Shipping?

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

I know this has been talked about. I want to ship four kites in two boxes. The prices I have so far are $140 for UPS and $174 for USPS. Other options or just suck it up? I really wished I worked again for a business that ships.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1804 Posts XTreme Poster

I don't know where you are shipping from and to, but I have never paid more than $30 with insurance and tracking to ship a kite with bar UPS, from Oregon to wherever. Two kites packed in same box normally 40 ish. This from the UPS Store in Hood River.

Eric

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 450 Posts Obsessed

Seattle is the furthest I have shipped but also about 30bucks plus the cost of the box. This was for a 14m kite plus pump

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 562 Posts white salmon Addicted

with kites you will be paying dimensional weight rather than actual weight. compress the kites as much as possible into a smaller box and your cost will go down significantly. Fedex ground is usually the cheapest for me.

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 463 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Get some tape and a utility knife, make a box to fit. USPS is usually the cheapest route.

Like everybody else said, those quotes are way out of line. I'd guess $30-50 with tracking and insurance, depending on weight and size.

I've used Greyhound as well. Hood River to San Francisco, overnight.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1473 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Anthony - are these prices quote from the actual UPS store or post office?

Avoid the generic stores like Postal Annex that are fronts for UPS and others. Typically they charge at least double the actual UPS rates.

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 112 Posts Stoked

In my experience with UPS, the dimensions are important. At some dimensions, you can go down 1" and the price jumps down dramatically. With UPS weight isn't much of an issue with price. The zip code you are shipping to can affect the price dramatically. If it to an area away from an airport or railway, and has to travel by truck, then the price can jump up.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

Size is a bigger factor than weight

In order to keep the size of the box as small as is possible you should....

1. Take the kites out of the bags and before packing them in the box.
2. a. I buy two boxes the same size from Home Depot/Lowes or???
b. Pick a box that is too small for the volume of kite you are shipping
c. Assemble both boxes and cut the top flaps off of both boxes
d. pack the kites as well as you can in one box. It is OK to let the excess kite stick out the top
e. Take the second box and turn it upside down. Then slide it over the excess kite sticking up and push it as far down over the first box as far as possible. Tape the boxes together.

I hope that is clear.

This will ensure you have the smallest box possible that is well packed.

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

I have done quite bit of research. I really wish I had a buddy in the shipping business. I am on my own on this one. I used a website called https://shipgooder.com/ to compare, FED-EX, USPS and UPS. Then went to Fed-Ex web site. The winner was Fed-Ex for a $105 with $800 insurance. Two boxes. 34lb 25x19x13 and a 29 lb 30x17x11. The 17m and 14m were less than half the kite bag when done. I am thinking that is about as good as it will get. Any other ideas? Thank you for the input.

Anthony

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1804 Posts XTreme Poster

Buy two jumbo vacuum clothes bags. Put two kites in each. Vacuum them down such that they all fit into one small box. When traveling I vacuum a 10/8/6 into one kite bag and carry it on. Thick garbage bags work too, but not as well

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 515 Posts portland Addicted

i just shipped an 11m and a 13m. no vacu-suck or anything fancy. just crammed them in a box. $40 to chicago

also, a 7m and a 9m. same lack of special treatment. $43 to puerto rico.

dwaynej · Since 09 Sep 2013 207 Posts Stoked **CGKA Member**

I used a friends business - shipping from their business address on their business account and cut them a check for the costs. On some of my diving gear shipped internationally, the savings were more than $400.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

DO NOT USE USPS if it ships through Washington state. Multiple lost kites and packages through there. They have a notorious sorting facility known for "losing" valuable packages. My advise: spend the extra few dollars and use UPS.

No FedEx either they treat their drivers like cattle.