Comments on: Shipping gifts the cheapest way

By: bsimon

bsimon — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:52:59 +0000

We are also travelling east for the holidays (and expecting in April). At this point, I think our cheapest alternative is to use one large piece of luggage - we’ll have to pay $15 for the luggage anyway, so putting our clothes and gifts in one large piece will save us additional shipping costs. Just don’t go over the weight limit, which will incur another airline charge.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:23:31 +0000

I know you can ship packages via Greyhound and Amtrack, as well. I don’t know how the rates compare, but I had a roommate in college who routinely got big, bulky boxes from her parents’ home (usually clothing when the seasons changed) via Grehound.

By: anon2

anon2 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:45:24 +0000

Congratulations to you and the fam!

By: Amy F

Amy F — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:07:33 +0000

Congratulations!

By: MR

MR — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:30:18 +0000

Clearly you only wanted dedicated readers to know that you’re expecting. Congrats!

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:20:50 +0000

If you want to track the package online avoid USPS like the plague. Their online “tracking” system is completely worthless. If you’re lucky the package might end up in the system before it’s delivered.

By: Hillary

Hillary — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:13:20 +0000

since this is supposedly my area of expertise, I’ll make some guesses.

if you don’t have access to someone’s account, the post office will be equivalent or a little cheaper depending on service. I have a personal UPS account and use that (and drop off in one of their boxes around town) because the post office’s website crashes when I try to print a label.

The other important thing to consider is insurance - UPS and FedEx shipments include $100 coverage and additional insurance is less expensive than the post office’s coverage. None of these organisations lose a lot of packages, but they do lose some. If it’s important, I insure for replacement cost.

finally, postal carriers can get into all residential buildings. If you live in a house the UPS or FedEx driver will leave a package at the door unless it’s signiture required, but they can’t always get into apartment buildings.

congrats on the baby!