spunkybaby
12-27-2011, 04:00 PM
I bought some coats online and need to send them back for an exchange (my mom and sister need different sizes/colors). What is the best option for shipping w/tracking from CA to IL?
The customer service rep recommended that I put the coats back in the plastic shipping envelope they came in (she said it is cheaper than shipping a box and thought that UPS should be no more than $9). The envelope measures about 13" x 16" x 3" (hard to measure since it's a little puffy) and weighs about 4 lbs. I think I could probably squish the coats into a medium Priority Mail flat rate box at the post office.
For "declared value," do you enter the price you paid or the replacement cost? I had a 30% off coupon code, so the price I paid for both jackets is $189, but if the package gets lost, I would need to pay $270 to replace the jackets.
Here are my choices:
(1) Neighborhood shipping store with several options (USPS, UPS, FedEx)--super convenient but probably higher rates. Can also drop off packages there for pickup.
(2) Post office - Priority Mail Med. flat rate box is $10.95 but would need to add tracking ability. Insurance for $200 is $2.85. Insurance for $270 is $4.75. What services should I add for tracking ability? Delivery confirmation? Certified mail?
(3) FedEx - I think the cost would be $14.07 for a declared value of either $200 or $270. Is there a benefit to creating an online account? Should I prepay online and drop it off at the local shipping store or go to the in-town FedEx World Service Center?
(4) UPS - I think the cost would be $14.93 for a declared value of $200 and $15.83 for a declared value of $270. Should I prepay online and drop off at the local shipping store? Are the prices the same/cheaper at the UPS Store and the UPS Customer Care Center? (UPS store is local; I would have to drive 20 minutes to the UPS Customer Care Center.)
Thanks for any help you can provide. I almost never ship things and feel pretty confused. I am a little hesitant to pay online since I'm not sure if I'm measuring this puffy envelope accurately, so I would feel better about going somewhere and having the rep help me measure/assess my package.
The customer service rep recommended that I put the coats back in the plastic shipping envelope they came in (she said it is cheaper than shipping a box and thought that UPS should be no more than $9). The envelope measures about 13" x 16" x 3" (hard to measure since it's a little puffy) and weighs about 4 lbs. I think I could probably squish the coats into a medium Priority Mail flat rate box at the post office.
For "declared value," do you enter the price you paid or the replacement cost? I had a 30% off coupon code, so the price I paid for both jackets is $189, but if the package gets lost, I would need to pay $270 to replace the jackets.
Here are my choices:
(1) Neighborhood shipping store with several options (USPS, UPS, FedEx)--super convenient but probably higher rates. Can also drop off packages there for pickup.
(2) Post office - Priority Mail Med. flat rate box is $10.95 but would need to add tracking ability. Insurance for $200 is $2.85. Insurance for $270 is $4.75. What services should I add for tracking ability? Delivery confirmation? Certified mail?
(3) FedEx - I think the cost would be $14.07 for a declared value of either $200 or $270. Is there a benefit to creating an online account? Should I prepay online and drop it off at the local shipping store or go to the in-town FedEx World Service Center?
(4) UPS - I think the cost would be $14.93 for a declared value of $200 and $15.83 for a declared value of $270. Should I prepay online and drop off at the local shipping store? Are the prices the same/cheaper at the UPS Store and the UPS Customer Care Center? (UPS store is local; I would have to drive 20 minutes to the UPS Customer Care Center.)
Thanks for any help you can provide. I almost never ship things and feel pretty confused. I am a little hesitant to pay online since I'm not sure if I'm measuring this puffy envelope accurately, so I would feel better about going somewhere and having the rep help me measure/assess my package.