What's the cheapest way to ship heavy stuff?

I scored some steps for my dad's F150 and need to ship them to Alabama... I stopped by one of those UPS stores and they wanted a shitload. I don't want to spend more on shipping than the steps are worth!

 

I've been using Greyhound. Cheap, fast enough, and everything has gotten there in one piece...so far.

 

how heavy ? greyhound is good and cheap terminal to terminal .depending on how heavy they are try parcel post uspo .

 

I've had really good luck with Greyhound. But if UPS is your thing, always take it to the counter at the terminal. It's about half as much as one of those damn stores...

 

F the UPS store! Don't go there.
If it will fit in a box shipping standard UPS ground is a good way to go. They raised the max weight and they'll take some pretty heavy stuff.

 

Bus is the way to go,cheap......

 

The UPS Stores add about 20 to 25 precent to the UPS shipping charge to cover "overhead and profit". Go to a real UPS terminal or FedEx terminal and check their rates, or use their online rate calcuators:


http://wwwapps.ups.com/QCCWebApp/request?loc=en_US


http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home?cc=US&language=en

 

Greyhoundexpress has an online rate calculator too:


http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

 

Any local Bus terminal. I shipped a 32 COWL, a freakin cowl!!!! By bus to Fresno for $47!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Never use the UPS store..I have an account with UPS..But you dont need that..all you do is go online with UPS and follow the steps on shipping.You can print the label and pay for it,and schedule a pick up online with a credit card and they will come to you and pick it up.Or just pay for it online and drop it off there or anywhere who uses UPS.

 

Thanks, I'll try the bus first.

 

Gracie- I use the Pacel Post thru Post office-sometimes ya jus wrap a peice O paper big enough for a lable around it and ship it.Priority is about three times as high...usually 4-6 daysParcel Post and sometimes but not always 3 days priority

 

I've used the bus for large things (doors, hoods, fenders, etc.). shipping was fast, parts arrived with no damage, cost was reasonable.

Frank

 

FedEx GROUND is the best way to ship a 5 pound or larger package coast to coast. SCREW UPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just go to their websites and see how much you'll save! FedEx also has friendly human beings working there.

 

Greyhound is the only way to fly. 3 days from here to texas. over half the price of UPS and much faster.. the other alt is the US mail. UPS has priced them selves out of shipping as i see it.

 

I use most of the major carriers at work...I just shipped a steering gear thru Greyhound that weighed 85 pounds to go to Watertown SD...forty six bucks...not too bad
Sometimes, using a local carrier is cheaper ifn it is not going too far.
Hope I am helping

 

I don't know how much it weighs yet... a lot by my girlie noodle arm standards tho'...

 

Gracie , you can either use a bathroom scale or hual it down to the post office .Every us post office and a scale in its lobby free to use .Like others have said these mailing places have a mark-up of 15-40% , i have seen some even mark-up regular postage stamps .Parcel post ,depending of weight will prob be your cheapest .Another way would be to call the frieght companies in and around the airport ,tell them the weight and size of the box and shop around if you have the time . If not USPO or greyhound it . GOOD LUCK .

 

"or hual it down to the post office .Every us post office and a scale in its lobby free to use"
ha ha thats funny.i wish ours had a nice big area where you could just big packages in to use a free scale.you should see our dump. the scale is about the size of a bathroom one on the counter.ups isnt that bad unless its too long.
eric

 

You could also try getting a quote from a trucking company, like Yellow. It also gets cheaper if it's on a pallet.