The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've gone back to the website and believe I see the answer to my last question. Pirate Ship does provide a discount and in many (all?) cases would be cheaper than going straight to the shipping agent.

jboger wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 7:46 am I created an account and found that Pirate Ship allows one to quickly compare prices between various shipping options. Returning to my original question, it would seem the USPS does not ship packages as large as 40 x 30 x 30, so that answers that. Only UPS accepts a package that big.

Question: Is Pirate Ship's charge less than that of the shipping agent? or if I took my package directly to UPS, for example, would the charge be the same?

John

My understanding is that Pirate Ship is cheaper, as the carriers give it a cut rate in return for consolidating single shipments into high-volume tenders. Pirate Ship then passes part of the savings on, presumably keeping some as it is not, after all, a charity. Rather in the way getting insurance as part of a group is generally cheaper than buying an individual policy from an insurance agent.

Raphael wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:24 am

gramophone-georg wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 8:17 pm …..have not yet had any losses/ damage in about 5 years of using them, even with UPS!

George, just curious: what does Pirate Shipping have to do with losses or damage? They are not the carrier, only an intermediary sharing their volume discounts with their customers. Damages are usually the fault of the original sender’s packing not being sufficient to withstand the automated sorting systems used by UPS, FedEx and USPS.

Raphael

Maybe nothing. Or maybe they have a secret agreement for better handling. PS seems to be more selective on their carriers, ONLY using USPS and UPS- no FedEx, OnTrack, DHL, etc.

It's funny but I always despised UPS as I have had more damages and losses with them than any other carrier. I was SUPER leery of using them through PS when they came on board. But I have had absolutely zero issues with UPS using PS whatsoever- and I know, because I follow up. I do a ton of shipping in my classic German car biz, so I am not talking about just the occasional phono or record sale.

Funny thing is, is that I still receive UPS parcels damaged once in awhile. If it's not something from a vendor that I know has their own UPS account, I follow up to ask who they shipped it through. None of them have been PS so far.

It's totally circumstantial, I realize, but I have gotten confident enough that I self- insure now rather than paying for insurance that may or may not pay in case of damage.

One more question and then I think I'll give it a whirl.

I read through the PirateShip website but did not find an answer to this question, although I'm sure it must be there somewhere. Suppose I decide to ship vis USPS Ground. I provide PirateShip with the necessary information (addresses, weight, dimensions), pay, and print out their label. I then take the package to my local post office. What then?

I don't think I just drop off the package. That would require the post office to trust both PirateShip and me. Wouldn't the post office (or UPS for that matter) need to confirm the information I provided PirateShip before they accept the package? And wouldn't that mean I need to stand in line and wait for the next clerk?

I think I'm almost there, just this last detail.

John

Hi John-
I've been using PirateShip for several months and have been very pleased- To me the biggest benefit is that you can just drop off the package at the PO and not wait in line- Our PO has a large bin near the counter-- I just drop my packages in the bin and leave-- Around Christmas time I was bypassing 15 to 20 people in the long line--
I've not had any issues. For me-- its been a good service.

Brad Abell

One more thing as I just reread your post--- The PO will always verify the weight/size of packages-- even those when postage has been purchased through usps.com.. If your specs are different than reality, the amount paid will be adjusted and charged or credited to your payment choice- I have mine done through my Paypal account.-- That has only happened to me once--and the cost was adjusted DOWN. Again- I'm pleased with PS.

Brad

Oops- Double posted-- Sorry

I rarely use USPS but know that if you have an account with them, you can schedule a pickup at your door at no charge, even if using the PS app. I just shipped a package to the Philippines yesterday and that's what I did.

Raphael

Rapahel:

I had an inquiry from Taiwan. Two ship too large packages was enormous, well over a grand. I did not check with PirateShip, and have not yet. Maybe that would be cheaper.

Brad:

That's good to know. I figured the actual shipping services at some point need to verify the cost. The missing piece was, if necessary, an additional transaction on a credit card might be necessary. At least I don't need to stand in line. BTW, I routinely use the self-service machines in the P.O. Ditto, around Christmas Time it's great to bypass a long line and go to one of those machines.


Everyone:

Thanks for your help!

John

Raphael wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:34 am I rarely use USPS but know that if you have an account with them, you can schedule a pickup at your door at no charge, even if using the PS app. I just shipped a package to the Philippines yesterday and that's what I did.

Raphael

Through PS you can schedule a pickup as well. USPS is free, but there's a $4 charge for UPS. But that's $4 per pickup, not per package. I've had pickups with 10 plus large boxes, and it's still $4.