USPS retail ground seems to be the way to go – figured out what the largest box they will allow, and seller says saddle should fit. Found a box at Home Depot - 24x24x34. Hopefully saddle will arrive soon…
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USPS is the way to go. The only issue I’ve ever had are with weird addresses that don’t validate. For whatever reason USPS has wayyyy more issues than UPS on that one.
What about trying a pallet? Like an R&L Carrier… I can ship a set of tires for $80 shrink wrapped to a pallet. Obviously I wouldn’t shrink wrap a saddle… but you could put the box on a pallet no problems.
Yeah - seller’s first mistake was going to a UPS Store. They are NOT UPS, they are a franchise and as such their rates can be insanely high.
I’d certainly wonder how in the in h*ll shipping came to $360?!?!?! Even with insurance for a $$$$$ saddle, unless you are in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, or Alaska, I can’t imagine how they possibly could get a rate that high. Plus $120 to package it? I can only guess the store was using a completely oversized box and then tons of material to fill it to get a huge bloat rate.
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My saddle fitter told me that if you print off the shipping label at home from the UPS site that it will be much cheaper than bringing it to the store.
That said, I have shipped maybe 2 or 3 saddles with USPS. All no more than $80 inc. insurance. And actually a tip from a USPS employee – those were all shipped priority. But he told me that if you’re not in a hurry, you can ship certified and much more insurance is automatically included, making it significantly cheaper. The only catch is – wait for it – you can’t use regular “plastic” tape on a certified package. You have to use tape with a paper backing. Who knew?
