shipping prices

Is it just where I live or are shipping prices right out of this world? I shipped my tunnel ram today and it was almost double what it cost last year to ship to me. All while fuel is under $2/gal.

UPS was $68 and FedEx wanted $100 for ground shipping. For a bloody intake manifold. It seems like they give cheap shipping to the big companies and just put the rest on my back.

Make sure you are using an actual ups store or FedEx the shipping stored usually charge $10-$15 service charge. The price doesn't seem totally out of line though it cost me $55 to have my tunnel ram shipped 3 years ago.

It seems on packages less than 50# the post office is hard to beat anymore.

X2 the post office is your friend lately.

The strength of the US dollar, and the low price of oil/fuel, energizes the manufacturing import/export industries inherently making the shipping companies busier, and when they are busy in order for them to do more volume they charge higher prices, longer hours, more staff equals higher margins, the fuel price is a double edged sword so to speak, when it comes to shipping.

Open up a ups account and print your own labels. It is cheaper and then just drop the package off at a ups store

We are going back and forth with our UPS rep right now. I cannot understand the price increases, as well as the added on charges every 5 minutes. They are implementing another 5% increase as we speak. I could understand the frustration of the walk in customer.

Hate to see the bill for shipping heads or a complete engine

My heads will be done soon and coming from 1 state away. Even with the gas prices so low, the 10 to 12 hour round trip isn't worth it .
I'll pay the shipping, the end result will be worth it .

John Myrick has the right idea.
I did the same recently on something too heavy to ship USPS.
Setup UPS account, paid for online, printed label, dropped off at UPS store.

i shipped a Ford 9inch third member. I stuffed it in a 5gallon bucket, put on the lid, boxed up the whole bucket. Weighted 88 lbs. shipped it 1000 miles and it cost $65 to ship.

Deep, did you claim actual value or lower amount ?

That is a good idea setting up an account. We also checked the shipping places and they indeed were more. I really hate UPS because they smash the hell out of half what you order. We are actually fighting with them now because they said they delivered something that was never delivered. They have a signature that does not match anyone in my household and I was home that day, all day. I only use them if I have to. Really they have you over a barrel because you have no other choice. I try to use USPS when I can but if I am selling something I want to be able to track it in case it goes missing.

John,
Actual value was low. I think I sold the whole third member for $100. I've got a dozen 3.25:1 open diffs that I've pulled out, they all work fine, but hold little value to me, other than something to trip over in the shop.

Jason,
USPS, when you pay them, you get a receipt, it has a number on it that can be used as a tracking number.

As far as beaten up boxes.... well I think between me and the Mrs, we've shipped about 4,000 heavy boxes this decade. There is a bit of an artwork to packing something to be indestructible. Hence using a 5 gallon bucket to ship a third member, the added 3lbs adds little to the cost to ship, but does a ton to making it hard to damage. Hardest things to ship are large pieces like FE intake manifolds

Drew