Choosing the Best Shipping Method for Books
By Larry Filato
There are a variety of shipping methods for your books; depending on the time factor and destination they can vary greatly in cost.
USPS
You have the traditional method which many people use: the good ol’ Post Office (USPS). The services range from bulk rate or media mail to next day.
They offer a variety of products that are available for free, like priority flat rate envelopes or boxes with choice of different sizes depending on what you are shipping.
Media Mail
If you’re not in a hurry and you are shipping (books), media mail is the least expensive method. Normal delivery time would be six to ten business days in the continental US. I do recommend adding the delivery confirmation or insurance if what you’re shipping has value.
How to Pack Books
If you are packing books, keep them away from the corners; use newspaper or packing paper to keep them in the center of the box. The post office can be quite rough with this method of shipping.
Priority Mail
Next in line is priority mail. If you need air delivery, flat rate is a bargain compared to other methods or shippers and delivery time is normally two to three days. Be aware that there are weight restrictions to the flat rate parcels. You can also use your own packaging and the rate will vary on weight and destination.
For more info visit www.usps.com.
Privately-Owned Mail Delivery Services
We have a privately-owned mail delivery service in our town and it is a good alternative to the post office. There you can get UPS or FedEx services and they have a variety of packaging materials.
UPS and FedEx
There are advantages in using UPS or FedEx. One of them is that they have standard $100 insurance on all their packages and if you need more for a small fee it is well worth it. Another nice feature is that you can track your package on www.ups.com or www.fedex.com.
Shipping Tip
Always give yourself plenty of time when shipping packages. The normal delivery time coast-to-coast is five business days. If you’re in a pinch, UPS and FedEx have 3-day select (UPS) or express saver (FedEx) or sooner depending on your need but it can get quite pricey when you go 2nd day or next day. For an additional charge they can do AM delivery, but I suggest planning well n advance; it’s easier on your pocket book.
Larry Filato is the WinePress Group warehouse manager and has been serving our authors and customers for four years.
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