posted on January 14, 2008 04:59:13 PM
Just heard from my PO guys that there are some new larger flat rate boxes that will be available soon. They told me they are about the size of #7 and another size. Not on the website yet. This would be great for larger heavy items shipped from coast to coast. Postage will be about $12.50, I think.
posted on January 14, 2008 09:33:00 PM
Heard something similar - but I think you might find that the large box won't be that close to the dimensions of a #7.
Just do your calculations before you order a bunch of them, because unless you're selling something small and heavy, the flat rate boxes just don't cut it - even from coast to coast.
I think that just may be the reason why they're adding more sizes - not as many people have been duped into using the others... or, it's taken this long for people to educate themselves and, since May 14, 2007, they've seen a decrease in their marketshare because of the rate increase. I know about 15% of our previously-USPS shipped items are now going via FedEx at a significant savings - because of the dimensional weight increase that went into effect.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on January 15, 2008 06:21:31 AM
It depends on the size, they might be fine for very heavy things going coast to coast. I will check with my Posties today. Off topic, there was an article in our newspaper here that says Walgreens will have kiosks for DHL shipping and it will be most of the Walgreens. That might give the Post Office a run for its money.
posted on January 15, 2008 06:33:35 AM
I love the flat rate boxes. I ship a lot of fairly heavy items,3-4 pounds, not too large and can fit 3-4 of them in a Flat Rate #1. To the west coast it costs more than that if over 2 pounds!!
posted on January 15, 2008 07:01:08 AM
The flat rates usually don't work for what I ship. Yesterday the PO clerk was trying to sell me on the newer size coming out. Makes me worried that they might do away with the #7 box (I use regularly). In fact, I mailed yesterday in one and the shipping was $6.55, so I certainly won't benefit from the flat rate boxes. They have always been such an awkward size that even when I have something heavy, it won't fit in one.
posted on January 15, 2008 09:35:56 AM
wow... 12.50's not so good ... get it down to the 8.95 or so rate and that's a lot better. edited to say, especially for the coast to coast deliveries. regular priority mail (boxes) are better for same coastal/area sectors, (i'm in ohio) as my experience as been recently. then, go 'flat rate' boxes for next sector over (like texas etc) and points west.
[ edited by aintrichyet on Jan 15, 2008 09:39 AM ]
posted on January 15, 2008 09:52:16 AM
$12.50 is a good rate for me. I just sent a box with heavy items to CA from east coast, regular #7 box and it cost $29.50. Sent one, same size to TX $28.55. $12.50 looks good depending on the exact size of the box and what you are sending and to what zone. Like I said, it costs $11.25 from coast to coast if you are over 2 pounds. What I like about the flat rate boxes is I can stuff them with newspaper, or whatever as filler, does not have to be light weight like peanuts or bubbles.
posted on January 15, 2008 10:24:14 AM
deichan - ok but when I looked at your auctions or at least I thought they were yours under deichan, the listing was from Germany
