.

Dirtclod put it like if you want to save your customer money you go the extra mile. The dollar amount isn't the issue for me - I care about my customer picking up the package itself and knowing right then I take pride in my work. I hate spending $400 on a blue gun order and it showing up in a USPS box that's falling apart. So why would I send the same thing to someone else?

[Ferg]

We ship about 25,000 to 30,000 pieces each year now. USPS First Class and Priority mail. Seldom use UPS although we have had a account with them for years, never use FedEx anymore.

In a years time we probably do not get more than a dozen damaged packages.

International mail to Canada only.

ferg

[particle]

I use USPS 1092 and 1097 boxes for 99% of what i mail. The 1092 and 1097 you have to weigh. I'm not into to ripping customers off on using flat rate boxes when i can use the others and save them money. The flat rate boxes have their place and i do use them for a big order again to save the customer money. I hate getting ripped when somebody else uses flat rate when they could use a regular box for 2 to 3 dollars cheaper. Guess it boils down to do you like or care about your customer enough to make the choice between what cost less for them.

The dimensions on the USPS site list the 1092 and 1097 as practically the same size. How much does it cost you to ship with those boxes? Which service are you using - "First Class Mail Parcel"? Never felt like (or been accused of) I was ripping customers off when the customer can clearly see the shipping costs when they place an order, but if there's something a little cheaper, I'm all ears. Especially if it still offers delivery confirmation, which I doubt it does...

[dirtclod]

They do charge by the weight and zip code on the priority mail boxes now. I just looked and it cost me 6.20 to send a package to Cali. that weighted 13 oz. I charge a flat 6.00 to mail some cost a little more some area little cheaper, i figure it all evens out in the end. You still get delivery conformation or tracking as their calling it now. The post office delivers the boxes for free. Their isn't much difference in the size of the 1097 and 1092 but i can put a longer / bigger piece in the 1092. Most of my stuff weighs a pound or less.

Chief i get my bubble wrap off ebay it's quite a bit cheaper than buying it in a store. I generally get 3 or 4 rolls at a time.

Eaglestroker i package my things good to i don't want them to get a project when they order something. No i don't do any fancy wrapping paper. But things are wrapped and then bubble wrapped. That's the same way i have packaged things for the last 10 years that i have sold on line never have had a complaint on the packaging that i know of.

I don't understand why anybody would scrounge up a box when they can get nice free boxes from the post office unless it won't fit in a priority mail box.

Edited March 22, 2013 by dirtclod

[SooperJake]

They do charge by the weight and zip code on the priority mail boxes now. I just looked and it cost me 6.20 to send a package to Cali. that weighted 13 oz. I charge a flat 6.00 to mail some cost a little more some area little cheaper, i figure it all evens out in the end. You still get delivery conformation or tracking as their calling it now. The post office delivers the boxes for free. Their isn't much difference in the size of the 1097 and 1092 but i can put a longer / bigger piece in the 1092. Most of my stuff weighs a pound or less.

Chief i get my bubble wrap off ebay it's quite a bit cheaper than buying it in a store. I generally get 3 or 4 rolls at a time.

Eaglestroker i package my things good to i don't want them to get a project when they order something. No i don't do any fancy wrapping paper. But things are wrapped and then bubble wrapped. That's the same way i have packaged things for the last 10 years that i have sold on line never have had a complaint on the packaging that i know of.

I don't understand why anybody would scrounge up a box when they can get nice free boxes from the post office unless it won't fit in a priority mail box.

If you charge the customer only what it costs you at the post office you are losing money....in time and packing materials at the minimum.

[dirtclod]

I have the bubble wrap and a trip to the post office figured into the price.

[JJs Leatherworks]

On the flip side, as often being a parcel recipient and living in Canada, getting orders sent from the States is usually expensive.

My preferred choice, unless it is a heavy item, is USPS. The rates and time required are often the best, and they incur the least amount of extra costs crossing the border. Delivered to our local post office and easy to check for possible damage per chance the box is abused, although that is seldom an issue.

For heavy items, preferred carrier is FedEx - their rates will usually include any 'brokerage fees' and often any taxes due and have never had a damaged or lost parcel., and they deliver right to my door.

I absolutely refuse to have items sent UPS - if that is your only way of shipping, I will find another seller. I have been ripped off for 'brokerage' and any other charge they can levy, they will never meet the promised shipping date, I live on a farm in rural Alberta and must provide my physical address for shipping but they will never deliver to my yard and instead drop it off at a depot in a nearby town, damage rate likely exceeds 50% and ....... , you get the picture!

I purchase lots of merchandise, south of the border, whether it be e-Bay, Weaver, Leather Machine Co (Steve), and others and will continue to utilize USPS and FedEx.

JJ

[Dwight]

For the most part, my shipping goes out in the USPS boxes "IF it fits, . . . it ships". A long time ago, I took a look at all the different parameters involved, . . . and for both me and my customer, . . . it is by far the cheapest.

Part of that is that I build the shipping price into the product, . . . my customers all know that if they buy my product, . . . the price they see, . . . is the price they pay.

I also have just instituted a new wrinkle in my paper flow, . . . when the order comes in, . . . it is entered into the computer once, . . . one sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 paper comes out of the printer. On that integrated form sheet is my production ticket, . . . packing list, . . . and mailing label.

I only type in the name, address, and the order items, . . . Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access does the rest of the work for me.

When my product is ready, . . . I cut the bottom of the paper, . . . pack the product, . . . peel the label and put it on the box, . . . insert the packing list, . . . mail it.

Done.

May God bless,

Dwight

[chiefjason]

All my leather goes USPS Priority Mail. I figure shipping into the price, and just charge one price. If you take paypal, you can print the shipping label there and get tracking as well. I use the ebay service to print labels on stuff that sells there. Paypal and ebay are also cheaper than going to the Post Office and paying. And you get a nice label printed as well.

[particle]

When my product is ready, . . . I cut the bottom of the paper, . . . pack the product, . . . peel the label and put it on the box, . . . insert the packing list, . . . mail it.

Dwight - that sounds like a great idea! I'm curious about the shipping label part. When we print our USPS shipping labels, the top half of the page is instructions - would you care to share a sanitized version of your 8.5x11 sheet?

[Dwight]

No problem, Particle, . . . the first image is the "whole thing" as it comes off the printer. As I said, . . . only have to enter the info in one place, . . . it is situated to automatically populate the other places. I drew lines around the label area so you could ID it in this image.

The second image is the label peeled & stuck on the box.

The third image is the packing list severed from the original, . . . ready to be inserted.

This is my "2013 easy paper flow" solution.

The form was the only hiccup, . . . I wanted a 4 x 4 label, . . . in a corner, . . . and the only reasonable buy for these was by 1000, . . . but I'll be set for a while in the "form" department.

May God bless,

Dwight

[particle]

Awesome - thanks Dwight! Looks like a great way to minimize the paperwork.

[SooperJake]

No problem, Particle, . . . the first image is the "whole thing" as it comes off the printer. As I said, . . . only have to enter the info in one place, . . . it is situated to automatically populate the other places. I drew lines around the label area so you could ID it in this image.

The second image is the label peeled & stuck on the box.

The third image is the packing list severed from the original, . . . ready to be inserted.

This is my "2013 easy paper flow" solution.

The form was the only hiccup, . . . I wanted a 4 x 4 label, . . . in a corner, . . . and the only reasonable buy for these was by 1000, . . . but I'll be set for a while in the "form" department.

May God bless,

Dwight

Where'd that label come from Dwight?

Edited March 24, 2013 by SooperJake

[Dwight]

Where'd that label come from Dwight?

Jake, . . . go to www.my1stop.com, . . . 800-691-7867, . . . Rita Schroeder was my initial contact person.

Let me know if you are interested in getting some of them, . . . I'm going to put them in smaller quantities and sell some of them off on Ebay, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight

[SooperJake]

Looks like you are using this one "integrated lable forms" ..I think. Thanks Dwight!

http://www.my1stop.com/Order-Stock-IntegratedLabels.aspx?productName=M1S016