Questions about UPS stores

[Xeth]

I want to ship something via UPS 2nd day air, and I'm wondering if:

1) Do UPS stores give out those express boxes for free (UPS website says they are free for any air service), even if you don't ship at the store right away?
and
2) If I do ship at the store is there a surcharge and/or sales tax on top of what I would pay by printing the label myself?

Given the shipping charge will be well over $50 I'd like to avoid surcharges/taxes as much as I can.

Thanks

 

[bufodr_T]

the ups store gives nothing for free. they rip your ass. if you have a box that fits use it. if not go to usps.com or your local post office and get free boxes there for free

 

[SolidBladez]

the ups store gives nothing for free. they rip your ass. if you have a box that fits use it. if not go to usps.com or your local post office and get free boxes there for free

Does UPS (or FedEx) allow using another carrier's box? I've always been wrapping mine in brown paper and then putting the postage over that.

 

[Oldie]

if not go to usps.com or your local post office and get free boxes there for free

Then ship them via USPS right? If you're advocating anything else, please don't say so as discussing things like that is not allowed on this forum.

 

[bufodr_T]

Then ship them via USPS right? If you're advocating anything else, please don't say so as discussing things like that is not allowed on this forum.

Yes. USPS is the cheapest way to ship for me and the boxes r free. Flat rate boxes r the way to go for the smaller items.

 

[MantisIT]

---

 

[Crazy Chuckster]

It's illegal to use the USPS flat rate boxes for anything other than shipping with USPS. They even tell you this on the box.

^ this

You cant even turn them inside out because they are marked on the inside as well.

Besides, flat rate boxes are some of the cheapest shipping solutions available.

 

[SolidBladez]

It's illegal to use the USPS flat rate boxes for anything other than shipping with USPS. They even tell you this on the box.

Yes, I knew that. I was questioning on how bufodr_T got away with it or further explained his reasoning. I've had some sellers send me a Priority Mail box with a Parcel Post postage.. you would think the clerk would have checked that.

I've found that USPS is great for light packages (~2 lbs) and international (duh!). FedEx for anything greater than 2 lbs.

 

[efektZ]

The UPS stores are going to add tax because it is a retail location. There are no surcharges for taking it to a UPS store but they are going to try to upsell you out the ass. Printing the label will save you time since they just scan it and you leave but tax will already be calculated either in the postage or during the online transaction. I do not remember the stores carrying the express boxes just the normal retail ones they sale. They tend to be insanely price at $10 for a big box.

If you are after a box the easiest thing to do is go to Wal-mart or Target when they are stocking and take your pick at what they have. As long as they aren't boxes that give credit for return then they will often let you take them. I have 20+ boxes for anything I may ship at the future from one midnight run.

The first portion is probably the only thing useful, but the second one may help since you mentioned boxes.

 

[Starrbuck]

The last four or five things I have shipped, all over the US and one to Canada, USPS has been the least expensive. I've checked prices with USPS, UPS, and FedEx.