Shipping large items cost effectively

[Design4color]

Can anyone help me figure out how to ship large items that do not weigh a lot, (5lbs), so it won't cost the buyer way too much money. I sew large barrel baskets for storing blankets/toys/drawings etc, they are circular, 18" round and 20" max high. I want to ship intact so I don't compromise the shape. I have inquired at UPS and I got a figure like $80, because of the size. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Former_Member]

I don't know how helpful this will be, but I have seen that some sellers of large items like furniture utilize the trucker routes... I am really not sure how they go about it - but from what I've heard they're usually willing to add to their loads if it doesn't take up too much space. The challenge is making sure that the route goes near the buyer.

I'm sorry, I wish I could be more help!

[Design4color]

I appreciate the input! Thanks!

[Former_Member]

shipping that size from Pa to Cal is $40 thru the post office.

[AcornAndAlice]

I often use fedex for my larger items, but always compare with usps rates, sometimes it is cheaper if the distance is relatively short. You can set up an online account with fedex and print your postage, they will provide you with free adhesive clear sleeves to hold your postage/ invoice on the outside of the carton. Fedex website can locate the nearest dropoff for you. If you need cartons and don't have a local supply, Uline.com is the best I've found.
When you print fedex postage, just go back to the print shipping page in etsy and input the fedex tracking number, then your customer is able to track their item.

[Former_Member]

Agree that FedEx is cheaper than USPS for heavy items or large packages.

I also discovered that Greyhound offers a service where you drop off the package, it ships when they have space in the bus, and the customer picks it up at their nearest Greyhound stop. WAYYYY cheaper than anything else, as long as your customer is willing to not know exactly when it ships and to pick it up.

[Former_Member]

And don't forget about safety of your items. Really. Last time when I did shipping I came across stuff damage, because it wasn't packed appropriately. That was a lesson to me. http://weighpack.com/ I'd advise you these machines.

[Former_Member]

Thanks this is very helfpul for me as well as I have a large package 48" x 48" x 6" that only weighs 15 pounds. I had heard federal express was the way to go.

[LeedsRadio]

FedEx is not cheaper than USPS, FedEx GROUND is cheaper to SOME destinations and with certain sized items. For shipping, for example a 5 pound 20 by 20 by 20 box across the country NY->LA/PDX/SEA etc, USPS Priority Mail is cheaper than any FedEx service and Standard post is even less

Dana and Todd,
For something that large UPS and FedEx aren't too far apart. USPS is out of the running as they won't take something that big.

I've used USPS almost exclusively the past 12 years and in all that time they have only lost one package (stolen in Italy) and damaged one. This after more than 10,000 package. No dim weighting on Express, no fuel surcharges, no billing mistakes, no surprises. But you have to learn to do things their way.

Before that I used UPS (one claim for damage a MONTH), Airborne (some billing problems), and FedEx (started off superb and ended up a nightmare