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How much to charge for shipping via FedEx?

D

dzoo

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How much do you charge to ship via FedEx?

I got a FedEx account, used online shipping and sent out three shipments standard overnight from PA:

3 lb. to Texas - cost $60.98
(bill said actual weight 3 lb., rated weight 8 lbs.)

2 lb. to NY - cost $36.17
(actual weight 2 lb. , rated weight 7 lbs.)

2 lb. to Nevada - cost $49

Charging someone $61.00 shipping on a 3 lb. package seems awfully high (especially since the snake was only $60) plus the cost of new box and packing materials adds another couple bucks.

Whats the deal with actual vs. rated weights?

Do some people just take some loss on the shipping charges? Just charge an average price?

Thanks for any input.
 
I charge a flat fee of $50. Some packages are more and some are less.
In the end it balances out (hopefully).
 
i was confused (and upset to be honest) when i first started shipping with fedex.

the best way to do it is to open an account and enter your info through the website (which saves you 15% on your bill!) it will then give you an option for a 'courtesy rate.' click on it and it gives you a right on amount.

the rated wieght is based on size of the box. so even if your package weighs one weight, the size of the package may dictate a charge for a different weight.

hope this helps,

aaron sullivan
 
Welcome to the world of dimensional weight (weight based on the size of the box)...at least I am guessing that is the deal with the weight variance. If you are using the same sized box in each case, I don't know the reason.

I currently charge actual shipping costs, since I haven't been shipping in high volume. (get the quote online using the box size and an approximate weight)
 
Size Is Everything !

shipping charges are based on size of pkg. and/or weight.i have stopped using deli cups for this reason,i now use bags or soxs depending on the size of the snake,this elimnates dim weight charges.have fun! TWH
 
Btw..........

..........you can get better quality boxes from vets or clinics (they throw them away) for free.they are real stryofoam with no seams,most professional herp boxes use thin bead board with seams. TWH
 
.....that's exactly what i mean,medical boxes are better insulated,stronger and FREE ! have fun
 
twh49801 said:
.....that's exactly what i mean,medical boxes are better insulated,stronger and FREE ! have fun
Click to expand...
BUT, they don't fit most people's shipping boxes, and in many cases because of the size, they are more expensive to ship.
 
most professional herp boxes use thin bead board with seams.
Click to expand...
and those seams let in a little air.... you generally don't want the box to be perfectly air tight. Keep in mind that when using heat packs they consume oxygen so you've got to let a little air in.

Those medical grade styro boxes would be great for shipping frozen rodents though or with a few punched air holes for reptiles. And probably do not require an outer box to ship.
 
One dealer I have made numerous purchases from over the years uses the formed boxes. When you are sending out large quantities of animals everyday, I'm sure it equates to a time (and therefore, money) savings - not having to assemble the boxes...but they take up an awful lot of space, lol
 
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