Shipping Blues...Suggestions?

[7E-Bodies]

Looking for input on the best choices for shipping. I've started shipping off peripheral parts for restoration as my 70 Challenger project progresses. The other day I shipped my original wiper motor to SF Restoration in Quebec (ouch, $60 insured at $200) and my rim blow wheel to David Tays in Indiana ($40, insured at $500). These prices were with USPS, cheapest rate. Next, my calipers and MC head off to Minneapolis, and this will be much heavier. I'm seeking advice for not just savings, but a safe ride for my rare parts as well. What rubric is best when determining shipping choices?

Kevin 

[Floyd]

Agree, shipping costs are a killer in this hobby. 

I usually bounce between the USPS and FedEx Ground.  I have accounts with both so I can print my own shipping labels.  I run the numbers between the two all the time to get the best rate.  In general, if it's heavy and going a long way, USPS flat rate is usually best, assuming you can fit it in their flat rate boxes.  Beware though, using flat rate for light weight packages is easy but you end up overpaying most of the time.  Smarter to use your own packaging.  All bets are off when shipping outside the US.

[Brads70]

Shipping into Canada, UPS is the worst  option! I find USPS/Canada post is usually the best option, but lately it takes much longer due to the plandemic  . Post office is backed up

[anlauto]

Try living in Canada and get parts shipped here all the time

[7E-Bodies]

@anlauto I'm aware, and I feel for you guys.

[Plumcrazzy]

Talk about sticker shock  Shipped just a gauge housing (Rallye) only from WV to California for a paltry $47.50 with no insurance. Holy CRAP!!!!!!!!

[dmastr3665]

it just cost me 60.00 shipping for a set of rocker trim from Roseville to AZ, never used to be this expensive, funny thing is i also ordered a 12000 pound truck winch off ebay, $200.00, Originally from china im sure  that has to weigh close to 100 pounds and they shipped it for free? how does that work.

[anlauto]

it just cost me 60.00 shipping for a set of rocker trim from Roseville to AZ, never used to be this expensive, funny thing is i also ordered a 12000 pound truck winch off ebay, $200.00, Originally from china im sure  that has to weigh close to 100 pounds and they shipped it for free? how does that work.

The winch likely cost $19 to manufacture in China

[cudamadd]

Ya it's the most painful price most of as have to pay  because we love this hobby

[Shoooter]

Half the time shipping to Canada costs more than the part does.

[Jay Bee]

Half the time shipping to Canada costs more than the part does.

No kidding. I wanted a pair of the lower door glass stops, cheapest price was $9.99 USD with $13.25 USD shipping. Then add on the Canadian exchange rate and    I'll just silicone in my old torn ones.

[70 Challenger Lover]

I have mostly stopped selling on eBay simply because of shipping costs. Just to ship a dual snorkle air cleaner cross country is well over $50 anymore. You can have a buyer pay but obviously they bid less factoring in the shipping so it is the same in the end.

I too have a few things I need to send out for chrome or professional work and it kills me every time.

[JH27N0B]

Between shipping costs, fees and sales taxes platforms like eBay charge, perhaps we will see a resurgence of swap meets like we used to have so many more of up to 15 or 20 years ago?

[7E-Bodies]

Great idea @JH27N0B I wonder if a virtual, and perpetual swap meet could be set up in a part of this forum. People could then elect to drive a bit or agree to ship if need be. I have someone making a 6 hour trip to buy a shaker hood in a few weeks. @Cuda Cody is it possible to add something like this and call it virtual swap? I know we already have the for sale section, but...

Kevin

[70 Challenger Lover]

One thing I look forward to in So. Cal. is the Spring and Fall Fling in Van Nuys. It's large, fun and has the cars there as well as the swap. I sell there as a way of offloading large items I could never ship and it's also a great place to buy large used items that a seller could never ship. I never intend to go there making money but I always do so it's just a win all around.

Sadly, there isn't much else in the Mopar sector like it so I am forced to go dry during the shows. I'm hoping that once we retire and relocate to Tennessee, I'll be within driving distance to a lot more opportunities.

We do have a section for selling in the forum that seems to work. If there was a way to categorize stuff differently so older posts didn't get buried, that would help immensely. Not sure what it would look like but some search feature inside that only searched buy and sell? Maybe another feature to easily remove stuff that's gone? You'd always have the shipping problems of course but maybe a way around that is some sort of transportation service members could offer one another when taking long trips. For instance, I'll be making a road trip with truck and trailer from Ca. To Nashville in September so I could move a hood or rear end for someone as long as I didn't have to drive too far out of my way.