G1 Question about shipping ponies

Midnight Fireflies

Midnight Fireflies

Hoarder of Boy Ponies!
Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
660
Hi there! Question! I am wondering if I am doing something wrong when I ship a pony to someone-it seems that members in the US can ship a pony for much cheaper than I can. For me it is no less than $6 to ship for a full sized G1 pony-(Includes first class -about $5.50,and cost of packaging-padded envelope-about $.50) and that's just for ONE pony! Sometimes, due to the size of the package(multiple ponies-I typically use the smallest box that I can safely package ponies- I am FORCED by USPS to use priority shipping which is like 4x as much. Is it just where I live? (Wisconsin) or is there something I am missing where I can ship them cheaper? For the record, I physically go to the post office to ship. Currently, do not have a working printer. Thanks for any feedback!
 
Hi @Midnight Fireflies! :)

Here's a little something from our upcoming Tutorial on shipping:

There are 3 main choices for shipping via USPS: First Class, Priority Mail, and Parcel Ground

First Class mail:
- Must weigh less than 16oz
- Parcels cannot measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined.
- Small packages start at $4.80.
- The price of postage depends on the size and weight of the package and where it is shipping to. The further from you, the more expensive: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c038
- Insurance is not included.
- Tracking is included.
- Usually 5-10 business days transit time.

Priority Mail:
- Can be any weight up to 70lbs
- Packages start at $9.00
- The price of postage depends on the size and weight of the package and where it is shipping to. The further from you, the more expensive: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c031
- Insurance up to $50 is included
- Tracking is included
- Usually 3-5 business days transit time.

USPS Retail/Parcel Ground:
- Takes a little longer but less expensive: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c052

Also note:
USPS Media Mail:
- For books and media only
- Takes longer but much less expensive: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c059


For heavy but small items, you can use a Flat Rate service to sometimes save some money. There are many different size Flat Rate boxes and mailers, and whatever you can fit in them up to 70lbs ships for a flat rate set price depending on the size of the box: https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm#flatrate


Most ponies will ship perfectly safely in a bubble mailer with some padding. I would only use a box for a single pony if it were a very valuable pony or something like a Summer Wing pony with breakable parts.


Now, all that said, there are several options for getting discounted shipping online. Some require you to print your label at home, and some provide a QR code that you can scan from your phone at the post office.

Pirateship.com is my preferred method. Others include NetParcel, Shippo, and others.

Hope this helps! :)
 
Midnight Fireflies said:
Hi there! Question! I am wondering if I am doing something wrong when I ship a pony to someone-it seems that members in the US can ship a pony for much cheaper than I can. For me it is no less than $6 to ship for a full sized G1 pony-(Includes first class -about $5.50,and cost of packaging-padded envelope-about $.50) and that's just for ONE pony! Sometimes, due to the size of the package(multiple ponies-I typically use the smallest box that I can safely package ponies- I am FORCED by USPS to use priority shipping which is like 4x as much. Is it just where I live? (Wisconsin) or is there something I am missing where I can ship them cheaper? For the record, I physically go to the post office to ship. Currently, do not have a working printer. Thanks for any feedback!
Click to expand...
I ran into and still run into this. You’re not alone. Shipping is just spendy.
 
Tak said:
I ran into and still run into this. You’re not alone. Shipping is just spendy.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. Good gawd it's so refreshing that i share the same issue with someone. I'm not trying to screw anyone. It just IS. :(
 
Midnight Fireflies said:
I am FORCED by USPS to use priority shipping which is like 4x as much.
Click to expand...
Just a reminder to all, USPS can only solely allow the use of a certain service (ie: Priority) if the item does not fit the constraints of First Class (ie: Under 16oz, and under the size limit). You can always ask for First Class if they try to push a pricier service on you. And if they refuse, I would report them and go to a different post office. The postal service takes things like that pretty seriously.

How to report behavior at a specific USPS branch or in regard to a specific event or interaction:

File an Online Complaint | Office of Inspector General OIG

www.uspsoig.gov www.uspsoig.gov
www.usps.com

Contact Us | USPS

Get help with USPS products and services: Connect with USPS Customer Service by email or phone.
www.usps.com
 
MustBeJewel said:
Just a reminder to all, USPS can only solely allow the use of a certain service (ie: Priority) if the item does not fit the constraints of First Class (ie: Under 16oz, and under the size limit). You can always ask for First Class if they try to push a pricier service on you. And if they refuse, I would report them and go to a different post office. The postal service takes things like that pretty seriously.

How to report behavior at a specific USPS branch or in regard to a specific event or interaction:

File an Online Complaint | Office of Inspector General OIG

www.uspsoig.gov www.uspsoig.gov
www.usps.com

Contact Us | USPS

Get help with USPS products and services: Connect with USPS Customer Service by email or phone.
www.usps.com
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info! I have noticed that the smaller branch is always trying to help me get a better price. I wondered why the main branch always cost more. I thought they were just too busy.
 
Tak said:
Thank you for the info! I have noticed that the smaller branch is always trying to help me get a better price. I wondered why the main branch always cost more. I thought they were just too busy.
Click to expand...
USPS pricing is set by corporate, and should not vary from branch to branch regardless of the size or location. Chances are, if anything, some branches may try to upsell you. Don't let them. As long as a parcel fits within the constraints of First Class, you are not obligated to ship via a more expensive service.

Edited to add:

Something that hasn't helped is that the PO has been regularly hiking up their rates, including that they now charge extra for service during the holiday season: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/nat...unces-proposed-temporary-rate-adjustments.htm

With the pandemic and current inflation, postage rates in general continue to rise to all-time highs. And sadly there isn't anything we can do about that. So options like PirateShip become the norm, at least for sellers/shippers like me.

Also, it's worth bearing in mind that some sellers take a few dollars off of the shipping they charge, and just eat the cost in the interest of generating a sale. So it's not always as it seems, either. ;)
 
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Wooooow. o_O. Thank You MBJ. I saved your first response for reference but did not know the second. I will keep this in mind. Holy $#@&^%&&
 
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