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Least Expensive Way to Ship a Frame?

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Old 12-17-09 | 11:35 PM
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Least Expensive Way to Ship a Frame?

I recently sold my frameset to a guy who lives in Puerto Rico. What does it cost to ship a 12.3 lb. package to Puerto Rico? $160 by UPS. $108 by USPS parcel post.

The guy's father lives in Washington state. What does it cost to ship a 12.3 lb. package to Washington? $63 by UPS Ground. $118 by USPS parcel post.

In both cases, the "balloon" rate kills us.

Even though the buyer agreed to pay the shipping, that seems awfully expensive to me. Is there a cheaper way?
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Old 12-17-09 | 11:39 PM
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I think the size of the box matters too ... If you're using a regular bike box, maybe you can cut it down to be in the next lower price range.

Also, I don't trust the online calculators. Take it to the post office for a real estimate before your final packing & taping, and ask about different options.
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Old 12-17-09 | 11:42 PM
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FedEx. FedEx is always your best value. And they don't advertise with a dude in a woman's wig.
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Old 12-17-09 | 11:47 PM
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Cut it up into small pieces
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Old 12-18-09 | 12:12 AM
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Fedex Ground is, by far, the cheapest.
With all carrier the size of the box is the most important factor in the price calculation.
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Old 12-18-09 | 12:29 AM
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fedex can charge the recipient a ton of brokerage money... what's it like, up to 50~75% of the value of the item? I'm unsure, but fedex and ups can really screw over the recipient with brokerage.

unfortunately, the problem with shipping to Puerto Rico is that it has to cross the sea, which really adds to the cost because it must be flown or shipped.
Try shipping it to Hawaii, same deal.

$108 for USPS is your best option by far.
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Old 12-18-09 | 01:15 AM
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You ain't sending no frame to Washington. I want that delivered right here to me.

And to think then I have to figure out a way to carry the whole bike to my parents house on vacations....................
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Old 12-18-09 | 06:02 AM
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Cut the box down to the frame size. Still rectangle, but height and width close to the size of the frame. I sent a road frame from OH to TX via FedEx for less than $30. UPS was at least double that.
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Old 12-18-09 | 06:14 AM
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Did a FedEx Ground quote. To Puerto Rico, it has to go FedEx International Economy - $192.

Bummer. The U.S. domestic rules just don't apply.
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Old 12-18-09 | 06:18 AM
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Also note that bike boxes are often within 1/2" of the oversized increased with UPS. My guess is the dimension for this actually came from negotiations with bike manufacturers. If you've taken a bike box to a UPS customer counter, always make sure they input to the 1/2" and not round up. But also make sure your box isn't poorly packed and bulging.
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Old 12-18-09 | 06:23 AM
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Originally Posted by cslone
Cut the box down to the frame size. Still rectangle, but height and width close to the size of the frame. I sent a road frame from OH to TX via FedEx for less than $30. UPS was at least double that.
Good call! I can cut 5" out of the box without much problem. The difference? $32.92 vs. $107.32 on USPS. Thanks!
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Old 12-18-09 | 07:37 AM
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You want to make the boxes as small as possible. 1" can mean an extra $50-$75.

USPS is the cheapest for sending anything overseas. But be careful, there are size limits with USPS.
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Old 12-18-09 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by FlashBazbo
Good call! I can cut 5" out of the box without much problem. The difference? $32.92 vs. $107.32 on USPS. Thanks!
Good job. If you got that price with the online calculator, print a copy to take with you to the post office, lest they attempt to put the screws to you.
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