I stumbled across this several months ago when searching out the most cost effective way of shipping a 40 pound steel flywheel. It is similar to the USPS "Flat Rate" box shipping as it appears to be a flat rate price regardless of distance and also the 50 pound maximum weight. The big difference is that UPS Simple Ship costs are based on the cubic inch size of the package and which mode of shipment is chosen, "ground" being the least expensive. My packaging of the flywheel fell into the "medium" size and UPS Ground shipping of the package was just under $20.00! Since USPS did not have one of their "Flat Rate" boxes available in an appropriate size, their shipping to the same address would have cost $75.00!

 

Great information. Thank You. One of the reasons I have held off selling stuff is because shipping prices are so crazy.

 

Good to know that you got the flywheel shipped reasonably.

 

Out of curiosity, what were the departure and destination zip codes? I run an online store that ships daily, and would like to compare that price vs some other options.

 

ChillyJ, Same as the USPS "flat rate" shipping, the UPS "simple ship" does not appear to be affected by zip codes and distance as I currently have a package which I shall be shipping from my residence in Southeast Georgia to a residence in Phoenix AZ, approximately 2100 miles. This package although a little lighter at about 30 pounds is in the same UPS size category as the flywheel which I shipped to the residence in Massachusetts, approximately 1100 miles, and the shipping cost is identical! I am not a retailer and do not ship that often so there may be other restrictions that I am not aware of. Let us know if it works for you.

 

More and more I dislilke the USPS. My experience has been fairly friendly service but long lines because they are slow, the workers must have been born of sloth parents; their prices are too high, and I simply don't like them any more.

 

Would the buyer not cover the cost of shipping?

 

WTHIRTY1 I believe that the high cost of shipping of heavy bulky items may dampen the desire of the potential buyer to go thru with a purchase in many cases. USPS has a great program going with the "Flat Rate" shipping but it is limited to items that will fit into one of their boxes. Recently, they have removed one of the "large" category boxes from their list of "flat rate" boxes, the box that measures 24X3X12. You can still find it in the USPS website now listed as a "Board Game" box. I spoke with a clerk at my local Post Office and he believes that it was removed from the "flat rate" list and from the Post Office locations because of the length of the box; per our conversation he said that the automated canceling machines can only accept packages shorter than 22 inches. From the shipper's perspective, who wants to list items that the cost of shipping may be more than the cost of the item? From the buyer's perspective, that can turn off a sale!

 

I just was on the phone with UPS and asked about "simple ship". The person was obviously from an off shore phone bank. It took over 8 questions to get the answer about simple ship. Just like they do not want to let people about this service. Finally after asking again if UPS offered simple ship, she said YES it is offered. I always hate to get a person from an off shore phone bank because with their accent it is hard for me to understand what they are saying, along with my reduced hearing, I have to ask them to repeat what they are saying.

 

Yes the local PO has "de-emphasized" the flat rate "game box" for years. The USPS here is an interesting study of opposites. Yes there is the sense of "entitlement" with certain long term employees, and yet some of the younger ones are very friendly and helpful. Not all bad. But they probably realize how lucky they are to have gotten such a job. Amazing you were even able to reach one of the shippers via phone. Ebay, Zelle, PP, Venmo, etc can a real human being even be reached with any of those entities anymore?!?