Anyone wanna compare fedex shipping prices? Did I get played?

Ok, I was side swiped recently through fedex. I shipped my first large snake a few months ago and got hit for a bill of $85.28. Does this seem a little high to anyone? I read the other day that shipping is negotiable with your representative. Are they just gonna hit you for the max if you don't try to talk them down? I called to pay the bill and they just played stupid about it, the same way they did when I got certified and I asked them for the account number to charge it to. I ended up paying over $45 to have a package tested.

Anyway, the package I sent was sent priority overnight:

Actual weight 7lbs
Rated weight 12lbs
Box size 13"x13"x13"

Transportation charge $76.10
Fuel surcharge $6.68
Residential Delivery $2.50

Total $85.28


Does anyone have anything I can compare this to? It just seems wrong.

Thanks

I can't directly compare to your shipment, but I do know that when I first set up my FedEx account and spoke to my local rep, I was initially granted a 15% discount off published rates (I didn't even discuss discounts with her, she did this on her own to her credit). One year after that though, my discount was decreased because my volume is so low.

It may be just a matter of having an excellent rep vs one not-so-excellent.

We can't offer an accurate comparison using our accounts without your zip code and the zip code the package was sent to.

That being said, I shipped 12 or 14, I don't remember which, adult cornsnakes for a friend of mine for a breeder loan a couple of years ago and the charge was 85 or 90 dollars. That was before the last couple of rate increases.
I can't recall how much the box weighed, but I know I was surprised by the charge, since at the time my packages were averaging $45 or so.

Thanks for the help guys.

My zip was 23505 and the destination was 30144. I was thinking the difference of the actual weight and "rated" weight might have been because it was a larger, lighter box. I know some shippers inflate the price on size when the package is light Ballon rate I think they call it.

Originally Posted by Focal X

Thanks for the help guys.

My zip was 23505 and the destination was 30144. I was thinking the difference of the actual weight and "rated" weight might have been because it was a larger, lighter box. I know some shippers inflate the price on size when the package is light Ballon rate I think they call it.

Yep, it's called 'dimensional weight', based on the area of the packaging.

Just plugging the details into FedEx, with no account number - dropped off, residential delivery, no signature required:

FedEx Priority Overnight® 109.23
FedEx Standard Overnight® 100.54

Using the zip codes, box dimensions, and weight you provided, the same package on my FedEx account is $88.95 for priority overnight.

*with the following noted:

More information about your results:

Dimensional Weight of your package(s) was used to calculate your rate.

FedEx Priority Overnight®
Base rate 96.55
Additional charges (+)
+ Residential surcharge 2.75
+ Fuel surcharge 9.93
Total 109.23


FedEx Standard Overnight®
Base rate 88.65
Additional charges (+)
+ Residential surcharge 2.75
+ Fuel surcharge 9.14
Total 100.54

For reference, FedEx changed their formula they use to calculate dimensional weight the first of the year.
Previously it was LxWxH/194 and now it's LxWxH/166

That means dimensional weight had in essence increased, since they are now calculating a higher weight for a given box size.