Cheap shipping for wheels?
12-18-08, 08:19 PM
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Cheap shipping for wheels?
Is there any? I save a little money by going to UPS but I have to drive quite a ways to get there.
Who do you guys use?
Who do you guys use?
12-18-08, 08:33 PM
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Last wheel set I shipped was under $23 via Fedex ground, shipped to a business address halfway across the country.
Open an online account and drop off at Kinko's, they're everwhere.
It's cheaper to open an account, whether FDX or UPS, print the label and drop off. You can also just hand the package to a driver, no extra charge.
Open an online account and drop off at Kinko's, they're everwhere.
It's cheaper to open an account, whether FDX or UPS, print the label and drop off. You can also just hand the package to a driver, no extra charge.
12-18-08, 08:38 PM
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USPS isn't bad for a single wheel. Putting two together presents a challenge in finding the best combination of small size and not damaging the wheels.
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12-18-08, 08:58 PM
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Last wheel set I shipped was under $23 via Fedex ground, shipped to a business address halfway across the country.
Open an online account and drop off at Kinko's, they're everwhere.
It's cheaper to open an account, whether FDX or UPS, print the label and drop off. You can also just hand the package to a driver, no extra charge.
Open an online account and drop off at Kinko's, they're everwhere.
It's cheaper to open an account, whether FDX or UPS, print the label and drop off. You can also just hand the package to a driver, no extra charge.
I haven't shipped wheels, but have shipped a frameset and complete 24" junior racer. Each time I compared shipping costs between USPS, UPS, and FedEx, FedEx has always been cheaper and quicker.
I have also read on another forum that others' experience with FedEx has been more positive than with UPS in terms of not having damaged goods arrive at the other end.
stan
Last edited by retrofit; 12-18-08 at 09:23 PM.
12-18-08, 09:03 PM
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+ another 1 on the FedEx account.
When I ship wheels I get a wheel set box from behind the local LBS. I feel pretty safe shipping them that way, though it isn't particularly cheap.
When I ship wheels I get a wheel set box from behind the local LBS. I feel pretty safe shipping them that way, though it isn't particularly cheap.
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12-18-08, 09:08 PM
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You Know!? For Kids!
I have never shipped wheels, and use both UPS and FedEx. FedEx is probably a bit gentler. The Kinkos drop off is nice and try to ship to a business address if you can to avoid residential delivery charges.
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12-18-08, 09:17 PM
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I should mention, that I am a retired UPS driver, but use Fedex most of the time. That being said, Fedex did damage a frame I sent to myself, but I still feel my chances are better with Fedex than with UPS.
I guess it's similar to working in a restaurant, no matter how good it is, you can't bring yourself to eat there once you've seen the kitchen.
I guess it's similar to working in a restaurant, no matter how good it is, you can't bring yourself to eat there once you've seen the kitchen.
12-18-08, 09:39 PM
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Last wheel set I shipped was under $23 via Fedex ground, shipped to a business address halfway across the country.
Open an online account and drop off at Kinko's, they're everwhere.
It's cheaper to open an account, whether FDX or UPS, print the label and drop off. You can also just hand the package to a driver, no extra charge.
Open an online account and drop off at Kinko's, they're everwhere.
It's cheaper to open an account, whether FDX or UPS, print the label and drop off. You can also just hand the package to a driver, no extra charge.
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Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
12-18-08, 09:52 PM
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I delivered in a rural area, and believe me, the locals knew where to find me. Made it hard for a guy to catch a nap
12-18-08, 09:57 PM
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Too bad DHL is gone. They were cheap and good. I sent some 26" alloy wheels with drum hubs on the front and rear. Boise to Iowa= 16 bucks.
12-18-08, 10:05 PM
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Last set I sent was 26.55 via USPS Priority Mail. I see them on the ISO/WTB for trade thread now. The size of the box matters, but Priority Mail is cheaper than Parcel Post once a box gets a certain size.
And I'm with OFG on knowing your dellivery driver. I've had mine drop stuff off at a local business for me several times, and I just went there to pick it up. Of course, it helped to have served with him in the Middle East in 1982-83...
And I'm with OFG on knowing your dellivery driver. I've had mine drop stuff off at a local business for me several times, and I just went there to pick it up. Of course, it helped to have served with him in the Middle East in 1982-83...
12-19-08, 08:37 AM
#12
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I should mention, that I am a retired UPS driver, but use Fedex most of the time. That being said, Fedex did damage a frame I sent to myself, but I still feel my chances are better with Fedex than with UPS.
I guess it's similar to working in a restaurant, no matter how good it is, you can't bring yourself to eat there once you've seen the kitchen.
I guess it's similar to working in a restaurant, no matter how good it is, you can't bring yourself to eat there once you've seen the kitchen.
12-19-08, 08:45 AM
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I spent 21 years as damage control clerk at UPS many years ago. They push the sorters and loaders so hard to go fast it's a wonder more parcels aren't damaged. I've seen car washers run over parcels in the aisle trying to get them to the car wash. They crush them and just keep going. It's amazing.
12-19-08, 11:07 AM
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I had a guy ship me a bike last spring that on Greyhound. It was super cheap... like under $50. The shipper did not know how to pack a bike properly and the box it came in was just this side of coffin size. I think you have to drop-off and pick-up at the stations. And not everyone want to visit the greyhound station, but the prices can't be beat.
https://www.shipgreyhound.com/
https://www.shipgreyhound.com/
12-19-08, 01:15 PM
#15
Death fork? Naaaah!!
On the other hand, my workplace is a challenging 37 miles from the farm, especially this time of year
I'm sick of winter driving all ready and winter doesn't start for another day and a half.
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(north of Rt 2)
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12-19-08, 05:07 PM
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I had a guy ship me a bike last spring that on Greyhound. It was super cheap... like under $50. The shipper did not know how to pack a bike properly and the box it came in was just this side of coffin size. I think you have to drop-off and pick-up at the stations. And not everyone want to visit the greyhound station, but the prices can't be beat.
https://www.shipgreyhound.com/
https://www.shipgreyhound.com/
12-19-08, 11:19 PM
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Well thanks for the input. Yup, UPS is a bit of a hike from here, the Post Office is just around the corner.
It's just that I got this basement full of $10 wheels from bikes I've parted out and when I put them on Ebay with $25 shipping I feel like I owe the guy $15. Then since the LBS hasn't had any wheel shipments since August, I spend a half an hour making boxes out of old refridgerator boxes and the Post Office lady rolls her eyes at me for bringing in ANOTHER oversized homemade box.
I should get the Fedex account though, just for general purposes.
It's just that I got this basement full of $10 wheels from bikes I've parted out and when I put them on Ebay with $25 shipping I feel like I owe the guy $15. Then since the LBS hasn't had any wheel shipments since August, I spend a half an hour making boxes out of old refridgerator boxes and the Post Office lady rolls her eyes at me for bringing in ANOTHER oversized homemade box.
I should get the Fedex account though, just for general purposes.
