Shipping nuts, bolts, small items?

[CG]

I just ordered a bunch of USPS shipping boxes. I see several of you guys send out quite a few nuts and bolts. Curious how you send these out? I think the smallest USPS box is around 8 bucks to ship ... Seems high for shipping the really small items.

I have a lot of items like this I'm going to be letting go and would like to make sure the buyers dont get soaked with shipping costs.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by CG

I just ordered a bunch of USPS shipping boxes. I see several of you guys send out quite a few nuts and bolts. Curious how you send these out? I think the smallest USPS box is around 8 bucks to ship ... Seems high for shipping the really small items.

I have a lot of items like this I'm going to be letting go and would like to make sure the buyers dont get soaked with shipping costs.

I ship a lot of small stuff in padded envelopes. 5x7 & 6x9. I buy the Duck brand at WallyWorld. Just wrap the item in a little bit of newspaper (you can use paper towel or napkins too) and tape it up good so no sharp edges can poke through the envelope. As long as it is 13 oz or less you can ship it USPS 1st Class mail, usually for 3 or 4 bucks..

LockDoc

[68bowtie]

^^ bingo

[kwmech]

Agreed, actually it is anything under a pound, so 15oz or less goes first class depending on weight and distance, pricing will vary.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Agreed, actually it is anything under a pound, so 15oz or less goes first class depending on weight and distance, pricing will vary.

First-Class Mail & Postage | USPS

https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class-mail.htm

Weight & Shape Requirements. Maximum weight for First-Class Mail letters is 3.5 oz. For large First-Class Mail envelopes and parcels, the maximum weight is 13 oz. All postcards and envelopes (or flats) must be rectangular, otherwise an additional charge may apply. Additional size restrictions apply depending on the type of mailpiece you're sending.

LockDoc

[kwmech]

I send out 14 and 15 oz packages regularly.

[CG]

Thanks Leon, good info.

[tj1970cst]

I have noticed if you use packages any smaller than the padded envelope lockdoc described, it has a way of getting lost for an indefinite amount of time. Idk if the machines at the usps eat the small packages or if they are lost by carriers. 98% of mine made it, eventually.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by tj1970cst

I have noticed if you use packages any smaller than the padded envelope lockdoc described, it has a way of getting lost for an indefinite amount of time. Idk if the machines at the usps eat the small packages or if they are lost by carriers. 98% of mine made it, eventually.

I had a postal employee tell me one time that the padded envelopes are the same color as some of the older mail bags and the envelopes are overlooked if they are laying on the bottom of the bag. I started using a large Red felt tip marker to make some squiggly lines on the back of the padded envelopes and haven't had any problem since.

LockDoc

[special-K]

The small flat rate at $8 and change is the best way to send hardware over the first class weight limit. If that's too significant an addition to total cost then bundle more pieces into the deal.

[specialtyretail]

First class limit is 13 ounces at the Post Office. If you have a USPS account you can go up 16 ounces in first class. Thanks, Fred.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by specialtyretail

First class limit is 13 ounces at the Post Office. If you have a USPS account you can go up 16 ounces in first class. Thanks, Fred.

It's a 13 oz limit if you print the labels out in PayPal too and that is what I usually do. You also get a discount from the P.O. price by printing them out in PP.

LockDoc

[tj1970cst]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

It's a 13 oz limit if you print the labels out in PayPal too and that is what I usually do. You also get a discount from the P.O. price by printing them out in PP.

LockDoc

Can you do that outside of ebay?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by tj1970cst

Can you do that outside of ebay?

Yes you can. When you are logged into PP scroll down to "Manage Multiorder Shipping". After you click on that , on the right side you will see a "Create Shipment" button. Click on that and create your label.

LockDoc

[kwmech]

I have an acct with Stamps.com....so that would explain that

[CG]

Went to Walmart and picked up some padded envelopes. They had 4x7 (no 5x7) and 6x9's. I dont have any of the extra options you guys are talking about, just have to go in to the post office and pay up. I do have a scale at home I use for repackaging meat that I buy in large packs to get a better deal. Now all I have to do is start going through all my smaller items, and a little larger when my boxes come in.

Thanks again everyone for chiming in. Leon I picked up a fat red marking pen too.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by CG

Went to Walmart and picked up some padded envelopes. They had 4x7 (no 5x7) and 6x9's. I dont have any of the extra options you guys are talking about, just have to go in to the post office and pay up. I do have a scale at home I use for repackaging meat that I buy in large packs to get a better deal. Now all I have to do is start going through all my smaller items, and a little larger when my boxes come in.

Thanks again everyone for chiming in. Leon I picked up a fat red marking pen too.

Good deal Mark. I think mine are actually 4x7 too. You can still go here and calculate what your shipping will be:

https://postcalc.usps.com/

You don't have to be logged in or have an account.

In the first window type in the zip codes. After you put in the zip codes click on "Calculate price based on Shape and Size". Next window type in the weight and click on "Large Envelope". Next window click on "Contains items that cause more than 1/4 inch variation in thickness". Next window scroll down to "First-Class Package Service - Retail" for the price.

LockDoc