[Grave's Guides] Mailing Real Life Items

Well, as many of you have noticed there is a "Real Life Items" section now.
Many people I came across have never used the post office before, and needed help.
This guide shows how to mail an item, estimate shipping cost, and will teach you some other useful things.

For this guide, I will be using the United States Postal Services.

How is the price calculated?

The price of postage is based on the "zone", the weight, and the size.

What are Zones?
Zones are a way to calculate the distance between the two locations an item is being sent.
The lower the Zone number, the closer the locations are. If you ship an item to your own zip code, it is Zone 1.

Does weight matter?
Weight does not play a big role if you are shipping small items.
If your item is one pound, it will cost the same price to ship it anywhere in the US.
TIP: Always get priority mail if your item is less than one pound and small, because it will only cost 5 cents more than regular shipping but is much faster.

How about the size?
The size isn't that important as well, as long as it isn't massive.
A normal size would be smaller than the size of a regular backpack.
A "massive" box would be similar to a desktop computer box, or larger.

What is tracking?

Tracking number is a number that can track where the package is.
This is absolutely required as evidence of sending an item.
Also get signature confirmation if you want the buyer to sign that they received the package.
Insurance usually costs around $2 for a low-cost item, and isn't really helpful.

How fast can it go?

There are a variety of different ways you can post an item.

1. Parcel Post - This is the "regular" type of shipping, and takes about 7 days. If you live in the same state it will take 2-3 days.
2. Media Mail - This can only be used to ship books, games, and other "media" items. It is about half the price of Parcel.
3. Priority Mail - Costs about 1/3 more than Parcel, but is much faster. Ships within 3 days. One day if you're in the same state.
4. Express Mail - A terrific way to waste your money. Guaranteed overnight shipping, but burns a hole through your wallet.
5. International - I would suggest using flat rate boxes for all international sales; saves you money.

International.

If you are shipping international, don't forget:
- The person will most likely be charged unless it is sent as a gift.
- You must fill out a form at the post office.

I need boxes...

Yes, you do. Boxes cost around $1 each at Walmart.

If you plan on shipping stuff using priority or express mail, order them free online.
How? Just visit the USPS website by clicking here, and order free boxes!

How do I ship it?

1. Online - Simply visit www.usps.com and print a shipping label. You'll need flat rate boxes to do this. They're free to order on their website. Once you print your shipping label, tape it onto the box and schedule a pick-up online. This is perfect because the computer does all the work for you, and you don't have to go to the post office. The only problem is you can't do Parcel shipping like this.

2. Post Office - Just take your box to the post office, and wait in line. You'll need to have your box already sealed, and need the addresses written on there.

Here's how you should have your addresses written on the box:
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
YOUR CITY, YOUR STATE ZIP CODE

BUYER'S NAME
BUYER'S ADDRESS
BUYER'S CITY, BUYER'S STATE ZIP CODE​

How much will it cost?

Below is the "ideal" prices of shipping some items...

A Video Game - $5
iPod/PSP - $5
Game Console - $15
Computer - $30
Big Computer - $40

Shipping Tips from Grave
1. Save the box when you buy an item. It's useful for re-selling it later.
2. Always get the smallest box possible, it will save you money.
3. When you receive a box from someone else, keep it. You can re-use it as long as it's not Priority Mail.
4. Ship it early. Take it to the post office in the morning, so it ships that day. If you ship it late, it may be delayed until the next day. When you place it in your mailbox, it will be shipped later because it won't reach the post office until the mailman is done delivering everything.
5. Don't pack something like an idiot. You want it to be in the CENTER of the box with Styrofoam around it.
6. Use media mail or priority mail for games, movies, and small books. Media mail is cheaper than regular shipping, and Priority will cost the same since the item is small.
7. Don't ship money in high amounts. Use the post office's money sending feature. It's a safe way to send money, guaranteed to get to the other person.
8. When you ship something internationally and it's above $50 or so, the buyer may be charged customs, unless you mark it as a gift.
9. Once you ship an item, there's no way to get it back. Keep that in mind. There's also no way to prove what you shipped.
10. When you get insurance for an item, let the buyer know. If the buyer opens the box, the insurance is void. The buyer must open the box in front of the mail man or at the post office for the insurance to be valid. The buyer should do this if they see that the box is damaged. Insurance is pretty much useless, except for when a package gets lost, which is almost never.
11. Order Priority Flat Rate Boxes from the post office. They a few weeks to get delivered to you, so order them as soon as possible. They're free. I always use these to ship because I can do it from my computer as long as I have a credit or debit card. This way I don't have to walk to the post office every day.

Useful Links
Calculate Shipping Cost
Zone Chart
Print a Shipping Label
Request Carrier Pickup
Track your Package
Apply for your Passport
Cheap plane ticket to Mexico
Rick Roll

I'll add more information if I remember anything, or see any questions posted.

 

Hmm good guide i found it really interesting pictures would have been better but not necessary still 9/10

 

Do you really need pictures to know how to mail an item? What are you, 1st grade?



I liked it. Taught me a lot.. Thanks.

 

Has some good links worth using. I always forget where to get the boxes. :S

 

I would just use Fed-Ex or UPS... You can track your package with that... This guide would be kinda better if it had some colors for the titles and just make it look slightly better, which in turn makes it kinda easier to read. Although, I do like the content. Its pretty good.

 

You can track your package with USPS too. USPS is much cheaper because it is government operated, but using UPS is better for HUGE packages. USPS is also faster than UPS since they bring you mail every day anyway.

I guess I'll add color and pictures later, since two people requested it, even though it's not necessary.

 

Nice guide, I actually learned something... 7/10

 

Thanks. I'll be making more guides in the near future so check back.

 

good guide, im sendn somethn to a freind about 2500 miles away, dident know how before thanks

 

No problem. If it's international don't forget about customs. Send it as a gift.

 

Thanks... helped me send my psp to NY.

 

very Very good Guide.
I Did so Far 2 Legit Real Life Trades.
I Plan on Doing more. The Biggest problem people face is how to ship.
Statistically showing, Sythe's majority population is between the ages of 12-16.
Thanks for The Guide Dude.
Very Very Descriptive. There is No need for pictures.

 

I was actually looking for a guide like this, thanks a lot man

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

Would anyone like something added?