Question for U.S. sellers who ship internationally

[suesjools]

Finally got around to checking the USPS website for postal rate increases as of Jan. 2012, and while domestic priority mail isn't too bad, the international priority mail rate is going through the roof, (almost a $4 increase for the small box, yikes!)

I'd love to use an alternative (cheaper) reliable delivery service for international shipping, if anyone knows of one. I always ship using boxes, not padded envelopes, as with jewelry I'm concerned about fragility issues, especially when it's traveling some distance.

Thanks for any and all info. and happy holidaze/many sales to all,

[iwiw60]

Sue, the post I made earlier is entitled "EquaShip Lowers Shipping Rates as Online Sellers" ... sorry for the mis-spelling!

[terry5732]

The small flat rate box is silly to use for light stuff - use first class up to four pounds

[JanetB]

The small flat rate box is silly to use for light stuff - use first class up to four pounds

Indeed, First class mail is the cheapest option.

Check the regular Priority Mail (using your own blank boxes with PM stickers) against the Flat rate Priority boxes - prices can vary quite a bit.

[suesjools]

Indeed, First class mail is the cheapest option.

Check the regular Priority Mail (using your own blank boxes with PM stickers) against the Flat rate Priority boxes - prices can vary quite a bit.

Don't have boxes, that's the thing, and the main reason I use PM.

Mary, I checked EquaShip and it's not much cheaper versus USPS rates, at least not for smalls.

There's a business venture for an enterprising soul.

I'll keep nosing around, you never know what you might bump into.

Happy holidaze and many sales to all,

[plantsfish]

As far as I know you cannot use 1st class for international mail unless you go into the post office. I have tried USPS.com and Paypal.com and as far as I can recall they will not let me do 1st class online with them. Am I mistaken?

[JanetB]

As far as I know you cannot use 1st class for international mail unless you go into the post office. I have tried USPS.com and Paypal.com and as far as I can recall they will not let me do 1st class online with them. Am I mistaken?

I tried 1st class mail online in the past and it was not available, so I have to go to the PO every time.

[plantsfish]

I tried 1st class mail online in the past and it was not available, so I have to go to the PO every time.

Yea I thought so. Cause I could not figure out how do to it. Heck even priority mail international seems to take up to 2 weeks to get to its destination. The one positive thing is I have noticed the international buyers who have bought from me in the past seem to be willing to pay the extremely high international postage rates. But then again who knows how many sales I am missing out on due to these rates as well. An extra $4 is a lot to ugh.

[terry5732]

Don't have boxes, that's the thing, and the main reason I use PM.

,

Your 'free' priority boxes are gonna cost you about ten bucks each

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/...rrugated-Boxes

[plantsfish]

Your 'free' priority boxes are gonna cost you about ten bucks each

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/...rrugated-Boxes

Better be lined with silver then.