Bets/Cheapest way to Ship a large(ish) box

[msmama]

Hi budget minded friends,

I have a rather large (about 18 inches square), not too terribly heavy box of baby stuff to send to my sister.

What's my best option for shipping? I do have a UPS store nearby.

(Baby could come at any time now though she's not technically due for another few weeks).

Pricing things online, USPS and UPS come out pretty close but I'm wondering if either will have other fees once I'm actually there.

 

[amcnj]

Hopefully the sites also show any other fees. I am not sure what else they would charge for, aside from added services you request (confirmations, insurance, etc. I guess you could call them to confirm that the amounts you calculated will be the total cost of the package. Some third party drop off locations do charge a fee. But if you are using the actaul USPS or UPS stores, I wouldn't think there would be anything else.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's so expensive to ship things these days. I have found FedEx Ground to usually have the best prices for shipping heavy items. There aren't any additional fees for any shipping services unless you want to add extras, such as insurance and tracking for USPS. All fees are explained on the shipper's website.

 

[SplashMo]

Try USPS flat rate priority shipping. You have to use their boxes but they are free.

 

[ellone]

Try USPS flat rate priority shipping. You have to use their boxes but they are free.

OP said 18 inches square - the large flat rate is 12 x12 x6 so it won't fit.

OP any side over 12 inches is considered oversized by the USPS so you may find their rates to be very high. UPS or Fedex will probably be cheaper if the distance you have to send it is far.

 

[Pesky]

UPS charged me about $37 to ship a 20cubic foot box to AZ full of baby stuff (and it was NOT light). I thought that was pretty reasonable. Apparently doing a big box is cheaper than doing many little boxes. And FYI, if you are a AAA member, you get a 5% discount. Ask about other discounts at UPS as well. Every little penny!

 

[KalamityJane]

Since you said it's not that heavy, UPS is your cheapest bet. USPS is good for heavy, smaller things (flat rate boxes), media mail or things under 13 oz (first class). Anything else I ship UPS. I ship a lot

 

[magsmum]

My husband is in the winter sports industry and does tons of shipping. He has switched virtually all his shipping to Fed Ex b/c right now they have the best rates. He probably has some kind of volume deal with Fed Ex, but I think it's worth checking out their shipping rates.

 

[Darcy03231]

I ship quite a bit and I've found FedEx ground tends to be the least expensive.

 

[HLAuburn]

I ship quite a bit and I've found FedEx ground tends to be the least expensive.

I shipped a 12x12x20 7 pound package last week. I priced out USPS, UPS, and FedEx and FedEx Ground was the least expensive option!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Do you have to send boxed? If you get a bag that he air ones out and put it in a shipping bag, could it be less expensive?
I have received clothes ll the ime in bags instead of boxes.

 

[SandrA9810]

It seems between 30-50lbs, UPS is cheaper than USPS. Although UPS does include $100 free insurance on items.

I do believe shipping from a UPS store is slightly higher than what you see online. UPS stores is not run by UPS directly. If you ask them about it, they can explain it to you.

 

[jgreco]

You can also ship things via Greyhound. A friend just moved and found this to be a good option to send all her clothes/shoes ahead of her drive.