Shipping or mailing WH parts ?

[groundhog47 418]

I've not found any new info therefore does anyone know of a more economical way to "transfer/ship" parts. Fastenal (and appear still do but very restrictive on content) was available in some areas and USPS flat rate has skyrocketed. Is it worth traveling to meet in between to meet for transfer. I have trailer loads of parts I don't wish to see scrapped and don't want to see someone have to pay big dollars for shipping single digit dollar parts. I know we had and still do I suppose "member help hauling" section. If most of you are similar in need of a part you want it now not three weeks from now. Any way I welcome any viable methods available

[squonk 44,973]

I ship quite a bit. Mostly small parts but I if someone wants something I have, I estimate the shipping on the USPS calculator. I have a refrigerant scale to weigh stuff and keep a variety of boxes on hand. I find if my selling price is reasonable, the seller doesn't get to upset with the shipping.

 

The only thing I ever had an issue with was a rare HO train set I had. I must have sold it 20 times. Everyone said "I want it!" but when I tried to charge $30 to ship and insure they backed out. 

[ebinmaine 76,053]

38 minutes ago, squonk said:

if someone wants something I have, I estimate the shipping on the USPS calculator

 

Same here but we use a decent quality bathroom scale.  

Weigh a human. Hold the part and weigh again. Subtract. 

 

We simply don't have good access to UPS or FedEx so our stuff goes out by USPS. 

 

Pricing. Is. Nuts. 

 

But to fair, it isn't the freight prices that are high. It's everything. 

 

10 years ago most of my small packages were leaving at $7 to $9 and I questioned at $10. 

Nowadays my minimum amount is more like $14. 

 

Inflation exists. 

 

 

[ri702bill 10,771]

17 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

10 years ago most of my small packages were leaving at $7 to $9 and I questioned at $10. 

Nowadays my minimum amount is more like $14. 

 

Inflation exists. 

Well said. And remember - if you ship via UPS and do not generate your own label, you end up usually going to either Staples or The UPS Store. They both add an upcharge to generate the label....

[Ed Kennell 43,927]

This is what I usually use.    Yeah, it hurts when the shipping cost more than the part, But at a buck a mile average cost to operate a vehicle, it is still cheaper.

The flat rate costs for USPS in 2025 are as follows:

• Small Flat Rate Box: $9.45
• Medium Flat Rate Box: $16.10
• Large Flat Rate Box: $22.80
• Flat Rate Envelope: $9.65
  These prices allow you to send items weighing up to 70 lb for a single price, regardless of the destination within the U.S.. 

   

  2
• 

  

   

  2 So

lly use.

 

[ri702bill 10,771]

Just now, Ed Kennell said:

These prices allow you to send items weighing up to 70 lb for a single price, regardless of the destination within the U.S.. 

For the Boxes, yes. I have my reservations on the Shipping Envelope, even though it is well constructed..

[pfrederi 19,345]

USPS proposed new rates for 2026 flat rate

Small 11.20

Med 22.95

Lge 31.50

[Ed Kennell 43,927]

9 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

USPS proposed new rates for 2026 flat rate

Wow, 38% increase this year and my social security COLA was 1.6%.     USPS and IRS must use two different formulas.   

[ri702bill 10,771]

15 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

USPS and IRS must use two different formulas

But doesn't your Social Security Award Letter arrive via USPS???  

[pfrederi 19,345]

14 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

But doesn't your Social Security Award Letter arrive via USPS???  

Actually most SS stuff is now on line only no more paper...

[Ed Kennell 43,927]

Actually I do get a paper letter showing my COLA increase and the medicare increase that equals a reduced SS payment.

[Ed Kennell 43,927]

Sorry  @groundhog47   for taking your thread  .         

[lynnmor 8,294]

I send out a set of three plastic snowblower chute guides and the USPS charge is over $6, probably more next year.  I just ordered some batteries from China and they cost $1.99 shipping included.  Do you suppose we are being taken for a ride?

[Handy Don 15,346]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

But doesn't your Social Security Award Letter arrive via USPS???  

Mine did. Two different mailings. 

[rmaynard 16,718]

3 hours ago, ri702bill said:

 The UPS Store... add an upcharge to generate the label....

I stood in the local UPS store a couple of weeks ago to drop off an Amazon return. An older lady (probably my age) shipped a small package to her son in another state.I watch the whole transaction. The package weighed 10 ounces and they charged her $23.00 for regular ground. I ship 2 brake linings (12 ounces) via USPS Ground Advantage for $5.93. I ask you, who is ripping off who?

[Brockport Bill 2,139]

something i learned unexpectedly about a year ago is.... the UPS price can be different price if the location is actually a UPS "owned/operated" location.... versus if it's a business operating a UPS outlet which is higher $ --- I also did about 4 test items over a couple months and learned a direct comparison for exact same item was less expenssive post office shipping versus more expensive UPS -- i have not done the same comparison tests for FedEx? Perhaps these comparisons elsewhere around USA might be different??????? I only have shipped "smallish" to medium box carton items  -- $10-25 ---- so that's my only reference.

[953 nut 63,293]

I have used a shipping service called Pirate Ship that saves a few bucks on shipping cost. You get a very nicely printed label with a tracking number and a reduced price.

https://www.pirateship.com/

[rmaynard 16,718]

6 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

I have used a shipping service called Pirate Ship that saves a few bucks on shipping cost. You get a very nicely printed label with a tracking number and a reduced price.

https://www.pirateship.com/

And there is no monthly cost other than the postage. Another good service is Shippo. Neither requires a label printer.

[groundhog47 418]

22 hours ago, squonk said:

I ship quite a bit. Mostly small parts but I if someone wants something I have, I estimate the shipping on the USPS calculator. I have a refrigerant scale to weigh stuff and keep a variety of boxes on hand. I find if my selling price is reasonable, the seller doesn't get to upset with the shipping.

 

The only thing I ever had an issue with was a rare HO train set I had. I must have sold it 20 times. Everyone said "I want it!" but when I tried to charge $30 to ship and insure they backed out. 

 Thanks that gives me a start. I guess the flat rate is what is so bad. I used to ship flat rate boxes so full they would strain me on lifting.

[squonk 44,973]

I shipped rear weights in 2 FL boxes.

[ebinmaine 76,053]

12 minutes ago, squonk said:

I shipped rear weights in 2 FL boxes.

 

Works good. I've had em sent here that way too.  

[groundhog47 418]

22 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

This is what I usually use.    Yeah, it hurts when the shipping cost more than the part, But at a buck a mile average cost to operate a vehicle, it is still cheaper.

The flat rate costs for USPS in 2025 are as follows:

• Small Flat Rate Box: $9.45
• Medium Flat Rate Box: $16.10
• Large Flat Rate Box: $22.80
• Flat Rate Envelope: $9.65
  These prices allow you to send items weighing up to 70 lb for a single price, regardless of the destination within the U.S.. 

   

  2
• 

  

   

  2 So

lly use.

 

 Thanks, It just seems robbery to sell at less than $10 and add $10 shipping, but I guess our horses deserve to get fixed as long as doen't break the bank. When I get all sorted out I'll test the waters. 

[Handy Don 15,346]

I was watching a documentary about remote Alaskan villages and it mentioned an example of someone having mailed in a couple of desperately needed cinder blocks since the only regular deliverer was USPS.