[Radman]

I have responded to two people looking for parts recently. After getting burned by shipping cost in the past, I now quote a price plus actual shipping costs. I have a guy in New York looking for a grill, and a guy in Kansas looking for a hood. I took the grill to several places today to get quotes for shipping. A 2 and 1/2 pound grill from Ohio to New York by UPS would cost $342 and change. Two other places that I went to said that they will no longer ship car parts. And the trucking company that I was refered to only charges by the full load, that would be $2,197.12. This is insane. I can deliver it myself for less.

[72projectbird]

It's outta control. We've entered the land of insanity.

I shipped two trim rings, in one box, and it was $70. Wtf

[boltbuster]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

It's outta control. We've entered the land of insanity.

I shipped two trim rings, in one box, and it was $70. Wtf

I guess that I got lucky? I shipped a '67 intake (43# boxed) from Lake Co., IL to St. Louis for $45, including $200 insurance, UPS Ground... I know StL isn't not that far away, but...

[Radman]

The size of box needed is 60X15X15. Also very fragle and subject to bending in the middle. If that happens, it is now junk.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by dmorg1

..So I have to wonder how the USPS can put all that additional effort along with the packaging materials into this parcel and then charge less than half of what it would have cost without all of that additional effort... Dave

The flat rate box sizes are standardized so mechanical handling can be used, reducing labor.

Originally Posted by Radman

The size of box needed is 60X15X15. Also very fragle and subject to bending in the middle. If that happens, it is now junk.

A lightweight crate may be in order here, or a box made of triple ply corrugated.

[Joe's Garage]

The UPS Store and Kinko's charge you just about double the standard UPS / FEDEX rates - someone has to pay for all those employees to smile and be helpful.

Kinkos also is NOT FEDEX - they've just got a working relationship and they make money on top of what FEDEX would charge you on the FEDEX website.

We ship a TON of stuff using USPS Priority Mail flat-rate. The USPS insurance is a lot more expensive, so, on some high-dollar items, it's better to go with UPS.

Here's a trick to save you some money when using UPS: Use the Promo Code 'SOAR'.

It saves you 20% on the basic freight charge, and, I think, 40% on 2nd Day and Overnight. But only on the actual freight charge, so if your total is $50, and $10 of that is insurance or special handling, you will only get 20% off of the $40 base charge, or $8.

Hey, every little bit helps, right? $8 is almost a gallon of gas these days.....

[Joe's Garage]

New promo code is 'SPARK'

Saves you 25% on Ground and 45% on Next Day, 2nd Day or 3 Day service.

Again, they only discount the actual freight charge, not any insurance or additional fees.

Good luck!

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Radman

The size of box needed is 60X15X15. Also very fragle and subject to bending in the middle. If that happens, it is now junk.

I recently shipped a similar sized box, about 50 pounds. I used my FedEx account. I packed myself. Cost was under $70.

[Half-Inch Stud]

I have rersorted to Facebook marketplace

[DOC]

If you can find a distribution business to ship to another buisness, the rates will be much lower. At my work, For me to ship a 18x18x12 box weighing up to 20 or so lbs UPS ground costs between $15-20 depending on the shipping zone. Again, Business to Business is normally the best....

[mgarblik]

I have a Fed-EX account. I see you live in Tipp City, OH I do also. Run that box over the Dayton International Airport Fed_Ex shipping point. It's right on Cargo Road and get a quote. Setting up an account is free.

[b-man]

You can’t drop stuff off at a shipping outlet and not expect to pay exorbitant prices. About 20 years ago I packed up a pair of iron Pontiac cylinder heads and took them to my local UPS store. The cost to ship was double what it cost to ship them myself with a UPS account. No packaging for the store to do and the cost was double.

The folks working at the UPS store for the most part don’t understand how to package things properly anyway. Learn to properly package your items, never depend on a shipping company to do it right.

Once you figure out how to package your items in a bullet proof fashion then use your credit card to establish an account with a major shipping company like FedEx or UPS. Pack it, print the label and set it on your doorstep, residential pickups usually only cost about 3 dollars.

I get most of my boxes and bubble wrap for free, where I work there’s a steady supply of used boxes and packaging materials that get tossed daily.

Shipping costs have certainly risen but there are smart ways to minimize the cost but it does take some patience and effort to do your own packaging.

Items that are big and heavy enough to go truck freight are another story, but again there are less expensive options if you do your research.

[63 Pontiac]

I ship all over the country, there's no way a grill should cost that much. I use UPS for big stuff and do my own packaging.

[tekuhn]

Check with Fastenal. They will accept palleted freight and ship store-to-store for pickup. I have used them for a differential and also a door and fender. The rates were quite good. Last time I used them (2017) was to ship a complete '70 12-bolt differential from Indiana to Texas and the total cost was $175.

[Half-Inch Stud]

i shipped a set of iron D-ports in Samsonite luggage via a GREYHOUND bus.
So easy i sent a crankshaft in samsonite luggage on a GREYHOUND again.

Easiest "boxing" ever.

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

i shipped a set of iron D-ports in Samsonite luggage via a GREYHOUND bus.
So easy i sent a crankshaft in samsonite luggage on a GREYHOUND again.

Easiest "boxing" ever.

That is slick! I'll have to remember that one.

[BOB VIDAN]

You didn't say what grille you were shipping and depending on what it is it could be charged by dimensional weight and that can be really expensive.

[fyrffytr1]

I just shipped a visor for a 1950 Pontiac. Weight was 31 pounds 7 ounces and dimensions were 14"x21"x58" and it cost me $175 with $300 insurance. It went from south west Georgia to Oregon. I used UPS. The guy in Oregon is shipping a hood waterfall for my 50 and it weighed 41 pounds, box was 10"x12"x 48" IIRC. It cost him $117 with $500 insurance. He shipped USPS.

[dataway]

I have accounts with USPS, UPS and FedEx ... don't have to be a business to open one. Pack it up, weigh it, measure it, shop the rates, print the label, drop it off.

I paid less than your quotes for that grill to ship an Endura bumper last year. Wrapped up the sharp corners in heavy cardboard, stuck a label to it and dropped it off at UPS.

[Andre]

With UPS shipping account the more you ship, the bigger discounts you get. Business to business is best prices. I also generate labels for people shipping to me so they don't have to worry about shipping costs because if I let them do that, its rare they will get a cost that is high.