The key to saving money on shipping Christmas gift is to know your dates and when you need to have your gifts send out by to save the most. Where possible, ship packages by ground as upgrading to air and cost you up to five times more.
General domestic standard ground-shipping deadlines for a package to reach its destination by December 25 are typically:
* U.S. Postal Service (parcel post): at least 7 to 10 days before December 25.
* United Parcel Service (UPS): December 13.
* Federal Express: December 16. The U.S. Postal Service is the cheapest of the three, but note that they don’t offer free tracking or deals on insurance on the shipping of ground packages, as the others do.
(Please note that these dates are general guidelines only and it is always best to check to avoid disappointment.)
Watch your weight
A box that weighs one pound, for example, costs under $5 to ship from coast to coast with U.S. Postal Service ground. If it weighs 10 pounds, the price rises to close to $20, with a box weighing 20 pounds coming in closer to $30. My feeling on insurance is not to bother unless you’re shipping something expensive or with sentimental value.
If you do opt for air shipping, try to pack gifts in the smallest box possible. That said two inches of cushioning isn’t a bad idea either for fragile items. It’s a real balancing act though as you’re charged by size as well as weight.
Flat as an envelope
The flatter the better is my motto for last minute gifts. Consider books, DVDs, CDs, gift cards, gloves, and scarves as long as it fits in a flat-rate envelope and can be sent no later than 3 days before Christmas.
Free shipping?
When shopping consider online retailers who offer free shipping. You may end up paying slightly more for your gifts but the shipping savings can really add up. Most online retailers only offer free shipping during select time periods so do your homework first.
Note also that some online retailers always offer free shipping (and deep discounts) on all purchases during select times while other retailers offer free shipping only when you reach a certain spending level so it may be wise to consolidate as many purchases as possible.
Published by Sherrie Le Masurier on November 21, 2006 12:52 PM
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