<p>We’ll be shipping items from West Coast to mid-west. I’d appreciate advice on shipping cartons…what kind, how to obtain? And shipping options…USPS? UPS? Other? Thanks!</p>
<p>FedEx Ground is pretty cheap. You can get a good estimate online if you can guess the weight fairly close. That’s how we always ship our kid’s stuff from coast to coast.</p>
<p>Thanks! And what did you use for shipping cartons?</p>
<p>I agree with the FedEx Ground recommendation. If this is for shipping items to college, remember less is more! Also if you are flying and can minimize enough for checking 2 bags each on an airline, the airline baggage fee may be less than shipping charges. FedEx and UPS sell boxes.</p>
<p>Maybe this will work for you. I’ve heard other posters recommend this company on cc. These companies will supply the boxes.
<a href=“http://www.collegeboxes.com/cb-com/global/aboutus/school.seam?s=universityshipping”>http://www.collegeboxes.com/cb-com/global/aboutus/school.seam?s=universityshipping</a></p>
<p>I have personally used this company for shipping during move out because our college had a contract with this company, but maybe they are not suited for move in. This company supplied the boxes, which were so big (size of a large uhaul box) that the weight was like 80 lbs!
<a href=“https://www.allcollegestorage.com/”>College moving, storage & shipping made simple | Dorm Room Movers;
<p>If you ship books, send then USPS book rate. Takes a long time, but dirt cheap.</p>
<p>gmfl71 - are you talking about dorm stuff? Just in case your are and because your post count is low, you need to be know that places like Bed Bath and Beyond will allow you to order your dorm supplies locally and then pick them up close to your child’s college. If it is dorm stuff you are sending, make sure to contact the college mail room to understand their receiving criteria.</p>
<p>Stop by your local UPS store and try to understand their pricing criteria. The size and weight of the box matters to them so just make sure you aren’t shipping a whole bunch of boxes that are one inch or one pound into a higher freight rate. </p>
<p>I am lucky to have an actual UPS distribution center with a customer window not to far away and have found their rates to be noticeably lower than the UPS franchise stores.</p>
<p>If you are shipping something small, but really heavy then the flat rate boxes from the US post office work well.</p>
<p>We had to ship a bike and found that the local bike shop was willing to pack it up for us and ship for a fee. Well worth it!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the great advice! We have already done the BB and B purchase “Pack and hold” and will pick it up when we get to the school. I appreciate the links provided and the info about USPS, UPS, and FedEx ground. </p>