Was wandering if there are any tips or tricks to mailing a cue. Are there any flat postage boxes that anyone uses? Last time I shipped, it was like 33 bucks? Gotta be a easier way. I think UPS just came out with some flat rate.
Thanks,
Red
USPS Priority Mail is usually the cheapest way, but I like FED EX Ground / Home Delivery service much more, because the tracking is much better, and they actually guarantee a delivery date, unlike Priority Mail, which has no guarantee.
FED EX Ground / Home Delivery is also pretty fast, in my experience.
For example, if you are mailing something that is in the next state over, or maybe within your same state, then it might get delivered in 1 business day.
USPS, nor any of the other carriers that I know of offer a flat rate for pool cues.
USPS Priority Mail is by far the cheapest, in my experience.
I have mailed cues for under $10 in the past, and that includes the cost of the tube, which is free (the Triangle Priority Mail tube that USPS offers, which is around 32/6/6 inches). Might have to order the tube though, and they are free to order at USPS.com, because the post office sometimes runs out of them.
I usually go to like a Family Dollar, and buy like 3 rolls of bubble wrap for a $1 each (Dollar General charges $1.60 each for theirs), and that is plenty enough bubble wrap to secure a pool cue in one of those Priority Mail tubes that USPS offers for free.
Then depending on how valuable the cue is, the Insurance cost might be expensive.
Insure the cue only for the amount that you can prove the cue is worth.
The total cost for USPS Priority Mail will be cheaper then any other service you can find, but FED EX Ground or Home Delivery has only cost maybe $5-$7 more in my experience, shipping cues valued under $200, and still under $20 total.