[Milsurplus] Shipping

[joldenburg2 at new.rr.com]

The one thing to rememeber on shipping is to shop it around a bit. I have found that USPS is most economical on smaller items most times. All of the big three ( USPS, FEDEX & UPS) have on line calculators to calc out shipping costs. I've had real good luck with FEDEX on larger items. They have a pretty easy process of setting up a private account with them and you can print the label right at home and they will pick it up right at your house also, no extra charge for that either. 

The problem  with the shipping centers is for items that have any weight to them is they don't have a clue. They charge an inflated price for a light weight box, a wrap or two of plastic bubbles, styrofoam peanuts to fill-er up and it's good to go. The e-bay sellers don't have a clue that this wrong for the most part - hey the centers are professionals right?, and just pass the marked up costs to the buyer. 

I guess on the tough to ship items one should question in advance the sellers experience in shipping. If they don't have a clue, don't bid or see if they will pack to your spec's.

BTW - One thing to watch. Some shippers will question claims made on damaged packages using "recycled" boxes. Both U-haul rental centers and Home Depot sell new boxes for a fairly reasonable amount. It may be an extra $4 or $5 on boxes but that's better than a claim being refused because a used box from the grocery store was used.

Jon AB9AH
---- Boatguy <boatguy at csinet.net> wrote: 

=============
I just shipped today a PRC 70 about 150 miles by ups price included packing 
insurance and all 26.00 good deal I think
Carl 

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--
Jon Oldenburg AB9AH
"A bicycle can't stand on it's own because it is two tired..."