When buying from forum members here I will often offer to create my own prepaid label and email it to them to affix to their package. This can be a hassle-free inducement to give me a good price. They don't have to figure the cost or pay for the shipping out of pocket.
That way you can shop the different companies and I have complete control over the selection of the service.
Guys many trains can be shipped for a lower price if you use FREE USPS Priority mail boxes. They have medium and large size.
Bob
BK posted:Guys many trains can be shipped for a lower price if you use FREE USPS Priority mail boxes. They have medium and large size.
Bob
I usually use flat rate boxes when I ship. Approx 3 months ago I shipped a clutch pack w/all the clutch plates for an early Harley shovelhead in a med flat rate box for $13.65 if I didn't use the flat rate box it would've cost $74.00 .
John, speaking of shipping costs, that JP board was $8.45 to mail using the Priority Mail Tyvek envelope. It only weighed 13oz total. I suppose if I had taken time to have found a decent small box it might have cheaper. The board measures roughly 16”x1.25”x.75”. Sort of an odd an shape with capacitors at the one end giving it that 3/4s of an inch height.
Larry
PSAP2010 posted:John, speaking of shipping costs, that JP board was $8.45 to mail using the Priority Mail Tyvek envelope. It only weighed 13oz total. I suppose if I had taken time to have found a decent small box it might have cheaper. The board measures roughly 16”x1.25”x.75”. Sort of an odd an shape with capacitors at the one end giving it that 3/4s of an inch height.
Larry
That is double what it would have cost to ship as a First Class Parcel. I shipped a 13 oz. parcel today for $4.10. Those rates apply to any packge of reasonable dimensions that is 13 oz. or less. It's 2.66 for 8 oz.
Those are rates I get for eBay sales using Paypal
PSAP2010 posted:John, speaking of shipping costs, that JP board was $8.45 to mail using the Priority Mail Tyvek envelope. It only weighed 13oz total. I suppose if I had taken time to have found a decent small box it might have cheaper. The board measures roughly 16”x1.25”x.75”. Sort of an odd an shape with capacitors at the one end giving it that 3/4s of an inch height.
Larry
I mail 13 oz packages for around $4, First Class Mail. AAMOF, you can ship that 13 oz with $100 insurance for a little over $6.
Shipping coast to coast is really not affordable any longer.
With the flat-rate boxes, can you just walk into the post office and take some home to use later? That's my only problem with them. I don't want to have to bring my item to the post office only to have to package it there.
towdog posted:With the flat-rate boxes, can you just walk into the post office and take some home to use later? That's my only problem with them. I don't want to have to bring my item to the post office only to have to package it there.
usps will send you a variety pack of flat rate boxes to your door......at no charge
john what does AAMOF mean ?
As A Matter of Fact
Alan Mancus posted:john what does AAMOF mean ?
As A Matter Of Fact.
As someone who lives on the Canada/US border, I can attest there is a HUGE variation between shipping in both countries. Maybe not to extent of $700.00, but none the less it's ridiculous. Most of the "charges" for cross border shipping actually are from all of the brokerage/customs "fees", not necessarily from the shipping. That's why it's such a joke to try and buy anything in Canada. I remember once looking at a locomotive on eBay and I used my zip code to calculate the shipping. It was around 20 dollars. I then changed it to Canada for the heck of it and it jumped to almost 200 dollars!! That 20-30 dollar shipping cost doesn't look too bad after that.
Rob
In a response on the OGF to a question about MTH 30-1433-1, "Coors Silver Bullet train," you wrote: "Before it runs again, it gets a TVS across the pickups and a new supercap battery substitute."
What are a "TVS" and a "supercap battery?"
On the original topic: shipping.
I am so old I can remember when shippng was just part of doing business: of course that was prior to the outrageous shipping cost.
Syd Dann
Size is what makes the difference. I just shipped a package of two lbs. to California via PRIORTY Mail for $12.65. From the east coast. Even cheaper then flat rate. They were ho passenger cars and is delivered faster than either fedex ground or ups who would of charged $24 and $28 respectively.
The bigger the pkg the price goes up allot, when I ship to the west coast I find that fedex ground can be the cheapest but still expensive.
Dave
My opinion for what it's worth. Not addressing each posters individual situation, I can say Byrdie's response as it pertains to the truck driver issue is right on. Having retired from 20 plus years of trucking I am familiar with the rapidly increasing "shortage" of qualified over the road truckers. Possibly the only time we consumers think about trucks is when they are in our **** way. If you got it; chances are a truck brought it, some where along the line. The demand for trucking services along with the prospering economy is one LARGE reason why we are seeing higher shipping cost. By the way for what it's worth. The average OTR truck driver is still making close to wages being paid in 1980, it's not like the driver is making a big windfall here. Just wanted to give a little shoutout to the American/Canadian trucker here; the HEARTBEAT of AMERICA!
Thanks for your time
When I have purchased on eBay the shipping cost is stated up front. IIRC it has been about $10 on an engine even less on rolling stock. More than $10 on any engine is IMO too high a cost.
Those foreign shipping costs must be a misprint they are completely wrong.
Everything I buy in the way of Rolling stock, locos, and most books come from America.
If I buy an Atlas locomotive it usually costs about $80 shipping. some I have bought for $70 shipping One piece of rolling stock costs about 30-40 dollars shipping I'm talking about the last year not 20 years ago! and yes sometimes the shipping is probably worth more than the items but I don't sit down and have a cry I keep buying I have a passion for USA O scale trains.
I expect my items to take no more than 2 weeks from America to West Australia and most do, so I don't pay massive same day shipping costs just above normal shipping.
There are some sellers that do refund me for shipping charges when I have paid to much, I like that they get return business, some hobby shops give you the choice of Shipping costs.
If a seller or a hobby shop can't tell you the price before you pay don't buy it unless you have dealt with them before otherwise the skies the limit you could get charged almost anything, think of a number!
I could tell you the good hobby shops and sellers that are honest/ have the knowledge and want your business but I won't for two reasons.
1. Its likely to be erased from the thread.
2. It's about international shipping costs, entirely different to American domestic shipping costs.
So I'm happy days you blokes have the choice, support your shows and pay no shipping.
Roo. In West Australia.
Our parts shipping under 1# is normally $4.50 - $5.00 if fitted into a bubble pack envelope or 2" x 4" x 6" small box. Paint has to ship ground at about $7.00, $1 more for every extra can. This price includes taking the order, printing the label , receipt for buyer and 1 for us, and delivery to P.O.. NO minimum order.
I think we are missing the boat on making money according to some of the replies listed here. I thought shipping our orders out of country was expensive ( $20 - $30 ) for parts. My most expensive was $128.00 shipping a $600.00 loco to Italy. My 2c's worth Harry 
thanks John for the answer
I have worked for or owned companies that ship all over the world since 1962. Most companies seem to be pretty fair about their shipping charges while a few make shipping another profit center in their business model. I say to anyone rather than pointing fingers at companies familiarize your self with USPS rates and the availability of the free flat rate boxes and free Priority Mail boxes. Most trains can go in these with the exception of items over 20 LBS. going from coast to coast. Many small parts can go in padded envelopes available from WallyMart, Staples or Uline for very little money and can ship for less than $3 plus envelope coast to coast. Don't begrudge a shipper for adding $.25 for the cost of tape and $.75 for a padded envelope. Labels can be printed free and postal pick up is at no extra charge. So when a hobby shop charges $3.50 to ship a small $4.00 part it's fair; When a similar shop charges $9.00 to do the same -- well you decide.
International shipping from the U.S and from other countries is another story. A few months ago i ordered a shirt from a store in Toronto, CA to be shipped to upstate NY. $10.00 shipping in a padded envelope and it arrived in 4 days. Needed to return it as it didn't fit -- $16.00 postage in the same padded envelope and 2+ weeks shipping time. Two summers ago i ordered a hat from Australia; it came in about 2 1/2 weeks in a nice box for only $23.00 shipping.
So do a little homework.
modeltrainsparts posted:I have worked for or owned companies that ship all over the world since 1962. Most companies seem to be pretty fair about their shipping charges while a few make shipping another profit center in their business model. I say to anyone rather than pointing fingers at companies familiarize your self with USPS rates and the availability of the free flat rate boxes and free Priority Mail boxes. Most trains can go in these with the exception of items over 20 LBS. going from coast to coast. Many small parts can go in padded envelopes available from WallyMart, Staples or Uline for very little money and can ship for less than $3 plus envelope coast to coast. Don't begrudge a shipper for adding $.25 for the cost of tape and $.75 for a padded envelope. Labels can be printed free and postal pick up is at no extra charge. So when a hobby shop charges $3.50 to ship a small $4.00 part it's fair; When a similar shop charges $9.00 to do the same -- well you decide.
International shipping from the U.S and from other countries is another story. A few months ago i ordered a shirt from a store in Toronto, CA to be shipped to upstate NY. $10.00 shipping in a padded envelope and it arrived in 4 days. Needed to return it as it didn't fit -- $16.00 postage in the same padded envelope and 2+ weeks shipping time. Two summers ago i ordered a hat from Australia; it came in about 2 1/2 weeks in a nice box for only $23.00 shipping.
So do a little homework.
Jackson makes a good point. Shipping is buying a product. When you buy something, you do research to get the best price. Same with shipping. You've got to take time to do the research. So do do your homework.
It's Monday morning in West Australia.
About 5 minutes ago a parcel arrived from America it was an Atlas Caboose that I bought from a hobby shop it took 15 days to get here and was well packed no damage.
These are the costs in American dollars.
caboose 44-76
Shipping 37-29
Aust Tax 12-75
Total 95-60 (Australian $130-70)
I can save on shipping if I buy multiple items this time I only wanted one item. I live with it or go without.
Roo.
Roo posted:It's Monday morning in West Australia.
About 5 minutes ago a parcel arrived from America it was an Atlas Caboose that I bought from a hobby shop it took 15 days to get here and was well packed no damage.
These are the costs in American dollars.
caboose 44-76
Shipping 37-29
Aust Tax 12-75
Total 95-60 (Australian $130-70)
I can save on shipping if I buy multiple items this time I only wanted one item. I live with it or go without.
Roo.
Roo, Shipping from the US to other countries is very high while from other countries to the US is quite reasonable as i tried to indicate in my post. My Akruba hat from Australian Gear was only $23.00 (AUS).
Harry Henning posted:Our parts shipping under 1# is normally $4.50 - $5.00 if fitted into a bubble pack envelope or 2" x 4" x 6" small box. Paint has to ship ground at about $7.00, $1 more for every extra can. This price includes taking the order, printing the label , receipt for buyer and 1 for us, and delivery to P.O.. NO minimum order.
I think we are missing the boat on making money according to some of the replies listed here. I thought shipping our orders out of country was expensive ( $20 - $30 ) for parts. My most expensive was $128.00 shipping a $600.00 loco to Italy. My 2c's worth Harry
Hi Harry.
On your Ebay listings it says "Shipping USA only" and "May not ship to Australia"
So you ship to Australia or don't you? Roo.
modeltrainsparts posted:Roo posted:It's Monday morning in West Australia.
About 5 minutes ago a parcel arrived from America it was an Atlas Caboose that I bought from a hobby shop it took 15 days to get here and was well packed no damage.
These are the costs in American dollars.
caboose 44-76
Shipping 37-29
Aust Tax 12-75
Total 95-60 (Australian $130-70)
I can save on shipping if I buy multiple items this time I only wanted one item. I live with it or go without.
Roo.
Roo, Shipping from the US to other countries is very high while from other countries to the US is quite reasonable as i tried to indicate in my post. My Akruba hat from Australian Gear was only $23.00 (AUS).
Good choice of a hat mate! Ha Ha. Glad the shipping was reasonable.
There is someone on the internet selling under the name MODELTRAINSPARTS is that you by any chance?
Roo.
Roo, On the internet i'm listed as 43jackson; have been mostly clearing out my stash of pre `55 MG parts altho i have one train listed (a couple of KLine cars, baggage and combine - not full scale). I love the hat, especially the wide brim; keeps the snow off in the winter and the sun off in the summer.
Roo,
We have actually shipped to :Russia, China, European countries and South America. We prefer not to due to cost to customer etc. ,but will do. We only charge actual cost rounded out to nearest dollar, and yet some customers will gripe that they are being overcharged. It is just simpler to say "U.S.A." only. We ship 50-75 parts orders a day here in the states. One order to the UK has been going on & off for the last 4 months. Stephanie has probably put in 2 hours or more already thru e-mails, pulling parts and changing out quantity of parts etc. Still no firm order. Returns are too expensive. Harry
gunrunnerjohn posted:I'd like to hear the reasoning for this.
I happened to be looking at something on Trainz, and I noticed their shipping charges! YIKES, it costs more than a couple of Legacy diesels to ship one unit!
I have to believe there's a story here.
Wonder what they are shipping for those amounts??? Over seas is really high but not $700 high unless they are shipping a set. Shipping is a huge problem. Buyers many times don't understand as they don't ship, and think you can toss an item in a box and its a few bucks to ship it out. No so, the cheapest US shipping for a local address is just under $7. If the same package has to go across the country you can at least double that or more. I can get and hoard packing materials easily. I go to my warehouse store and they always have a ton of free boxes and used news paper is also free. My only real cost is for packing tape, and bubble wrap. Outfits like Trainz buy everything then want to recoup that cost plus postage. They also cannot tell ahead of time where the buyer will be located so they charge the highest rate and make sure they are covered. This is a two edged sword. Buyers look at those higher costs and move on thinking they are crooks.
TIN
Interesting datum:
I was recently looking on THAT Auction Site (non-train items) and ran across two Buy It Now auctions (yeah, I know: contradiction in terms) for the same product.
One had a BIN price of $70 with S&H of $72; the other had a BIN price of $146 w/ FREE Shipping.
Ahem.
Paying the HIGH shipping amount actually saves the buyer $4.
I don't know who's laughing louder, Ben Franklin or P. T. Barnum.
Harry,
the UK order is mine, I am still waiting for a question I asked about some O gauge wheels to restore a Flyer pre war Hiawatha electric set I have, the cheap set. I need wheels that fit the passenger cars, do you have these? I sent some photo’s to help.
You answered the query about the small leading/trailing wheels for me.
I don’t think I missed any response about these, but not sure.
Harry Henning posted:Roo,
We have actually shipped to :Russia, China, European countries and South America. We prefer not to due to cost to customer etc. ,but will do. We only charge actual cost rounded out to nearest dollar, and yet some customers will gripe that they are being overcharged. It is just simpler to say "U.S.A." only. We ship 50-75 parts orders a day here in the states. One order to the UK has been going on & off for the last 4 months. Stephanie has probably put in 2 hours or more already thru e-mails, pulling parts and changing out quantity of parts etc. Still no firm order. Returns are too expensive. Harry
Harry you would love me for a customer because in over 1000 transactions over the years I have never had a major problem. I am careful when I order something if I make the mistake I live with it I never return anything but I am not stupid I am careful and do lots of research because there is no O scale where I live so I have to depend on my research and the honesty of the seller most hobby shops want your business so they provide good service and look after you the same as I did when I was in business (Not a hobby shop!).
You had something I really wanted once, now after reading your reply I am kicking myself for not looking into it further. Next time!
Thanks for your reply. Roo (AKA Neville Rossiter)
Roo posted:Harry Henning posted:Roo,
We have actually shipped to :Russia, China, European countries and South America. We prefer not to due to cost to customer etc. ,but will do. We only charge actual cost rounded out to nearest dollar, and yet some customers will gripe that they are being overcharged. It is just simpler to say "U.S.A." only. We ship 50-75 parts orders a day here in the states. One order to the UK has been going on & off for the last 4 months. Stephanie has probably put in 2 hours or more already thru e-mails, pulling parts and changing out quantity of parts etc. Still no firm order. Returns are too expensive. Harry
Harry you would love me for a customer because in over 1000 transactions over the years I have never had a major problem. I am careful when I order something if I make the mistake I live with it I never return anything but I am not stupid I am careful and do lots of research because there is no O scale where I live so I have to depend on my research and the honesty of the seller most hobby shops want your business so they provide good service and look after you the same as I did when I was in business (Not a hobby shop!).
You had something I really wanted once, now after reading your reply I am kicking myself for not looking into it further. Next time!
Thanks for your reply. Roo (AKA Neville Rossiter)
Interested in whare you are. Given that you call yourself Roo, I'd guess Australia.
Roo,
I would appreciate ALL of your business. You to, my friend Neil in the UK. Several years ago we had some sizable loss's shipping to the African countries to customers claiming they had not received merchandise and / or required shipping thru their own shipping contacts. You learn a lot after a few losses about how ,who, and where to ship confidently. It is very frustrating when losses occur. That is the main reason we just marked "SHIP IN U.S.A. only. Harry
modeltrainsparts posted:I have worked for or owned companies that ship all over the world since 1962. Most companies seem to be pretty fair about their shipping charges while a few make shipping another profit center in their business model. I say to anyone rather than pointing fingers at companies familiarize your self with USPS rates and the availability of the free flat rate boxes and free Priority Mail boxes. Most trains can go in these with the exception of items over 20 LBS. going from coast to coast. Many small parts can go in padded envelopes available from WallyMart, Staples or Uline for very little money and can ship for less than $3 plus envelope coast to coast. Don't begrudge a shipper for adding $.25 for the cost of tape and $.75 for a padded envelope. Labels can be printed free and postal pick up is at no extra charge. So when a hobby shop charges $3.50 to ship a small $4.00 part it's fair; When a similar shop charges $9.00 to do the same -- well you decide.
International shipping from the U.S and from other countries is another story. A few months ago i ordered a shirt from a store in Toronto, CA to be shipped to upstate NY. $10.00 shipping in a padded envelope and it arrived in 4 days. Needed to return it as it didn't fit -- $16.00 postage in the same padded envelope and 2+ weeks shipping time. Two summers ago i ordered a hat from Australia; it came in about 2 1/2 weeks in a nice box for only $23.00 shipping.
So do a little homework.
Unfortunately longer cars do not fit in flat rate boxes. I want at least a once around wrap of bubble wrap and it’s too much for any of the flat rate boxes. The more it weighs and the higher the amount you insure the package, the more it will cost. Even with eBay’s discount, it is expensive.
The concern about cost of insuring a package makes me wonder. How many frequent shippers have had enough loss to make insurance worth the cost. I've shipped 2-300 toy train items per year for about four years and never bought insurance. The only loss I've had was a plastic station roof that was broken because I goofed on the packing. Even if I had lost one of the several $300 locomotives that I've shiped and a few of the cheaper items, I'd still be way ahead with the money saved from not insuring.
One very inexpensive way of shipping that most of you are probably not aware of is Fastenall. Yes, Fastenall, the fastener distributor. Many communities have Fastenall distributors nearby. If you are shipping something very heavy and/or very large and you are willing to wait up to two weeks their prices beat UPS. Your parcel will go from the local Fastenal facility to the regional one and then on to the local one nearest the addressee who will then be notified to come pick it up. I often use this for heavy parcels going coast to coast.
Mike, for longer cars the best USPS can do are 23" x 11" x 3" Priority Mail boxes which are free. But then you can only please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time.
Actually, for longer cars, I simply take two of the shoebox sized Priority boxes and graft them together. The problem with the gameboard box you describe is it doesn't provide sufficient protection for the cars from side impacts.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Actually, for longer cars, I simply take two of the shoebox sized Priority boxes and graft them together. The problem with the gameboard box you describe is it doesn't provide sufficient protection for the cars from side impacts.
John, you're right; the gameboard box doesn't provide enough protection (except for track pieces).. I too graft the shoe box sized Priority boxes together.
You guys were successful joining two flat rate boxes together? I thought about trying that but figured usps would say no. If that works I’ll try it next time.
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