I shipped my pants

[wallfish 18,072]

I need to send some T-shirts from the big show to Neil in the UK. I usually just use the US Postal Service but have had some issues with international shipping taking very long to get there and some were held up in customs too. Thought I'd try UPS this time since many international packages have been received quickly with no issues and were sent here with reasonable rates. So, I crapped my pants when the clerk at UPS gave me a quote of $165. The box is only 10" x 10" x 4" and less than 2 lbs.

[Racinbob 11,919]

USPS International looks to be about $100 less than that. I'm stunned. Just a very few years ago I was shipping overseas via USPS for just a couple bucks more than domestic.

[953 nut 59,808]

Too bad you or the recipient don't know a member of the US Military there, shipping to an APO is about the same as domestic.. 

[AMC RULES 37,196]

So, was it any cheaper John...
to just ship your pants instead?     

[rmaynard 16,291]

Priority Mail International® Medium Flat Rate Box
USPS-Produced Box: 13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" or 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"
Maximum weight 20 pounds. is $62.95. 

 

[wallfish 18,072]

So, was it any cheaper John...
to just ship your pants instead?    

 

They now need to be cleaned before I ship them again!

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

I bought an item from China for $20, including shipping. To return it was $165. 

[Coadster32 793]

I bought an item from China for $20, including shipping. To return it was $165. 

That's the fair trade market for you.

[rmaynard 16,291]

My wife needed a new charger for her Kindle, so I ordered one from South Korea. $5.00 and FREE shipping. Got here in seven days.

And you wonder why the Post Office loses over $5Billion dollars a year.

[wallfish 18,072]

Government waste and red tape.
Found it kind of funny when the GOVERNMENT sent out all of that active anthrax recently, they use FedEx for shipping stuff instead of the US post office.

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

I'm not looking for an argument. Unfortunately there still is a misconception about today's Postal Service. Below is from their website. USPS actually loses close to $10 Billion a year but I'm sure does a better job than privatization. They are required to make a profit. UPS works five days a week, not Saturdays. Also I have also received items shipped by FedEx delivered by USPS.

I'm old enough to remember large stores having their own delivery department. Today we have independents ( Have truck- Will trash) that deliver large packages. I once received a glass top table by an independent that came in a thousand pieces. Dropped the package in front of me, jumped in the truck, and drove away!.
 

United States Postal Service

The Post Office Department was transformed into the United States Postal Service, an independent establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States. The mission of the Postal Service remained the same, as stated in Title 39 of the U.S. Code:

 

The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities.

 

The new Postal Service officially began operations on July 1, 1971, when the Postmaster General ceased to be a member of the President’s Cabinet. The Postal Service received:

 

Operational authority vested in a Board of Governors and Postal Service executive management, rather than in Congress.

 

Authority to issue public bonds to finance postal buildings and mechanization.

 

Direct collective bargaining between representatives of management and the unions.

 

A new rate-setting procedure, built around an independent Postal Rate Commission.

 

The Postal Reorganization Act changed the United States postal system in many ways.
 

Finances and Rates

The act established an independent Postal Rate Commission of five members, appointed by the U.S. President with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate, to recommend postal rates and mail classifications for adoption by the Postal Service Governors. It authorized the Postal Service to borrow money from the general public and phased out the general public service subsidy, which the Postal Service ended earlier than required, last accepting an operational subsidy in 1982. It also authorized appropriations to reimburse the Postal Service for carrying congressionally established categories of free and reduced-rate mail and required that rates for each class of mail cover direct and indirect costs attributable to that class, plus a portion of institutional costs.