Like a lot of guys here, I'm always sendin' stuff to fellow tankers and because I have one of those click-n-ship dealies and I use paypal it's always been $5.25 when I send a small flat rate box via USPS, but I just did a label (same way I always do it) and got charged $6.80!!

Has anyone else noticed an increase?

It's probably been all over the news or something and I just missed it due to hibernation.

OK, I found it. Rates went up about a week ago. They said flat rate boxes would go up about 50 cents, but for me it was a $1.55 increase for a small box. The cost of helping guys out just got a lot higher.

So I guess from now shipping on small stuff is $7 instead of the $6 it used to be. Bummer.

Last week, I stopped getting bulk discount, which raises each package about 20%.

It's great, China subsidizes their Chinapost, the US leaves the USPS out to dry.

I've been selling and shipping slot cars lately and have noticed the increase as compared to last month.

It's my fault.

I shoot competitively and cast my own bullets. I buy lead online from rotometals.com. They ship using flat rate boxes. Pretty funny to pick up a medium flat rate box and discover it weighs 50 pounds.

It's like when kids used to glue quarters to the floor.

Steve

I've been selling a lot of stuff lately and was informed of the slight increase. BUT, compare it to UPS and you'll be greatly surprised how much more affordable USPS is!

Sold a lot of my surplus tank projects and 1/18 collectible aircraft too... USPS is STILL the way to go!




Jeff

Yes China has us covered. They build everything and they subsidize their postal service to get it to us. The recent developments at ebay are nearly killing US retailer exports and I am not sure people are aware of it. I can buy stuff from China and 9 times out of 10 shipping is free. I buy from a US retailer who uses the ebay Global shipping program, and the cost incurred are prohibitive. Something that would normal cost $7 to ship and incur no import duties now is subject to eBay's program which includes about a $20 charge, plus some bogus import prepayment of about $7, meaning the purchase of a $12 item has about $27 in shipping added. Well guess what, stuff I can buy form China and Europe cost me $7 in postage. Where do you think my money is going? eBay becoming the middle man in the shipping process is killing sales outside of the USA. I don't know how many times in the past month there has been an Item I have wanted from a US ebay retailer and I have simply passed and purchased elsewhere because of this program. Luckily a lot of times, I can find it at another US retailer who ships direct and not through ebay, and get it to my door for $7.00

Just wanted to make people who may be using the "eBay Global shipping program" aware of the cost being incurred by their customers when they choose to do so. In some cases this may be turning customers somewhere else.

So the eBay, "Ship through us and we will Look after everything" is probably going to do more harm to your export sales then help them. I am sure the USPS click and ship has online customs form that take 30 seconds to fill out. So if you are a US seller and you opt for the Ebay Global shipping program, chances are people outside the US who are looking at cost to their door and buying somewhere else. For my own selfish reasons I wish people would take notice of this and opt to ship stuff outside the "ebay": shipping program. Realistically they are taking a $7, 30 second customs form filling exercise and adding about $20 to it. On small items it just doesn't fly.

That is ridiculous Dan, I agree.

I just got a 1/72 Revell Uboat from the UK that was $18 shipping with the exchange rate added. That's a 3 foot long box inside two outer boxes.

In terms of China, I've been sending a bunch of money that way for a while now. I try to buy local, then in country, but when I can get 4 brass couplings shipped from Hong Kong for less than USPS 1 oz parcel from NY to NJ, let alone the fact that it's 20% the price available here, it's hard to stick to it.

Even with Hobby King, I can order a bunch of small stuff, pay $3 shipping from HK and wait 10 days, or use their USA warehouses, pay about 10-20% more in pricing, add $8 shipping and still have to wait 7 days.

When imported Voyager, I also looked into designing my own PE kits. Not even getting into the product itself, my wholesale on some complete Voyager kits was less than just the empty packaging cost me in the States.

I use flat rate boxes to ship concrete zombie statues. It's fun to watch the scales creek.

'tis the season.

US does subsidize USPS. In fact, given past financial woes, the only reason it is still around is because it's the only constitutionally mandated service organization in the US. The government can't shut it down and let UPS, FEDEX or DHL take over.

China's rates are lower because their wages are much lower. The USPS is unionized with much higher wages and benefits. I'll keep USPS, though; they're the only shipping organization that has reasonable rates to get stuff overseas to military and diplomatic folks living there.

Yes we were hit hard as well. It happens though
Our shipping prices will not increase though. Luckily the big stuff we ship via FedEx
They also removed the online discount for business too!

Don't get me wrong. I am saying the USPS and Canada Post are excellent. Ebay uses Fedex, and probably why the cost is higher. I use the postal services of both countries with complete confidence

I make those 1/16 scale 55 gallon fuel drums out of solid steel and they weigh about a pound each and I can put ten of them in a small flat rate box. That got me a few weird looks at the post office.

But USPS is still the way to go for me, too. I have an account now so I can print labels and pay with paypal and up to a medium flat rate box will fit in my big mailbox and the mailman picks it up right here at the house. Just not having to drive down to the post office or the UPS store is invaluable.

I love having a dedicated shipping department to receive/ship my packages Everyone always get confused on whether they are returns or not so they have to come ask me a few times a week lol.

LOL!! I know what you mean.

I get my supplies from Buffalo Arms (Lyman #2 ingots) and I usually get 50lbs cause it's all I can pick up and still have something left to make it to the recliner afterwards...

Terry

Hi Guys,
you should try and get things sent to Australia. International postage to here costs an arm and a leg. Not to mention the exchange rate !

On the other hand, postage FROM Australia is pretty reasonable for me. When Kevin sent my 9XR it was only about $15US for postage. The same parcel from Asiatam would've run more than 40 bucks.

And the exchange rate depends on what side of the coin you're on. For you it's bad, but when I buy stuff from places like Oz Armor it can be a very good deal for me. This is also a GREAT time for US guys to buy in Europe, as the US dollar is super strong against the euro right now.

But there's frustration for me, too, when I think that the pair of halftracks I paid over $500 for a couple years ago can now he had for less than $200 each, including shipping!

So I guess it's just one more reason I'm so impressed by the work you guys are doing down under. You do have some disadvantages in the international marketplace, but you still have such wonderful toys.

And one more thing you can feel good about, My Aussie Friend, is neither one of us has to pay VAT!

Who ever thought tanking would lead us to the world of International Financing? Greatest Hobby Ever!!