Low cost way to ship a motorcycle seat?

[davidji]

So I had a one-piece motorcycle seat for sale. Reluctant to ship, but a guy in the southeast wanted it. Online UPS quoted me about $23 shipping, asking only weight, not dimensions. I boxed it, and the UPS store quoted me over $100, based on box dimensions, not weight.

Box originally came from Revzilla with a heavier load, and cost much less for them to ship, but they didn't pay retail either.

Maybe wrapping the seat in bubble wrap and affixing a label to that would cost less, but it could get damaged.

How have you shipped a motorcycle seat?

 

[sprorchid]

USPS should be the cheapest way to send it. box dimensions do matter, meaning smaller is cheaper.

 

[mean dad]

If you can get it to me in Concord, I'll ship it out of our warehouse a lot cheaper than a hundred bucks.
How much does it weigh, and what zippy code we sending it to? I'll tell you how much it'll cost me.

 

[TerryM]

I shipped a large seat to Denver for ~$65 from a Fedex/Kinkos, and that included them packaging it.

 

[davidji]

If you can get it to me in Concord, I'll ship it out of our warehouse a lot cheaper than a hundred bucks.
How much does it weigh, and what zippy code we sending it to? I'll tell you how much it'll cost me.

9lbs 14oz boxed, to 36542

 

[DTM74]

I've large shipped a seat to Idaho for $50 UPS. A month ago I was quoted $87 to WV, UPS.

 

[RVFRick]

9lbs 14oz boxed, to 36542

You'll need the package L x W x H dimensions as well. Carriers use something called "dimensional weight" when calculating charges. Makes sense, shipping a giant roll of bubble wrap that weighs 5 pounds but takes up 8 cubic feet in a truck or plane is gonna cost.

 

[/dev/null]

USPS has a maximum length + girth of 108 inches.
UPS adds a surcharge if the length + girth is > 130 inches.
Girth = 2x width + 2x height (length is the longest side)

 

[ratsblast]

USPS is cheapest way to go, FedEx in the middle, UPS is most expensive.

 

[RightCoastBias]

There's a dimensional weight calculation that UPS/FedEx go by. They'll choose dimensional weight or actual weight, whichever is higher.

Bubble/saran wrap and ship is probably the best way to keep dimensional weight down, but still, it won't be cheap.

Finding someone who has access to a UPS/FedEx shipping account for a business that does a decent amount of shipping will be the most cost effective, as they will get cheaper to significantly cheaper rates. UPS Store/FedEx Store will charge you full price.

 

[mean dad]

9lbs 14oz boxed, to 36542

Showing twenty-one bucks, but it may increase slightly if it's to a residence instead of a business.

I don't need dims. I'm charged by weight only unless it's oversized.

I'll pm you my work addy, I'm here weekdays until 3:15.

 

[ScottRNelson]

When I was parting out my wrecked Ducati Monster at the end of 2003 I shipped everything USPS - through the local post office. They had better prices than anywhere else I checked.

I'm what, the third or fourth one to say this?

 

[davidji]

Seat is shipped. Thanks Mean Dad!

 

[mean dad]

ort

Nice meeting you.

 

[NoTraffic]

Don't leave us hanging, how much was mean dad able to get it OTD?

 

[shouldnthave]

Don't leave us hanging, how much was mean dad able to get it OTD?

Showing twenty-one bucks, snip.

Looks like $21.

 

[davidji]

In the future with a longish item I'll try to do what he did, and package it smaller. He assembled two boxes together, which meant that it was sized to fit closely in the longest dimension, rather than if you find a box it fits in like I did, and it will probably be larger then necessary in all dimensions.

I had it in the box my bash plate came in from Revzilla. I know that cost them a lot less to ship than I was getting asked by UPS or USPS.

 

[Whammy]

Ship ground or 3rd class for the cheapest rates.
As long as it gets there

 

[mean dad]

Door to door was $25.XX
Residential deliveries increase cost.


I get nice rates from UPS due to our shipping volume.