USPS flat rate went way up

[abunaitoo]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Small box went up $2.00 to $8.45!!!!!
Big box is $22.00!!!!!!!!!
Makes it kind of hard to sell stuff when the shipping is as much as the merchandise.
Bet you it goes up again soon.

[Winger Ed.]

WOW!!!!!!!!Bet you it goes up again soon.

I don't remember it ever going down.

[VariableRecall]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Small box went up $2.00 to $8.45!!!!!
Big box is $22.00!!!!!!!!!


I believe that The Small Flat Rate Boxes were $8.45 for a while now. At least, that was the case when I mailed something in December...

[shampine]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Small box went up $2.00 to $8.45!!!!!
Big box is $22.00!!!!!!!!!
Makes it kind of hard to sell stuff when the shipping is as much as the merchandise.
Bet you it goes up again soon.

Still cheaper than driving it there yourself .

[Bazoo]

Been that way a few years. Last dies I sent out cost 5 and change in a regular old box. Costs bout 4/5 bucks for a mould. But folks seem to think they are doing you a favor if they only use FRBs.

[smithnframe]

Small boxes have been $8.30 in my neck of the woods for a few years now!

[shampine]

Been that way a few years. Last dies I sent out cost 5 and change in a regular old box. Costs bout 4/5 bucks for a mould. But folks seem to think they are doing you a favor if they only use FRBs.
I received a box of cast yesterday, I feel like they did do me a favor . Seller charged me $9 because he used a flat rate box, I thought that was a great price to travel from the west to the east USA. . That little box was pretty heavy ,just saying .

[farmbif]

my pay hasn't gone up none, how bout yours?

[CoolHandMoss]

I have been surprised at how committed people on this board are to the frb. It's like it's assumed that it is cheaper than priority. Something like a mold that isn't a box of lead, depending on where it is going, will often be cheaper than the frb. You can usually ask the person at the p.o. to throw it on the scale and punch in a destination and tell you before you even package it to know which is cheaper. I recently even sent about 3 lbs of lead by priority mail for less than a small flat rate.

[JoeJames]

I believe that The Small Flat Rate Boxes were $8.45 for a while now. At least, that was the case when I mailed something in December...I thought the flat rate envelope would be cheaper; so I mailed a buddy in Louisiana some of my cast bullets in one - nope $8.45 if I remember right.

[William Yanda]

I buy usps postage on Ebay, at discounted rates. If you use Ebay, you can 1) print another label, and 2) edit the address. Just sayin'.
Another option is the regional priority boxes. They are not available in the PO but can be ordered free. By weight, they can be a cheaper option than flat rate for closer destinations.

[DougGuy]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Small box went up $2.00 to $8.45!!!!!


LOL when were they $6.45? 1980?



If you use Ebay, you can 1) print another label, and 2) edit the address. Just sayin'.


That's all fine and well until ebay sends an email to the original recipient saying they have a package coming :bigsmyl2:

[gmsharps]

They went up from $8.30 to $8.45 about 2 weeks ago.

gmsharps

[Texas by God]

If they reach their destination.....they are still a bargain if you want to send as much lead as they will hold.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Mal Paso]

I think USPS lost the Amazon contract and UPS has it now. To some extent we may pay for Amazon throwing their weight around.

[Dusty Bannister]

I think the price break point is about 4 pounds for first class priority. Then you have to provide your own box which for some is not a problem. I have not bothered to check if there is any insurance included in first class mailing. The PO flat rate boxes are compatible with the postal equipment and should travel the system a little better than a personal creation of irregular shape. And for me, it is convenient.

[Petrol & Powder]

USPS didn't "lose" the Amazon contract but the overall situation is changing. Amazon had long partnered with USPS for "last mile" delivery via USPS but as Amazon expands their distribution network they reduce the number of local post offices in that system. Every time Amazon builds another local distribution center, they decrease their dependence on USPS for that "last mile" distribution.

UPS didn't "win" that contract either, Amazon has always used a number of delivery companies in addition to their own delivery.

USPS rate increases reflect the changing market and demands on the system. There are a LOT more packages being shipped in this COVID-19 era, Internet sales in general have increased dramatically and costs are going up.
USPS is continuing to shift from a letter delivery oriented service to a package delivery oriented service. The price of fuel is going to go up (you can thank the liberals for that) and labor costs are going up (you can thank the liberals for that as well).

[pertnear]

I buy usps postage on Ebay, at discounted rates. If you use Ebay, you can 1) print another label, and 2) edit the address. Just sayin'.
Another option is the regional priority boxes. They are not available in the PO but can be ordered free. By weight, they can be a cheaper option than flat rate for closer destinations.
I hate PayPal, but you can buy & print postage from your PP account & get the same discounted rates as eBay. There is a sticky post about it here on this forum somewhere.

[Handloader109]

Rates are up in January again. If you are under a pound, don't use Priority mail, use First Class, and you can print tracking number. Several dollars cheaper if say 12 to 14 ounce package. Use Paypal Multiship, or ebay shipping if you are selling on ebay. Last of the three is the USPS website. You ARE paying for the "free" box when you use ANY of the std USPS boxes. The Flat rate boxes have built in increase as most of users pack heavy stuff in them. Price using your own box first and then a FRB. Just a few hints at USPS that I've found. BTW, USP and Fedex are cheaper if larger/heavier items that are 1. traveling a long way from you, 2. won't fit in FRB. If only a state or two away, USPS will most probably be close or cheaper. I've found if I ship from Arkansas to say Oregon or New Jersey, USPS can be Several dollars more for a 8 pound box, But closer, UPS and fedex's residential charge makes them higher.

[Scrounge]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Small box went up $2.00 to $8.45!!!!!
Big box is $22.00!!!!!!!!!
Makes it kind of hard to sell stuff when the shipping is as much as the merchandise.
Bet you it goes up again soon.

May be because you're in Hawaii. They've been $8.30 here in OKC for quite a while. Haven't shipped anything in a few weeks, so couldn't swear they haven't got up some, but I've never paid less than $8:30 for a SFRB. Medium box is $15.05, IIRC, last I shipped something in that. Large was $22.05, likewise.

[Scrounge]

my pay hasn't gone up none, how bout yours?

Mine went up to $21.78 March 27th, last year. A week before a bunch of us got terminated.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Small box went up $2.00 to $8.45!!!!!

SNIP...

I think your memory is failing you... it went up 15¢ (for retail dropoff) a couple weeks ago ;)

[Omega]

I package what I am sending in plain packaging and ask the clerk to see what would be cheaper, many times it's the plain 1st class package. Flat rate is best for heavy items, like bullets or alloy. They are now making 1st class boxes (not regional), looks like the FRB, with some different size options. With all the choices it's hard to pick the cheapest shipping method, that is why most just use Flat Rate, a known cost.

[higgins]

Another vote for Regional Rate boxes. They're good for situations like too much brass for a small FRB and you don't want to go to a MFRB. There is a 2.30 surcharge if you take it to the post office and send it over the counter, but still comes out about $5 less than a MFRB unless you send it to the other side of the country. Go to the USPS website and print a zone chart from your zip code, and go here to see how much the RR boxes are to various zones; the RR box chart is on page 15.

https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/Notice123.pdf?_gl=1*lvf70t*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE2MTA4MzE 0MDcuMjIwYmQwNWRkNjkyMTRmYzk3OWZiMDVlODBiZTVjYjQ.

[RustyReel]

Been that way a few years. Last dies I sent out cost 5 and change in a regular old box. Costs bout 4/5 bucks for a mould. But folks seem to think they are doing you a favor if they only use FRBs.

If it weighs a pound or more it is absolutely cheaper if it will fit in a SFRB. Plus you get 50 bucks in insurance, whatever that is actually worth. More than a couple of pounds I look to the Regional A flat rate box. Have to order those boxes though (free) as Post Offices usually don't have any.

Plus, you don't have to scrounge around for boxes that will fit.

[bedbugbilly]

IIRC some of those prices have been that way for a while.

But hey . . . I don't know what folks are complaining about as far as the cost of a flat rate box - the increase in prices certainly improved the USPS service - what used to cost less for a flat rate box that went Priority with a guaranteed 2 day delivery now costs more for the same Priority Mail box that now gets delivered in a week or more in many cases. I think that is what the Left Socialists call being "Progressive" isn't it?

[Winger Ed.]

. I think that is what the Left Socialists call being "Progressive" isn't it?

If it means more money for less work or efficiency---- you're probably right.

[Uncle Dave]

my pay hasn't gone up none, how bout yours?

My Disability check went up $30 a month! ��
30 years in heavy construction and 20 surgeries and still took 6 years to get anything.