[Boatanchors] Media mail

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

The practical problem with the Flat Rate boxes is their physical 
dimensions.  It appears that the dimensions of the three common sizes (Large, Medium 
Flat and Medium Shoe) were picked to be inefficient for packing typical sized 
publications.  The only thing I have found that is a consistant good deal 
to ship either domestic or foreign is an LS-3 Loudspeaker in the Medium Shoe. 
 It is a good fit with just enough room to safely pack the connecting cord 
and the cheapest way to ship an LS-3 anywhere on the planet outside of Zone 
1.  If you are shipping printed matter in any of the common sizes (including 
the early and late QST's), about the best you are going to get in any of 
the three is 12 to 18 months with about 40% of the box empty.  Same applies to 
both the Digest and the large size of Signal Corps TM's, and NAVSHIPS, AN's 
and T.O.'s.  Never a good deal.  The only thing that the Flat Rate boxes 
are a consistent good deal for is clothing or other soft goods to Zone 6 or 
higher if they fill the box pretty well.  The recently introduced Regional 
Rate boxes just add further confusion.  I have yet to find anything to anywhere 
that's a good deal in the Small Flat Rate Box.  It would be a good deal for 
Foreign except that unlike all other Priority Mail International, they are 
not trackable.

In a message dated 2011-07-16 21:42:28 PM Central Daylight Time, 
manualman at juno.com writes: 
> Let's say you have 4 pounds of stuff you want to ship in a "box":
> 
> >From NJ to CA:
> Priority: $15.90
> Priority Flat Rate: $10.95
> Parcel Post: $11.77
> Media: $3.64
> 
> >From NJ to IL:
> Priority: $12.40
> Priority Flat Rate: $10.95
> Parcel Post: $9.30
> Media: $3.64
> 
> >From NJ to MA(Boston Area):
> Priority: $7.85
> Priority Flat Rate: $10.95
> Parcel Post: $7.14
> Media: $3.64
> 
> The prices will change for Priority and Parcel Post depending on the
> shipper's ZIP to the receiver's ZIP. Bottom line; you need to review the
> online ship choices to determine the best method of shipping. Priority
> (70 lbs max - box L,W,H = 108 inches or less), Priority Flat Rate (as
> much stuff as you can get into the box - as they say - if it fits, it
> ships), Parcel Post (70 lbs max - box L,W,H = 130 inches or less), Media,
> restrictions as discussed and documented on the USPS Postal web site.
> 
> Pete, wa2cwa
> 
> 
> 
> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:04:03 -0500 Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>
> writes:
> >I would like to know the shipping cost difference between a flat 
> >rate
> >box that holds N issues of QST and the "media mail" rate for the 
> >same
> >number of issues.  I wonder if the 100 emails about this have to do
> >with saving a dollar or two.
> >
> >73
> >
> >rob
> >K5UJ
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480