Shipping Costs for Corals...

[ZURCSREEF]

I am looking to sell a few frags I have of corals I am trimming down, but I am finding it hard to get pricing on what exactly the shipping costs are going to be.

The cheapest with UPS Next Day is $64 for a 8x7x6 insulated box weighing in at a max of 6lbs.

Fedex Standard Overnight, $79 - with same specs as above

USPS Express $62 - with same specs as above..

How are people shipping $30 for USPS Express, $50 for UPS Overnight, and $55 for FEDEX Overnight?

I have shipped before, using USPS Priority in insulated boxes for zoanthids and other soft corals, but never anything over night...

Would appreciate any ideas/comments/suggestions...

Thanks in advanced,
-Mike C.

 

[ludnix]

A lot of it depends on where you are and where you're shipping it. I know I can get things down to southern California for about $22.

 

[DVNO]

yes shipping costs vary esp if you are in a remote location or sending to a remote location
for example, HI is always more

 

[ZURCSREEF]

Lol, thanks for the responses everyone, but I know this. That is not at all what I am asking. I got those shipping quotes from instate shipping and then did out of state (california) calculation and it was only a few dollars difference for the same service.

 

[anomie]

Some people are eating some of the shipping costs but also others have accounts with UPS or FedEx through work or whatever and they do give discounts based of volume, contracts, etc.

6lbs can ship a lot of corals. I just sent a 8 frag shipment for $25 through USPS.

 

[crvz]

How are you getting your quotes?

If you open a fedex account (which is free and you can do it online), you do get discounts. If you walk up to a counter, or a generic shipping store especially, you will pay more to ship. If you do all the leg work yourself, then just drop it off at a fedex location, you'll save a good amount of money. I ship 10"x7"x7", and the last 2 were about 8 lbs. Both were under $65.

 

[faze07hd]

what would you be selling. i live in tampa bay and you could do priority to me. I know its not garunteed next day but if you get to the p.o. before 3ish, it should be here the next day. That case, shipping would be like 10-15. Let me know.

 

[TomRep]

I just shipped a box from PA to KY USPS express and it cost $25. Package has/had 6 frags in it with a heat pack and only weighed 2 pounds. IMO 6 pounds is a lot of weight for a shipment unless there is a piece of rock the frags are attached to.
tom

 

[walkthedog]

Your not going to get 30 or 40 $ shipping. (at least not cross country rates in state ... maybe) Fedex, UPS, give larger shippers discounts. I would ball park that Marine Depot gets around 40-60% discount off what me or you would pay. Volume means everything. Trust me; thats what I do for a living. (Shipping) Base rates are based on 4 things; distance, weight, speed, and is it going to bus. or res. If it is only going to be a few states over then ground is an option. Example: From Hickory NC I can use fedex ground and ship to most of VA, TN, NC, SC, and part of GA for under 10$. Call fedex and have it "held for dock pick-up" then pick it up at 8:00 in the morning. Same deal for Saturday delivery. Fedex Home Delivery regular work days are Tues - Saturday. Saturday is a normal work day don't cost extra but you can't overnight anything unless your with in a few states. You can see your overnight zone at www.fedex.com.

 

[ZURCSREEF]

Thank you every one for your responses, after lowering the weight to 2lbs, made a really big difference.

As for what I am selling, it will be posted in the forums soon.

Thanks again everyone.
-Mike C.

 

[landlord]

Another example -

Just shipped from KY to VA this AM. 8 corals in a styro cooler. Box was approx 20x12x16. No idea of weight. Priority Next Day FedEX cost 52 and some change.

landlord