Shipping Question

[sailr]

Psssst, whatcha sellin?

I'm getting ready to sell a couple of boats and wanted some advise on shipping. What company to use and how to calculate shipping cost to be able to include it in the price. I have bought plenty of stuff but never shipped anything.
Any help would be much appreciated
Thanks
Kevin

[knpc]

I going to sell a almost new proboat apache rtr ans a used titan 29 hull. Possibly one other one but not sure on that yet. Don't tell anyone

[HOTWATER]

First, let me say I am in the model boat business and do a lot of shipping. Here are my experiences and recommendations:

Last year, USPS went to a volumetric formula for large boxes. They have priced themselves out of business and they wonder why they're losing money and now want to cut our mail service back.

UPS is outrageously overpriced.

FedEx ground is great! I ship with them a lot. Pack the boat well. Don't try to just CRAM it in a box. I wrap the boat in a few layers of bubble wrap and then let the wrapped boat "float" in a sea of foam peanuts. If the boat is really heavy, provide a styrofoam 'bulkhead' on each end of the box. Another thing about FedEx ground. They are really pretty fast believe it or not. I have had large boxes go from Tampa, FL to Wisconsin in as little as three days. I have never had Fedex break anything. Can't say the same for USPS. UPS deems it a requirement to break everything I think. UPS is horrible!!

Gather up all of your packing materials and the boat. Weigh everything. Measure the box L x W x H.

Go to www.fedex.com and enter your data. Don't forget to add insurance if you want it insured. You will need to enter a zip code. I always use 90210 (Los Angeles) because that is pretty much all the way across the country from Tampa. You will get a price. I then add about $5 as a buffer in case the boat ends up going further, like Seattle or even Hawaii. Sometimes you make a tiny bit on the shipping and sometimes you lose. It all seems to even out in the end.

As for overseas shipping, I use USPS. They seem to allow larger packages in EMS (express mail service) than domestic priority mail.

DHL doesn't do domestic shipping anymore. There are other trucking/freight lines out there but a lot of them don't deliver to home addresses.

Good Luck! Hope this helps!

Jim
www.minicatracingusa.com

Sailr, sounds like very good advise! I am actually thinking about selling a few of my boats as well. Great thread!

thanks,
Kent

[sailr]

You can count on me to keep your secret!! If you want to PM me about the Titan I might be interested.

I going to sell a almost new proboat apache rtr ans a used titan 29 hull. Possibly one other one but not sure on that yet. Don't tell anyone

[crrcboatz]

Fed Ex is the best in my view. Shipped probably 25+ boats with them and never had damage. Like steve said however, a large part of that success is good packing. I used UPS once and only once and had to take a boat back because of damage. I take it directly to the Tulsa Airport outlet and the rates are much better than going to their outlets in other areas of the city.


Curt

[sailr]

Happy to help. Believe me, I've tried all of 'em for shipping. FedEx ground has been very good for me! It's easy to set up an account if you're going to be shipping often. The rates online, if you have an account, are a LOT lower than taking the box to Fedex. I use the online system and then just take it down the street to one of those Pack n Ship places where Fedex picks up. Works out really great!

Don't hesitate to ask if you need any more information.

PM me with what you're sellin!

Sailr, sounds like very good advise! I am actually thinking about selling a few of my boats as well. Great thread!

thanks,
Kent

[RandyatBBY]

I have only done a little with Fed ex I will try them thanks

[RandyatBBY]

For anything 12" x 12" x 12" or LESS, USPS priority mail is the choice but for anything larger than one cubic foot, forget priority mail. For outside the USA they have larger limits using EMS and it can be done through USPS.

Well I must have to thank you I sent out two packages yeaterday and three to day threw Fed ex I am waiting to hear customer response the cost was good $10 to $12 for 4 day servise.
any way thanks this will be the way we will be doing now.

[sailr]

Happy to help Randy! I'm getting tired of hearing the US Post Office whine about how they're losing money! They raised their rates so high that nobody will use them anymore. UPS is a nightmare. I really admire FedEx for keeping it real for us!! Being able to offer reasonable shipping costs to our customers helps our bottom line as well!

Jim

https://www.minicatracingusa.com

Well I must have to thank you I sent out two packages yeaterday and three to day threw Fed ex I am waiting to hear customer response the cost was good $10 to $12 for 4 day servise.
any way thanks this will be the way we will be doing now.