Shipping Systems!!!! .... How?

ars2pdars2pd
in Collector's Corner
Okay, I almost never send flat rate.... but I know systems are pricey to ship..

So when does flat rate really save? for small? medium? large?

Is it cheaper to package a system in a generic box, or send it flat rate? What systems fit in certain flat rate boxes?

Checking weight on:

N64 + power cord + Av cord + controller + game (in a box)

NES + power cord + R/f + controller + game (in a box)

Gamecube + power cord + r/f + controller + game (in a box)

etc for ps1

etc for ps2 (slim and thick)

etc for xbox (original)


If anyone is bored, and wants to do this experiment for me since I dont have a postal scale, that would be awesome. I realize, bubble wrap etc would also add to weight, but just to save time, put it in a box, and weigh it. 

Just wanted to compare pricing differences. Please help!

Comments

  • VGS_captmorgandrinkerVGS_captmorgandrinker
    There's probably quite a few guys that have shipped out several of these.



    I can tell you from personal experience that the N64 + power + AV + controller + loose game will fit into the more square-ish medium flat rate box. Takes some tetrising of the items, but they'll all fit.



    Pretty sure that weighs 6 billable pounds, I think the NES with that stuff is 7 pounds.



    Also, zones come into effect for non flat rate stuff. If you're shipping a zone or two away, you may be better off using the 12x12x8 non-flat rate box. If you're shipping like 4 zones away or more, pretty much anything over 2 pounds is better off with flat-rate.
  • jonebonejonebone
    I've only shipped NES / SNES / N64 and Genesis and I can get them all into a Medium Flat Rate box with adequate packing. That's $10.20 printed online nowadays I believe, went up almost a dollar about 3 months ago.



    Flat rate is a life saver for us East or West cost guys, though if you are located in central US it is probably about the same rate to either coast and you are quite lucky.
  • pedro!pedro!
    with the rate changes recently, unless the guy you're shipping to is within a couple states of you, Priority Medium Flat is best for all of these. (I don't know about the Sony and Microsoft systems)
  • DinoellisDinoellis
    I always just ship media mail. I don't know if your not supposed to with systems but I always just say it's video games. I haven't had a problem yet and thank god for that because I ship huge lots all the time for under $10.
  • ars2pdars2pd
    Originally posted by: Dinoellis

    I always just ship media mail. I don't know if your not supposed to with systems but I always just say it's video games. I haven't had a problem yet and thank god for that because I ship huge lots all the time for under $10.


    Even video games they dont want you to ship media mail....I shipped out a packaged of bulk games, it got checked and sent back. I had to pay the appropriate shipping fee and was out what I paid to ship media...
  • dr.robbiedr.robbie
    medium flat rate for nearly all system bundles. if you're really thinking it might be worth it, just check with usps.com and check it out based on the zip code. for me, i think nearly every one I have checked is worth it to send in a flat rate box (NES bundles, SNES bundles, and Genesis bundles for the most part)
  • antofarabiaantofarabia
    rule of thumb is if it's one state over ship it not flat rate ... if it's more than one state go with flat rate ... hope this helps ... and for the lazy flat rate won't be that much more in cases one state over anyway so you could just ship everything that way
  • ars2pdars2pd
    Thanks guys. Looks like medium flat rate just all around works. What about CIB games? I usually never ship CIB games in flat rate smalls. I need to check my receipts....
  • smokinjoe24smokinjoe24
    I wouldn't ship a system in anything other than a flat rate...it isn't that easy for me to get boxes that size. And anything bigger and you tons of stuffing.
  • pats1717pats1717
    Medium Flate Rate Boxes for most systems, you can't ship Original Xbox or Sega CD systems that way. PS2 thick systems can go in the longer medium flat rate boxes.



    Just watch your postal zones. After shipping for a while you learn pretty much what it costs from state to state. I can ship any system cheaper In all of New England, NY, parts of PA

  • dr.robbiedr.robbie
    Originally posted by: ars2pd

    Thanks guys. Looks like medium flat rate just all around works. What about CIB games? I usually never ship CIB games in flat rate smalls. I need to check my receipts....


    for singles, it's usually cheaper to sell them in their own box (not flat rate). Probably save a few bucks. But it's kinda tough to find good sized boxes for them. I sometimes use the small flat rate ones just for convenience though. They are sturdy and that is important when you want to avoid damaging the boxes.

    I think you can put them in the box and then in a flat rate envelope to save money? I've never done that, but I heard it is the cheapest/safest way for CIBs.
  • projectingstarsprojectingstars
    Bump.



    Ok, so what do you guys think is the best way to ship CIB systems? It looks like none of the flat rate boxes are big enough for certain systems. Thanks for the help!
  • DestructoDiskDestructoDisk
    Medium seems to be the most affordable for me. WOrks with everything so far, except original Xbox. I couldn't even get that into a large flat rate box, which sucks, because it's heavy as hell. I think it was damn near $20 to ship.
  • projectingstarsprojectingstars
    ^Yeah, I was thinking about the N64 box, which is pretty big too. I don't think flat rate works with N64...
  • pats1717pats1717
    Originally posted by: JBOGames

    Medium seems to be the most affordable for me. WOrks with everything so far, except original Xbox. I couldn't even get that into a large flat rate box, which sucks, because it's heavy as hell. I think it was damn near $20 to ship.


    That is when you send the system and wires (not controller) in the med flat rate long box and the controller separate and it will be cheaper.


  • pats1717pats1717
    Originally posted by: projectingstars

    ^Yeah, I was thinking about the N64 box, which is pretty big too. I don't think flat rate works with N64...


    Ups ground for boxed systems would be my choice

  • projectingstarsprojectingstars
    ^Really, UPS? How much (roughly) would you say it would cost? I'm really unfamiliar using UPS, since I almost always hear USPS is better/cheaper.



    Also, would you just put the system box inside of a bigger box, with padding? Thanks for the help. image
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