Why don't we ship more from First Class Mail?

Macchina

Macchina

Feedback: +91 / =0 / -0
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
5,213
With the recent price hikes on Priority Mail ($6.80 for Small Flat Rate Box up from $5.70) I'm surprise we don't see a lot more shipping of the cheaper deals now with First Class Mail.
You automatically get a tracking number with First Class now and a padded envelope or small box usually costs about $3 to ship. Shipping time is usually an additional day over Priority. With the amount of people willing to ask for $1.50 on Paypal fees, I surprised we don't see more members taking the thrifty route on shipping.

I just purchased a knife off the exchange for $30. The seller was graciously offering Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping. Shipping will account for almost 1/4 of the cost of the knife I bought.

I remember saving receipts from shipping knives and other items a few years back and after more than a 100 shipments in a year I had spent more than $600 in shipping costs alone. If every one of those shipments was made with First Class Mail I would have had enough money left over to buy a used Sebenza! That was a pretty heavy year (mostly trades and I made a lot of custom goods that year).

I'm not saying send your next Hinderer via First Class but an inexpensive lightweight slipjoint should have no problem. I will be stating I'm using First Class Mail on cheaper sales and encourage it on sellers to me. Added costs like this drive up overall costs of the hobby and we should be able to wait that extra day...

Am I missing something?
 
All I can say is you guys are really fortunate to have those flat rate boxes the best rate for a tracked packet in Canada is $12 and that could be just going across the street. Further there is no flat rate longer distances cost more. I once sent out two knives one to California and on to British Columbia and the one going to California cost less. The cheapest option is a non-tracked packet to the US which costs about $9 Canadian. I often list cheaper items for sale with the qualification no tracking because it can cost more than the knife itself.
 
I find it doesn't really matter how much the item is worth, my childish need for NOW, NOW, NOW takes over. Lol
 
My only issue with First Class is the padded envelopes result in crushed boxes which hurts if I ever try to resell something. I always prefer boxes but that adds weight and I think First Class has a 13 ounce limit if I remember correctly.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
 
I am sure a lot has to do with force of habit. Certainly them(USPS) adding tracking to 1st class does make it a viable option for some shipments if you already own a box of the right size. If you don't have the box, buying one is time and money and the priority box is free and easy.
 
I have always shipped first class mail, I buy crush resistant boxes from Uline for around 30 cents each and first class does not add shipping time, it is handled the same way as priority. Saves me thousands of dollars per year, my customers still get their knives normally in three days and my boxes are stronger than USPS flat rate boxes. No Brainer for me.
 
Macchina said:
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Priority comes with $50 insurance. That would add around $2 to your estimated price (don't know the exact amount without looking it up). It also comes with a free box. Not a big deal but it is convenient. If you didn't have packaging handy and bought packaging at the post office, there would be very little difference in price after adding the cost of the packaging and $50 insurance. You save money by using your own packaging and forgoing the insurance. But if the package were lost and uninsured, it may become even more expensive.
 
Flat rate priority does offer convenience (packaging, weight, label printing), making it an attractive option. As for me, I try to do first class as much as I can - have a box of padded envelopes, print labels from paypal, and add insurance when required. Has certainly saved me quiet a lot of $$ over the last few years.
 
Last edited:
As a buyer in Europe, I very much appreciate the use of First Class from the US with padded envelopes. It is not only a good deal cheaper than USPS boxes (a small slip joint is tiny in there...) but they ALWAYS arrive here far faster! Once got one in 3 days to Scandinavia, impressive. Boxes can take 2 weeks...

Despite your recent price increases, we are always ahead of you...:mad::barf: what costs say 14 USD from the US will cost me in Euro the equivalent of 20 USD maybe more, to send to the States.
 
supratentorial said:
Priority comes with $50 insurance. That would add around $2 to your estimated price (don't know the exact amount without looking it up). It also comes with a free box. Not a big deal but it is convenient. If you didn't have packaging handy and bought packaging at the post office, there would be very little difference in price after adding the cost of the packaging and $50 insurance. You save money by using your own packaging and forgoing the insurance. But if the package were lost and uninsured, it may become even more expensive.
Click to expand...

This is my exact reasons! Insurance/sturdy box/Quick are worth the extra couple bucks. Last box I shipped was a little bigger than usual and the priority/first class was exactly the same price. That was the first time that happened.
Bruce
 
Heirphoto said:
My only issue with First Class is the padded envelopes result in crushed boxes which hurts if I ever try to resell something. I always prefer boxes but that adds weight and I think First Class has a 13 ounce limit if I remember correctly.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I agree with the OP BUT I concede that Heirphoto's point above prevails in my shipping and receiving. I only use 1st class on inexpensive knives being shipped close to home - no cross country stuff. $ 6.80 is still pretty cheap - yes the extra $ 2.00 or $ 3.00 adds up over 100 shipped knives but for more casual selling the flat rate is easy and worry free AND insured - worth the extra few bucks.
 
The free boxes and insurance clinches it for me as well as an online discount if you print l labels from hone rather than drive to the PO to mail things.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
 
Heirphoto said:
The free boxes and insurance clinches it for me as well as an online discount if you print l labels from hone rather than drive to the PO to mail things.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

This. Plus, the less time it spends in USPS' hands, the more peace of mind I have.
 
I ship priority, in boxes, and with signature confirmation on most sharps that I ship. I add insurance on most of the packages as well. I just sleep better at night and the added cost is piece of mind!
 
Last edited:
Where I live, Priority Mail shipments go through 1 of 3 postal sort facilites. First class goes through a different one and they are in no hurry to move things along and I swear they must drop every box on the floor and stomp on it a few times before sending it off. Padded envelopes don't fair well.
 
Heirphoto said:
The free boxes and insurance clinches it for me as well as an online discount if you print l labels from hone rather than drive to the PO to mail things.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

As of the beginning of 2016, the "Retail" price and "Click-N-Ship" price are the same. No more discounts if you print your own label.
 
I have used both to ship, for me it all depends on the price of the knife and if I have a box available. The insurance and the ability to print the label (even without the discount anymore) sometimes win over saving $2...
 
10after10 said:
As of the beginning of 2016, the "Retail" price and "Click-N-Ship" price are the same. No more discounts if you print your own label.
Click to expand...
That is true for the USPS website but if you use eBay and their shipping link USPS is still discounted. I pay $6.10 for a Small Flat Rate box. I guess they get some preferential treatment, sort of like Amazon with Sunday delivery via USPS.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
 
Heirphoto said:
That is true for the USPS website but if you use eBay and their shipping link USPS is still discounted. I pay $6.10 for a Small Flat Rate box. I guess they get some preferential treatment, sort of like Amazon with Sunday delivery via USPS.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

So, is this only good for an eBay transaction?
 
Actually it works with the PayPal "print label" button too. Just did a small flat rate their and got the same $6.10 rate. Looks like it is just the direct USPS that may have stopped the discount.

Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top