The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was on the US Postal Service's online shipping cost calculator the other day. I had entered various sizes, weights, and zip codes for imaginary but potentially real packages, from small sizes and weights to large ones. I'm trying to get a "feel" for how much it costs to ship items domestically, not just phonograph-related things.

I entered a package size of 40 in. x 30 in. x 30. in., a box size that would safely accommodate a typical morning glory horn for a cylinder player. The cost calculator informed me that I could not ship a package that large via the USPS.

Is that correct? Am I looking at the wrong website? I subsequently used FedEx's cost calculator. It seems that company will ship such a large package. Seems odd that the USPS would not ship a package that size. Am I missing something?

John

For starters, I'd look at a site called Pirate Ship https://www.pirateship.com/

It gets you discounted shipping rates and lays out various options for carriers and costs. You enter your package's dimensions and weight, choose any options like extra insurance or media mail, pay through the site, print a shipping label on your home printer, affix it to the box, and drop the box off at a shipping store (UPS store, Pack-'n'-Mail, what have you) or--if you chose the Postal Service and prefer--at a Post Office, and off it goes.

No tricks or gimmicks if I create an account? No endless emails?

jboger wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:23 pm No tricks or gimmicks if I create an account? No endless emails?

I've had an account for at least a couple of years now, probably a little more, and I've had no spam or other annoyances.

I've used PirateShip for years. There are no fees or service charges. The only email I ever get from them is to advise me of major rate changes or availability of new services. They have the best rates around for small packages going internationally. They also have a "cubic" Priority Mail rate that can save significant money for packages less than 0.5 cubic feet that are heavy.

I've also used Pirate Shipping and it's been flawless, convenient, with substantial savings.

Jerry B.

Folks:

You have convinced my to create an account. I will do so tomorrow morning.

John

Original Pirate Shipper from way back here... I have yet to find a better service, and have not yet had any losses/ damage in about 5 years of using them, even with UPS!

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

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