How do you ship for cheaper prices

[dustponds10]

Well am trying to do some trades but everyone I do ends up being more money then I would like it to be by like 40 dollars. I am looking for cheaper ways to ship so that my shipping can be at least in the $50 range. Do you make your own styro boxes or what? I know over night is the only way to go but how many of you do overnight by 3 or later? I prefer packages to get there before noon. ANy ways let me know, I ship with in bags. ALso where is the best place to buy frag bags? 2" and 3" bags? I usually buy from Kens fish or something. Dustin

 

[oceanparadise1]

Find some one with in a couple states and u cna usually do USPS express for cheap or ups ground for cheap as well. I ship in small bags with small water, i learned this from the pros! also styro boxes are pretty cheap around here.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Best place to get bags is Uline.com

 

[dustponds10]

Where do you get your styro boxes? I thing I am going to have to go the route of just cutting the styro and making it fit in the box because I cannot find a place that sells smaller styro boxes. That is how I normally ship is little bags little water unless it is a prized item then i go a little more water.

 

[dustponds10]

Ok so now the next questoin what bags to you get? I found them and am wondering best thickness and size for smaller frags

 

[AlexStinson]

any thickness is goign to be good for shipping... 2mil is like ziploc freezer bags... 4mil is almost untieable (on small bags)... Uline also has good prices on styro shipping boxes.
If you need just 1 or so you can go by your LFS they should have some in the back, offer them 5 bucks for one and they will be happy... ask for a free one and they will talk bad about you when you leave :-P
or.... a cheap thermos from walmart is acceptable for overnight

 

[JR's Reef]

I oder my bags here http://www.kensfish.com/shippingsupplie.html because I can get them in small amounts. I make my own styro boxs or use reuse one that Ive got on a trade. Use small boxs ans a small amount of water with frags is how I keep cost down. It has never cost me more than $50 anything most of the time its around $40

 

[Sikryd]

I just did a trade with Seascape and it cost me $74 for overnight by 10:30, it would have been $15 for ground, but there is no quarantee.

I use the 3mil bags.

 

[cee]

I usually ask the receipient to have it held for pickup. That saves about $10 because you can ship it standard overnight and it will still be at the facility early in the morning. USPS used to be a good option but their prices increased recently. I generally avoid UPS like the plague. Search for "flat poly bags" and your closest city and you can usually find someone local who has them. Problem is you have to buy 1000 at a time, so if you don't deal in a lot of frags, your LFS is a better bet.

Dave

 

[RBursek]

Will they make it? - Reef Sanctuaryread it and take it for what it is worth, FedX always!!!!

 

[Stray32]

Find some one with in a couple states and u cna usually do USPS express for cheap or ups ground for cheap as well. I ship in small bags with small water, i learned this from the pros! also styro boxes are pretty cheap around here.

We finally agree on something... :wink:

I always ship USPS Express and it always less than $30 coast to coast. Small bags, small styro cooler, always less than 2 lbs.

 

[seascape]

www.tbaquatics.com

i get my bags and plugs from him has good prices and you can buy 100 bags at a time and he has many different sizes.frag plugs 25 at a time and shipping is reasonable from him

 

[seascape]

oh and the trade i made with sikryd cost me about 60.00 the price we pay for this hobby i try to make it a multi frag trade they get what they want and i get what i want for the price of just shipping.

 

[tangdiver]

Held at location.....then no truck rides, less handleing, and all the stuff. The best IMO

I usually ask the receipient to have it held for pickup. That saves about $10 because you can ship it standard overnight and it will still be at the facility early in the morning. USPS used to be a good option but their prices increased recently. I generally avoid UPS like the plague. Search for "flat poly bags" and your closest city and you can usually find someone local who has them. Problem is you have to buy 1000 at a time, so if you don't deal in a lot of frags, your LFS is a better bet.

Dave

 

[JNye]

what do you do when USPS askes if you are shipping liquids? isn't this some kind of homeland security law?

 

[Stray32]

tell them its saltwater, no big deal