Priority Mail Flat Rate Box or Region A?

[keziak]

Long-time seller of media here, who has rarely had cause to ship Priority except for envelopes. 

I am getting in a large number of LEGO sets. Most of them should be a fairly standard small and large size. I will order some medium flat rate boxes for the larger sets. 

I have a lot of Region A boxes that would be good for the small sets, and I'll order some the other size of medium flat rate box. 

My question is, should I use the option on the SYI form for shipping by medium flat rate box, then evaluate when they sell to see if they could go by the Region A box for less? Or is that a shady business practice?

[candd205]

I have a small stock of all sizes of priority boxes that USPS offers. When I list something, I figure out which priority box my item will fit in and then weigh that, and base my shipping on that. Mailing using regular priority boxes are probably cheaper than the flat rate priority boxes.

[keziak]

What are "regular Priority boxes", your own boxes shipped Priority?

[candd205]

When I say regular priority boxes, I mean USPS has lots of sizes of priority boxes other than the flat rate. For instance, there is a 12 x 12 box that might work for your items, or lots of other sizes. They are just priority boxes. Go to the USPS web site, click "quick tools" then click "free boxes" then click "boxes". There you will see all sizes of priority boxes available. They give the size of the box, so you can measure the size of your Lego boxes to determine which Lego box will fit in which priority box. My favorite box to use is the shoe box size. So when I saw "regular Priority boxes", I just mean boxes that are based on weight, not flat rate.

[candd205]

But, you can also mail your own boxes that you already have as priority mail too. Post office accepts either their priority boxes or your box mailed as priority mail.

[biggymoe]

USPS offers a variety, of sizes, of Priority boxes, that shipping cost is based on weight and Zone they are going to.  Something else you would need to check for which is more economical.  When using the Flat Rate boxes, you know the cost without weighing and knowing destination.  The regular Priority boxes are often less expensive to ship.  The Flat Rate boxes are the best choice for heavy items.

[pooh333piglet]

I dont think its shady. I LOVE Rate A boxes. It should be, I believe, always cheaper than Med flat rate. 

If the sets are 2lbs or under tho it saves a few cents to use a regular priority box and ship at 2 lbs. As you sell you will see the price comparisons and small savings  and may think why not. It's not much like $.10-.60

[nobody*s_perfect]

"My question is, should I use the option on the SYI form for shipping by medium flat rate box, then evaluate when they sell to see if they could go by the Region A box for less?"

There's no need to do that, because the Regional "A" box will always cost less than the Medium FRB.  Online postage for the Med FRB is $13.60, and shipping a Regional "A" box to Zone 8 costs $12.50.

[keziak]

That is good to know about the Region A boxes. They should be a good size for the smaller Lego sets. 

I feel pretty dumb not to understand that the PO has Priority boxes that aren't flat rate. You might say "what? you have been selling here for over 20 years!"  But I'm really a Media Mail girl. 

thanks all!

[keziak]

well turns out this thread is moot. I picked up the games and they are mostly the very largish LEGO sets. I'll need to use my own boxes. definitely need to order some. 

[frodobagginskennedy]

usps offers game boxes that will fit  typical board game.  will they work for your lego sets?

[nobody*s_perfect]

The USPS free Priority Mail "game box" is a Large flat rate box so it is usually more expensive than shipping at regular weight-based rates. It only saves $ if you're shipping something dense and heavy.  Even to Zone 8, it costs more than the regular Priority postage for a 4-pound package.

[frodobagginskennedy]

I didn;t realize they were flat rate.  I have a stack of them in the garage but I have only used one.

[pooh333piglet]

I have sold legos before. If needed use 1  + 1/2 priority boxes. Get the longest side loading. No. 1095.  Cut 1 in half or as needed and cap off your other 1095 box. I do that for games too. Or longer items as needed. 

[swappart]

I have yet to see a case where it's economical to use flat rate for an item weighing under 4 pounds. In my experience, it usually ends up costing more. I would also order some regular priority boxes. You can cut them down, or combine them to make them longer as needed too.