Actual freight charge from the carrier. For UPS, this is gotten from a UPS server as you check out, based on weight, the service you choose, and your location. It is accurate. For Priority Mail, the charges are based on tables that I put together, based on Postal Rate Tables. The postal service does not have an online server like UPS does, and postal package charges are quite complicated, so my tables have to make some assumptions. They may not match the Postal estimator at WWW.USPS.COM exactly, but they are pretty close.
We have a handling charge to cover the cost of materials (we spend hundreds on boxes and filler material, on most orders the box and filler costs nearly $1.50), and about 50 cents to pay the packer. We reduce these charges by $1 for small Priority Mail shipments, as we get the boxes for free from the Post Office. These charges are per order, not per item, as it doesn't take much more time and materials to pack two or more items than it does to pack one.
Hints:
We have a selection for "Customer Pickup". Don't choose this unless you plan on meeting us at the shop to pick your item up. Check with us first, as we don't keep regular hours at the shop. This really only makes sense if you are picking up something big and live in the area, or want to see the item first.
Priority mail is a good deal on light items, then it's fast and cheap. If you are far enough away that they have to put it on a plane to get it to you in a couple days, and it weights more than a few pounds, then Priority Mail gets expensive fast, as it is an air freight service, not ground. It is still the best, if not the only way to go, for Alaska, Hawaii, APO, FPO and US Territories however. Please note that the Post Office has a size limit. We cannot ship 19" monitors postal. Two things you should know:
- Priority Mail has no tracking service like UPS does. The best they can do is delivery confirmation.
- If the package doesn't arrive, all we can do is wait until the Post Office declares it lost and pays on the insurance. This can take 30 days! They don't lose many, but when they do, it's a pain.
UPS Ground is reliable, but the time it takes depends on the distance, as it travels by truck, train, whatever. You will find that if you live close to Chicago, there is no point to paying for UPS two day or three day service, as you will get it that fast anyway. You can verify delivery time by checking the ship time at WWW.UPS.COM from a shipping zip code of 60544 to your address. Things you should know about UPS:
- For small packages, UPS Ground costs more than Priority Mail, and may be slower, depending on where you are. For larger packages, it's pretty reasonable.
- UPS's tracking is excellent. You will be able to go online and watch your package make it's way across the country.
- Their insurance costs a lot less than the Post Office, and they pay off much quicker if they lose something, which is rare.
- UPS RED (next day) and Blue (Second Day) are faster, but keep in mind, we pack over night and ship the following day, so you must add a day for that. Also, generally UPS does not count Saturdays and Sundays, so if you ordered something Friday afternoon for next day service, they would pick it up from our shop on Monday, you should get it on Tuesday.
Lower 48 States
Alaska, Hawaii, APO and FPOYou've got all kinds of options, feel free to try them all before placing the final order, to see which way is fastest and cheapest.
United States TerritoriesI think you will find that Priority Mail makes the most sense. The system should not allow you to order UPS Ground, UPS doesn't offer it.
You will probably find your best deal is Priority Mail.