How to get Cheap(er) Shipping with US Mail

[lowwall]

You seem to know a lot about USPS. I have a question that maybe you can answer. They offer free supplies such as boxes and envelopes. Where's the catch?

They all offer free mailers. I guess the only catch is they have to make up the cost somewhere, so the mailing costs are higher than they would be without the "free" boxes. Also, USPS free mailers are only for the Priority classes, so they make money if they convince people to use that instead of First Class or Parcel Post.

This is completely OT, but while I was checking my answer, I found something interesting: Cremated Remains Mailing Products | USPS.com

 

[GreggS]

Many of us are working from home. I don't ship stuff all that often, so I just go to one of those shipping stores that overcharge to box up and send something for you...

My wife is a 4th grade schoolteacher. Thanks to the plague, she's working from home. One of the things she did in class was to have a "treasure box" where students can get prizes as an incentive for performance. Teaching from Home + treasure box = a lot of shipping stuff.

So, now we're shipping like 2-25 packages a week and it was adding up. I first tried getting a label printer and using stamps.com. Quickly discovered that those guys were out of their mind. It cost me almost $9 to send something within my zip code that weighted 0.8oz. (a small 4x6 padded envelope with a toy or something in it).

Posting because I discovered a US Mail shipping website that's vastly cheaper than anything else I've found. These 0.8oz packages go out first class us mail for $2.40 each! The site is pirateship.com

Due to the odd name, I called the USPS and asked if it was a legit website. USPS said they didn't know but there are thousands of sites reselling US postage so it could be. I've used it for about 10 packages now and it seems to be on the level! I've even had packages come back due to incorrect address with no complaints from USPS about the postage.

I think I figured out the price discrepancy. If I create a label for something that is the same dimensions but weighs 1lb, the price is almost identical to stamps.com or USPS.com. I assume those sites are charging the 1lb rate rather than the 0.8oz rate.

In short, if you need to ship stuff on the cheap - go check out pirateship.com . Despite the poorly conceived name, it's legitimate.

I went out and bought a dymo 4xl which is a 4x6 label printer. Works very nicely for shipping labels from USPS, FedEX, DHL. However, it's kind of a hassle with UPS as they go out of their way trying to force you into their brand of printer. You could easily print on regular paper and tape the paper to your package. Since I'm doing a lot, the label printer makes it easier. You could also get 3M or avery labels for use with inkjet printers. The dymo is just more convenient.

I don't have anything to do with any of these shipping sites other than that I am their customer.

The USPS website does not offer 1st Class postage for sale thru their Click N' Ship. The least class of postage you can purchase from there is Priority mail. That is why the price is higher there than on the other site. Priority Mail is quite a bit more than 1st class but it is generally much faster. 1st Class also has a maximum weight limit of 13 oz. so anything above that has to be shipped using another method. When I have something to ship, I'll compare Priority mail to UPS Ground for both price and delivery time as I have an account with each.

I was unaware of the pirateship.com site but I will check it out. My only problem would be that most times when I do have something to ship, it weighs well over the 13 oz. limit for 1st Class.

ETA: You can still look up the price for 1st Class on the USPS website, but you would have to take the item to the post office to purchase the postage from them.

 

[outofofficebrb]

The USPS website does not offer 1st Class postage for sale thru their Click N' Ship. The least class of postage you can purchase from there is Priority mail. That is why the price is higher there than on the other site. Priority Mail is quite a bit more than 1st class but it is generally much faster. 1st Class also has a maximum weight limit of 13 oz. so anything above that has to be shipped using another method. When I have something to ship, I'll compare Priority mail to UPS Ground for both price and delivery time as I have an account with each.

I was unaware of the pirateship.com site but I will check it out. My only problem would be that most times when I do have something to ship, it weighs well over the 13 oz. limit for 1st Class.

ETA: You can still look up the price for 1st Class on the USPS website, but you would have to take the item to the post office to purchase the postage from them.

I have a PayPal account and have been using them to ship, even if there is no transaction data for what you're shipping in PayPal.com. (e.g., I can ship a package to you even if we have not sent money to each other for an item or service.) I can pay with everything on my credit card on file or the balance if you have any, or your bank account. They will do USPS First Class (as well as international packages both Priority and First class both with tracking). You can also do international shipments with an online customs form fill out which also prints it for the label. It's super easy and I have been doing this in lieu of going to the post office since our lockdown began in mid March. I've sent domestic and international with no issues since then.

www.paypal.com/shipnow

I will check out PirateShip. Thanks for the tip, @kelemvor ! I generally don't send heavy enough items to warrant sending Priority Flat Rate whether domestic or international but when I do, I just get some boxes from USPS. Otherwise, I use a scale. Thanks!

 

[GreggS]

I have a PayPal account and have been using them to ship, even if there is no transaction data for what you're shipping in PayPal.com. (e.g., I can ship a package to you even if we have not sent money to each other for an item or service.) I can pay with everything on my credit card on file or the balance if you have any, or your bank account. They will do USPS First Class (as well as international packages both Priority and First class both with tracking). You can also do international shipments with an online customs form fill out which also prints it for the label. It's super easy and I have been doing this in lieu of going to the post office since our lockdown began in mid March. I've sent domestic and international with no issues since then.

www.paypal.com/shipnow

I will check out PirateShip. Thanks for the tip, @kelemvor ! I generally don't send heavy enough items to warrant sending Priority Flat Rate whether domestic or international but when I do, I just get some boxes from USPS. Otherwise, I use a scale. Thanks!

Yeah, I thought about including that in my reply, but since he specifically mentioned comparing the USPS website, Stamps.com, and PirateShip, I just focused on those in my answer.

 

[Kupu]

I have been using paypal shipping for a couple years and gave pirateship a try today.
Very happy to see it offers regional priority box A & B options and auto finds mailing addresses.
Thanks very much for the heads up on pirateship, my first use was a positive experience, more options plus quicker and easier compared to paypal.