Observations in recent shipping rates for keyboards

[vivalarevolución]

Alright boys and girl, I have been noticing some shifts in the shipping price of keyboards, and I would like to inform you with my observations.  You can thank me any time you would like.

Now this might not be news for you, but keyboard shipping rates from UPS and Fedex Ground seems to have become competitive, if not cheaper, than parcel services offered by USPS.  This includes shipping to Canada.  As we all know, the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate is the best USPS deal for shipping large keyboards like the Model M with a $15.80 online price.  UPS Ground seems to be about the same as USPS right now.  The Ebay (and perhaps Paypal) discounted rates for Fedex seem unrealistically cheap.  I just shipped a Model M to western New York, and Fedex only wanted $10.50.   Heck, I shipped a 14-pound typewriter to Denver last week for $10 with Fedex.  14 pounds for $10!!!

Now shipping times with Fedex and UPS might be a tad longer than Priority Mail, but it does not seem to take more than 5 business days to anywhere in the country (not sure about Hawaii and Alaska, or APO addresses). 

Not to mention business hours for Fedex and UPS.  They are open early and close late, so I do not have to rush to the store during my workday.

For Canada, I was doing some shipping estimates for a Model M last night, and the ground shipping rates for UPS and Fedex are cheaper than USPS, at least to Eastern Canada.  USPS wanted $35-40, and the private services wanted $25-30.  I always thought USPS was the cheapest for any international shipping, but things seem to be changing or I was clueless in the first place.

If anybody might be able to inform me differently, please add to the discussion.

Revelations in keyboard shipping rates.  Amazing stuff.

[SpAmRaY]

I'm always on the lookout for the best value in shipping options. Thanks for the heads up.

Is the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate  the same as the gameboard box? I thought those were closer to $17 to ship.

[Michael]

I'm always on the lookout for the best value in shipping options. Thanks for the heads up.

Is the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate  the same as the gameboard box? I thought those were closer to $17 to ship.

Gameboard counts as large flat rate in pricing.

[jdcarpe]

Be aware that shipping via ground courier services (UPS/FedEx) across the border into Canada may result in some high "brokerage fees" for the recipient, apparently. I have zero experience with this.

[eth0s]

Yes, my wife noticed this too, and has told me to use FedEx Ground.  But the discount seems to apply mainly to ebay transactions (which is all she ever does).  However, you are right to recommend checking to see if FedEx Ground is cheaper, b/c sometime it is cheaper, even without the ebay discount.  But I've found that for most stuff flat rate USPS Priority is still a pretty good deal.  Especially if you print your own postage from USPS.com, and get the discount.  I'm no shill for the Post Office, but they are a good value.  But check FedEx ground too.

[vivalarevolución]

I'm always on the lookout for the best value in shipping options. Thanks for the heads up.

Is the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate  the same as the gameboard box? I thought those were closer to $17 to ship.

If you print a shipping label online on USPS, you can get an online rate of $15.80.

[vivalarevolución]

Be aware that shipping via ground courier services (UPS/FedEx) across the border into Canada may result in some high "brokerage fees" for the recipient, apparently. I have zero experience with this.

Interesting.  I will have to look out for that.

Yes, my wife noticed this too, and has told me to use FedEx Ground.  But the discount seems to apply mainly to ebay transactions (which is all she ever does).  However, you are right to recommend checking to see if FedEx Ground is cheaper, b/c sometime it is cheaper, even without the ebay discount.  But I've found that for most stuff flat rate USPS Priority is still a pretty good deal.  Especially if you print your own postage from USPS.com, and get the discount.  I'm no shill for the Post Office, but they are a good value.  But check FedEx ground too.

Priority Mail is still a good value with their online rates.  The Standard Post only seems economical for the smallest of packages and larger, heavier items, like the body parts I have to occasionally send through the mail.

Paypal lets you create a shipping label, and I am wondering if they offer discounted rates for FedEx or UPS.  I will have to check this evening.  Better yet, I will check now.

[vivalarevolución]

Also, next week, I will have a detailed analysis of the recent market in bubble wrap vs. Styrofoam peanuts, with a special feature on recycled and biodegradable options.

Can't wait!

[IPT]

by using courier services (UPS, Fedex, DHL, etc.) you run the risk of having high customs charges for the recepient even if marked as gift
you also run the risk of being charges brokerage fees if you yourself have an account with them.

I've shipped GPUs and what not by fedex ground before, i was hit with a $25.00 brokerage fee to Toronto on a GPU.
The recipient was also hit with Duty & Brokerage fees b4 fedex would release the shipment to them.

[fohat.digs]

I prefer UPS to Zone 1 (neighboring states) because it is very competitive with the Post Office, gives $80 insurance vs $50 with Priority Mail, and often delivers in 1 day, not 2 - the Priority Mail minimum. PO employees have verified that they will sit on it until the 2nd day, even if they have it.

As the distance increases, the private carriers usually escalate their fees more quickly than the PO.

Each has an intricate and confusing fee structure using a combination of weight and volume. I will bet that the 14 lb/$10 package was in a relatively small box.

FedEx actually carries most USPS Priority Mail continental, and UPS takes it to Alaska and Hawaii.

[Tarzan]

I prefer UPS to Zone 1 (neighboring states) because it is very competitive with the Post Office, gives $80 insurance vs $50 with Priority Mail, and often delivers in 1 day, not 2 - the Priority Mail minimum. PO employees have verified that they will sit on it until the 2nd day, even if they have it.

As the distance increases, the private carriers usually escalate their fees more quickly than the PO.

Each has an intricate and confusing fee structure using a combination of weight and volume. I will bet that the 14 lb/$10 package was in a relatively small box.

FedEx actually carries most USPS Priority Mail continental, and UPS takes it to Alaska and Hawaii.

I ship everything USPS, unless it's just too large.  I don't know about a two-day minimum, but I recently shipped two packages on a Saturday that arrived on Monday, which I thought was pretty decent speed.  And when I bought something from Florida, and it hadn't arrived on time, I was able to open an investigation using the Priority Mail tracking number and get it delivered the next day.

YMMV, of course.

[IPT]

also you have to factor in the fact UPS/FedEx both charge residential charges for an extra $3.00 and up as oppose to business deliveries.

Which is why if i'm arranging my own shipping, i usually ship it to my office to save that $3 bucks lol.

[vivalarevolución]

I prefer UPS to Zone 1 (neighboring states) because it is very competitive with the Post Office, gives $80 insurance vs $50 with Priority Mail, and often delivers in 1 day, not 2 - the Priority Mail minimum. PO employees have verified that they will sit on it until the 2nd day, even if they have it.

As the distance increases, the private carriers usually escalate their fees more quickly than the PO.

Each has an intricate and confusing fee structure using a combination of weight and volume. I will bet that the 14 lb/$10 package was in a relatively small box.

FedEx actually carries most USPS Priority Mail continental, and UPS takes it to Alaska and Hawaii.

I've had experiences where Priority will ship within one day, like from Indianapolis to southern Illinois, for example. 

And that 14lb/$10 package was a big box.  It was at least 18x18x8.  It's just that Fedex/Ebay collusion that is driving down prices.

[fohat.digs]

It's just that Fedex/Ebay collusion that is driving down prices.

That is good to know. FedEx tracking is by far the best.

I have never had any good experience with online shipping procedures. The USPS website is the worst in the universe. Even the employees are embarrassed by it.

The Post Office is 5 minutes from my house, I usually go there and pay cash at the counter.

[Pacifist]

Does fedex pick up at your door for ebay?

[microsoft windows]

[vivalarevolución]

It's just that Fedex/Ebay collusion that is driving down prices.

That is good to know. FedEx tracking is by far the best.

I have never had any good experience with online shipping procedures. The USPS website is the worst in the universe. Even the employees are embarrassed by it.

The Post Office is 5 minutes from my house, I usually go there and pay cash at the counter.

Yea, that USPS website is terrible.  It took me 3 tries and at least two deleted accounts before I finally got running on it.  But once you get it down, things are a little smoother.  And making customs labels is a heck of a lot easier than hand writing them.

[Novus]

In addition to being cheaper, Fedex comes with $100 insurance which is always a plus.
Fedex Home Delivery tacks on a residential surcharge though :X

[Noko]

Be aware that shipping via ground courier services (UPS/FedEx) across the border into Canada may result in some high "brokerage fees" for the recipient, apparently. I have zero experience with this.

Canadians rarely get charged duty on something mailed via USPS (last time I had to pay it was a ~$230 shipment).

FedEx is the next best alternative--they always charge the appropriate duty, but the fee they add on top for doing so is quite reasonable.  If I have to go with a courier for a shipment from the US, FedEx is usually what I choose.

UPS is the absolute killer.  Please, for the love of god, never ship a Canadian anything via UPS! 
They typically tack on at least 30-40 extra dollars of "processing fee" and have miserable customer service in Canada, and this has been the case for many years. 
A $100 keyboard will end up costing $170 easily.

[Zeal]

Anything shipped to Canada via Ground courier service over $20 will be subject to brokerage fees (% of item/minimum amount) + taxes(12-15%) + COD fee, and Eco fees, which vary depending on Province and courier company.

If you have a shipping account with a certain courier, you can also choose to pay duties ahead of time for the recipient, so they aren't taxed with COD, brokerage & eco fees. But then things get messy, and you'll have to calculate everything in advance.

^Agreed, I'd rather have Fedex charge me duty than UPS.

[iri]

Canadians rarely get charged duty on something mailed via USPS (last time I had to pay it was a ~$230 shipment).

for an elephant?

[vivalarevolución]

This is good info to know about shipping to Canada.  So do not ship UPS to Canada even if the online quote is cheaper because it does not include all the customs fees and taxes.
 
I've complained about it on this forum before, but WHERE THE HECK IS NAFTA FOR THE SMALL MAN???

[Zeal]

This is good info to know about shipping to Canada.  So do not ship UPS to Canada even if the online quote is cheaper because it does not include all the customs fees and taxes.
 
I've complained about it on this forum before, but WHERE THE HECK IS NAFTA FOR THE SMALL MAN???

If you ship via express (overnight airmail), then there's no brokerage & eco fees, only customs & COD, unless you prepay under your account. Pricing is usually a tad cheaper vs ground+all the ridiculous fees added on top.

Honestly, I'd rather stick with USPS when it's ordering stuff from US to Canada. Never been dinged before by customs, even for $200+ orders.

And NAFTA is only applicable if you have a proper certificate proving that everything in the keyboard (or item) was sourced within USA/Mexico.

-sigh- Why is the import limit for US $200 before having to pay customs?

[noisyturtle]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

[Zeal]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

That's when you move on to courier companies...

[lightsout714]

What do you guys do with TKL's? I am all about flat rate boxes. But the gameboard box is so huge for a TKL. And $16 hurts for something like a QFR.

I'm always looking for the best (cheapest) option for shipping as TKL.

[bexleycorona]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

What type of special tracking was this?

Was it priority?

I know the customs number isn't meant for tracking but it can tell you if an item is delivered. Registered service is only $13 more.

[tbc]

ya....PLEASE don't make canadians pay extra fees.  it is BRUTAL because we also have to pay a horrible exchange rate as well.

[SpAmRaY]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

Was it something big to some remote place? I always use online shipping and international tracking is included for a lot of destinations but I've never seen it add that much just for tracking.


Of course I'm still pissed at USPS because it costs me ~$40 to ship a phantom with a few extra parts, case etc within CONUS, it wouldn't fit in any of the flat rate boxes, or at least I didn't trust it would have had enough padding so I used my own box.

[Zeal]

ya....PLEASE don't make canadians pay extra fees.  it is BRUTAL because we also have to pay a horrible exchange rate as well.

Now if we could only rewind back to May 2009, when the Canadian Dollar was higher than the US Dollar... @ 1.15 CAD to 1 USD )

[fohat.digs]

What do you guys do with TKL's? I am all about flat rate boxes. But the gameboard box is so huge for a TKL.

Something relatively small and lightweight will probably go cheaper than the flat rate, if you can find a box that is appropriately-sized.

[vivalarevolución]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

Was it something big to some remote place? I always use online shipping and international tracking is included for a lot of destinations but I've never seen it add that much just for tracking.


Of course I'm still pissed at USPS because it costs me ~$40 to ship a phantom with a few extra parts, case etc within CONUS, it wouldn't fit in any of the flat rate boxes, or at least I didn't trust it would have had enough padding so I used my own box.

I would like to know how much stuff you put in that box and how heavy it weighed for the shipping cost to be $40 for a Phantom.

[Tarzan]

For another data point, I sent a motherboard and video card from VA to TN yesterday - via UPS.  $28 for the Ground service, estimated to arrive on Tuesday.

It was a large-ish box, because I wanted to make sure it was well padded, but that was pricy.

[SpAmRaY]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

Was it something big to some remote place? I always use online shipping and international tracking is included for a lot of destinations but I've never seen it add that much just for tracking.


Of course I'm still pissed at USPS because it costs me ~$40 to ship a phantom with a few extra parts, case etc within CONUS, it wouldn't fit in any of the flat rate boxes, or at least I didn't trust it would have had enough padding so I used my own box.

I would like to know how much stuff you put in that box and how heavy it weighed for the shipping cost to be $40 for a Phantom.

3.5lbs


derp....fixed below

[vivalarevolución]

For another data point, I sent a motherboard and video card from VA to TN yesterday - via UPS.  $28 for the Ground service, estimated to arrive on Tuesday.

It was a large-ish box, because I wanted to make sure it was well padded, but that was pricy.

Yea, I am sure that I can get cheaper rates for Fedex and UPS because I live a big city with the second largest Fedex airport hub in the country and I have retail outlets by my house and I do not have to worry about residential pickup.   I think that skews shipping estimates a little lower for me.

[vivalarevolución]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

Was it something big to some remote place? I always use online shipping and international tracking is included for a lot of destinations but I've never seen it add that much just for tracking.


Of course I'm still pissed at USPS because it costs me ~$40 to ship a phantom with a few extra parts, case etc within CONUS, it wouldn't fit in any of the flat rate boxes, or at least I didn't trust it would have had enough padding so I used my own box.

I would like to know how much stuff you put in that box and how heavy it weighed for the shipping cost to be $40 for a Phantom.

3.5lbs

now I am even more interested in the details.

[SpAmRaY]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

Was it something big to some remote place? I always use online shipping and international tracking is included for a lot of destinations but I've never seen it add that much just for tracking.


Of course I'm still pissed at USPS because it costs me ~$40 to ship a phantom with a few extra parts, case etc within CONUS, it wouldn't fit in any of the flat rate boxes, or at least I didn't trust it would have had enough padding so I used my own box.

I would like to know how much stuff you put in that box and how heavy it weighed for the shipping cost to be $40 for a Phantom.

3.5lbs

now I am even more interested in the details.

I take that back it wasn't 3.5 lbs it was 5lbs 11oz.

From what I remember it was an assembled phantom and an unassembled acrylic case with screws, nuts etc which all was wrapped up in bubble wrap and also double boxed, is it bad I don't even really remember...maybe I put something else in there to. AND I had it insured for $200. I mean yeah the box was fairly large and it went all the way across the country but I still thought the shipping was really high.

[IPT]

For another data point, I sent a motherboard and video card from VA to TN yesterday - via UPS.  $28 for the Ground service, estimated to arrive on Tuesday.

It was a large-ish box, because I wanted to make sure it was well padded, but that was pricy.

Yea, I am sure that I can get cheaper rates for Fedex and UPS because I live a big city with the second largest Fedex airport hub in the country and I have retail outlets by my house and I do not have to worry about residential pickup.   I think that skews shipping estimates a little lower for me.

doesn't matter if you're in the shipping HQ for fedex or UPS.
They charge residential surcharge for pickups and delivery if necessary.

The retail stores fedex account discount is different from what your fedex account will be.
Unless you're moving 50+ packages a month, then maybe you'll equal some of the FedEx account discounts.

For example, if you're doing your own fedex personal account and shipping here and there, you'll only get the courtesy 10% discount if you ship it through your own fedex.com account.  If you take it to FedEx to ship or Fedex Office (Kinkos), you'll be charged the general tariff rate.

Source being i work in logistics, my company's FedEx account discount is over 50% tariff rate while my personal is only 10%
And my FedEx hub is JFK Airport, NY.

[IPT]

USPS wanted like $40 for Int. tracking. Just for tracking, not even the total price. That's pretty ****ing stupid.

Was it something big to some remote place? I always use online shipping and international tracking is included for a lot of destinations but I've never seen it add that much just for tracking.


Of course I'm still pissed at USPS because it costs me ~$40 to ship a phantom with a few extra parts, case etc within CONUS, it wouldn't fit in any of the flat rate boxes, or at least I didn't trust it would have had enough padding so I used my own box.

I would like to know how much stuff you put in that box and how heavy it weighed for the shipping cost to be $40 for a Phantom.

3.5lbs

now I am even more interested in the details.

I take that back it wasn't 3.5 lbs it was 5lbs 11oz.

From what I remember it was an assembled phantom and an unassembled acrylic case with screws, nuts etc which all was wrapped up in bubble wrap and also double boxed, is it bad I don't even really remember...maybe I put something else in there to. AND I had it insured for $200. I mean yeah the box was fairly large and it went all the way across the country but I still thought the shipping was really high.

cost me $60 something dollars to ship a box to Bunny in the UK from NY with USPS.
I think it weighed in at 5.5 lbs lol.