Unfortunately, the web can’t always help me to completely get around the expense of shipping a package (though it sometimes can). Whether you only send parcels during the holidays or find yourself loading outgoing boxes into your truck everyday as part of your business, you can do a few things to hold down your expenses.
Here are five tips for saving on shipping costs. All of the work. All of them are pretty simple. None of them require you to invest a dime up front to realize the savings. So, without further ado, here a few things that might help you to save money on shipping.
Comparison shop. The post office doesn’t have the same rates as UPS. UPS doesn’t match FedEx. It pays to compare and contrast price tags to find the cheapest way to get stuff from here to there, no matter where here and there happen to be. Use the handy-dandy websites these companies operate to calculate shipping costs. It only takes a few minutes.
Piggyback. You might end up in the unemployment line if you try to send Aunt Mable’s Christmas gift by using your employer’s Federal Express account. However, you might be able to use that account in a perfectly legal way. Shipping companies do offer special rate plans for employees of their business customers. The billing is separate, but you might end up getting better rates than you would as a “mere individual”.
Get an account representative. If you do a lot of shipping for business purposes, talk to your preferred vendor about getting a dedicated account representative. They can hook you up with someone on their end who can help you to find the best ways to ship your packages without spending more than you need to spend. The shippers have people around to help. Utilize the resource.
Shipping codes and specials. If you want to avoid the whole mess, you can buy merchandise online and find deals that involve free shipping. Yes, I know. The shipping isn’t really “free”. It’s built into the price. I’m clued into that whole “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” deal. However, you can cut the bottom-line price tag down quite a bit when you find these special deals and discount codes.
Use the right boxes. Most shippers have flat rate boxes. If you pick out a box that’s larger than what you really need, you’re spending too much. If you can find a way to effectively organize multiple items into a single box, you can save a fair chunk of change, too. Take the extra few minutes to make the best possible choice.
Plan ahead. It’s okay to spend a little extra when it “positively, absolutely needs to be there overnight”. With a little planning, however, it’s possible to avoid many of those urgent situations. Don’t wait until the last minute to send packages. If you’re thinking ahead, you can use cheaper service options. The price difference between “it has to be there by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow” and “two weeks would be fine” can be the difference between budet-busting and downright cheap.
You might as well save money whenever and wherever you can. Shipping is one area in which almost all of us spend a little coin. With a bit of thinking and effort, we can reduce the price of sending care packages to the kids, presents to mom or a fruit cake to good ol’ Aunt Mable.
