General Cycling Discussion - Shipping dimensions: 130in or 131in?

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RubeRad
10-05-12, 09:01 PM
I'm trying to ship a Trico Iron Case (not even containing a bike! -- interstate CL sale (attempted anyways)). Published dimensions of 47 x 30.5 x 11.5 indicate they manufactured specifically to meet the 130in (length + girth) limit apparently shared between USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

UPS.com indicates large package surcharge is in effect when length plus girth exceeds 130in (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/sri/glo_lpks.html). I can play with their cost estimator, and sure enough, when I input a 130in total dimension (46x30x12), I get a shipping estimate (SoCal to WA) of $86. When I increase that by one inch (47x30x12) the price skyrockets to $147.

But when I take it to the UPS Store, they're wanting to charge me the $147, even though they measure it at 130in (46x30x12). For yux, the UPS clerk types in 45x30x12, and voila, the computer-generated price drops to about $90.

So the stores are charging differently than advertised on the website. (And this is not a rounding issue; all the rounding occurs before computer entry, and we're just dealing with integers here)

I did the same estimation experiment on the FedEx site (but haven't tried going to a FedEx store), and I know USPS has the same 130in threshold.

Anybody else have problems with bicycle shipping cases (Trico Iron Case or others) triggering this Large-dimension thing? How much do people typically pay to ship a bike in a case like this?

steve0257
10-06-12, 05:54 AM
I'm trying to ship a Trico Iron Case (not even containing a bike! -- interstate CL sale (attempted anyways)). Published dimensions of 47 x 30.5 x 11.5 indicate they manufactured specifically to meet the 130in (length + girth) limit apparently shared between USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

If your stated dimensions are correct you don't meet the 130 inch guideline. The half inch rounds up giving 47+((31+12)*2)=133.

Having said that, you are probably better off looking for an actual UPS center instead of the UPS Store. In my experience, locally, the UPS center has been more helpful than the local UPS stores.
RubeRad
10-06-12, 08:32 AM
Well stated dimensions are not quite the point. The actual UPS store measured 46 x 30 x 12 --> 130, and the computed charge was including the large dimension. The clerk herself was very friendly and helpful, but had only the ability to enter dimensions and charge what the computer said. And not able to fudge dimensions, because "they check it with lasers, and we get in trouble if we're off"

RubeRad
10-06-12, 09:22 AM
Here's my website question/complaint:


Your website estimates 92119-->98011, 28lbs, 46x30x12 at 86.03. When
I enter 47x30x12 the estimate jumps to 147. I get it: 130in=GOOD,
131in=BAD.

I drive to TWO different UPS stores, and they measure it at 130in
(46x30x12), and the price comes back 147. When they test 129in
(45x30x12) the price drops to 90.

This discrepancy cost me hours of running around, as well as a sale
because my buyer was obviously not willing to pay 147 shipping for a
200 purchase(and you a sale as well)

and their response:


Dear Rube,

Thank you for your e-mail. The UPS Stores are independently owned and operated franchises that offer convenient shipping locations, certified packaging experts, and published UPS shipping rates. Published UPS rates are offered for both freight charges and miscellaneous charges (except for declared value).

The UPS Store locations may charge additional fees for other shipping services such as packaging and document preparation. The fees for additional services vary by location.

For further information about UPS Store shipping services (including any additional charges that may apply), please contact your local UPS Store location. To find your closest UPS Store location, please use the following link:

http://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US

Please contact us if you need any additional assistance.

It's hard to tell whether they didn't understand the question, or just didn't want to answer it, but they certainly didn't answer it!
Looigi
10-06-12, 11:44 AM
FWIW: For UPS, FedEx, USPS, I always weigh and measure myself, pay and print out the label on line, then drop the item off at a designated spot.