High cost of shipping a bow Priority Mail

[ken denton]

Mailed a 66" longbow yesterday in a lite PCV tube and it cost me $ 40.15.from tx to pa and it weighted 14 lbs. 5.70 of it was for ins.
a month ago a recurve cost me $ 50.00(oversize box).
if i had shipped the longbow with ins. UPS ground it would have cost $ 18.00. but taken 4 days.
you might be able to send it regular postage thru the Post Office for about the same.
My point is the Priority mail has gone up jan 1.
The same longbow above was costing me about $ 25.00 last year. I think i am going to try ups ground! Ken

[Bowferd]

Ken,
PVC tubes are the best protection but you must have been using schedule 80 to end up with 14 lbs.
With longbows I've used the lighter weight 160# or DWV and my cost hasn't been near that expensive. If the bow is highly R/D I use 4" diameter but with straight longbows use the 3" tubes.
I think you must have run into a newbie at the postal counter that charged you for irregular shape and oversize packaging.
I've never run into costs that high but have paid $25 before.

[jwingman]

Ken,

 They may have charged you the oversized fee if the length plus the girth is over 84 inches. If you can stay below 84 inches, it is usually about the prices you quoted. One problem is a miss understanding on the part of the postal workers to their own rules. I have had to print them out and take them in and show them a couple of times. Their system also does not know what to do with a round package like our bow tubes. That has caused me some problems.
 Good luck in the future! jwingman

[jcar315]

I agree with jwingman! In my experience it ALL depends on who you get at the Post Office. Over time I developed a good relationship with our postal workers and they would give me the benefit of the doubt. More often than not when shipping a bow.....I used UPS.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Last longbow I mailed was $11.80, plus insurance. I always use USPS Priority. As noted above, keep the dimensions below 84", and the weight down, and it should be under $20.00, in the continental U.S., and two day delivery.

[Jedimaster]

Good advice from all but it cannot be overstated that the postal worker MUST know the rules to get it right.  I learned to not try the P.O. in the town I used to live in - drove 15 miles down the road to get to a P.O. where the clerk knew what to do.  

On the other hand, I have been the victim of my own over-packaging and paid the exorbitant cost.  I'm very careful about package dimensions and weight now. (but honestly, I've never shipped a 66" one piece bow)

[A.S.]

I have experienced HUGE differences in USPS prices for identical boxes. I don't know if the agents just don't know their own rules or they just make them up as they go.

On more than a couple occasions, I have received a bow in the mail, shipping cost was right there on the box. Later I mailed the same bow, same box and it cost considerably more $$.

I just don't get it????

[Rob DiStefano]

for longbows, the way to go is 3" DRAIN pipe - very light, great protection and a 10' section is $7 from lowes ... if you get a pair of pipes, the leftover pieces dovetail together and make another shipping tube, so 3 really good longbow shipping tubes for $14.

[JRY309]

That was a heavy pipe,like others I ship mine in a 3" drain pipe.It cost less and usally weighs less then 5#.And you need to keep your packages under 84" total,that is length plus girth or there will be an oversize charge.I shipped one bow in the heavier schedule 40 pipe and it was over 10# and did cost about $10 higher.A 3" drain pipe is lighter and still offers great protection.I always weigh and measure my packages before I get there and I'll know pretty close to what the shipping will be.

[AdamH]

Hey Ken, stop sellin so many buddy, I did, my cost went way down !!! {Yes, Smile goes here} ... Also, I use Carpet tubes, never had a Problem Yet ...

[Bowferd]

I prefer to recieve my funds via PayPal because I can package and know my exact shipping charges before heading to the post office.
Also delivery confirmation is free if you print your label from the PayPal site.

[Archer Fanatic]

I just mailed an oversize recurve last Fri. to Ala. with insurance and tracking number through the Post Office with 2 day delivery for $16.25.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Archer Fanatic:
I just mailed an oversize recurve last Fri. to Ala. with insurance and tracking number through the Post Office with 2 day delivery for $16.25.

what kind of packaging, what did it weigh and what were the dimensions?  my guess is ... a cardboard box?

[Froggy]

Carpet tubes seem to be as tough as PVC. Plus they are free... I sent a longbow recently USPS Priority. When the clerk first wieghed it, she said the total was $34 and change. I sent it in the same carpet tube I recieved it in, and the cost to me was $18 Priority. She showed me the printout, the weight showed 11 lbs plus. I told her that it shouldn't weigh over 4lbs, she re weighed and sure enough it was 4 on the dot. She couldn't explain why it happened. I can only imagine how many go through with the wrong weight such as this, and folks pay more than they should. Ended up it cost me right at $19 to send it to PA. Keep it under 84" or they will hit you with the balloon fee. Get on USPS website and calculate your package so you will have a close estimate and no surprises at the PO......  Good Luck !!

Froggy

[vermonster13]

One thing I like about the USPS is if it's Priority Insured it has to be signed for, UPS just leaves it at the front door.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by vermonster13:
One thing I like about the USPS is if it's Priority Insured it has to be signed for, UPS just leaves it at the front door.

you can request that ups require a delivery signature.

[Bowferd]

I haven't found a suitable package to ship recurves. I do use as heavy cardboard box that I can find and carefully reinforce the tips.

I hear all the gander from people saying they won't ship in anything but a PVC tube.
Show me a tube that a recurve will fit in.

[vermonster13]

For an additional $4 if you request it be an adult that signs.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I just shipped a bear super mag and had to get a 6" piece of pipe. The pipe cost me more than shipping priority

[AdamH]

Signed for only if it's insured for over $200.00 ...