Shipping rods

[AllTerrainAngler]

What is the cheapest way you've found to ship a rod?

[Team9nine]

Cut it up into small pieces and ship in a large padded envelope 

Seriously though, I'm not certain there is a "cheap" way. I've shipped quite a few through both UPS, USPS and FedEx, and the cost seems to run between $23 on the low end to $36 on the high end (USPS). FedEx is where I usually go because they're the most convenient (and affordable) location for me. I usually ship in either cardboard rod tubes from previous rod purchases online (always save your old tubes), or you can use thin PVC piping and caps. 

-T9

[tander]

Last rod I shipped was by USPS Priority Mail, less than $20.

[ClackerBuzz]

cheapest i've found is USPS website.  max from east coast to west coast is $28.50, which includes $200 insurance.  i've also paid as little as $12.50 to ship within Pa.  something you might want to consider... I only offer free shipping/to your door east of the mississippi river.  my post office woman explained how the rates jump significantly each time you jump into another zone.  if someone lives west of the mississippi and they are interested in a rod i ask for their zip code so I can decided if/what additional charges are needed.

[Neil McCauley]

Whatever you do I would tape it to the wall inside the container, leaving a few inches of room at the tip of the rod to avoid breaking it.

[buzzed bait]

I use PVC (need to find out where to get the "thin wall" all i can find is the schedule 40 at the hardware stores), tape the butt of the rod to the cap/outside so that the tip doesn't slide down and break.  use bubble wrap on the tip, butt and a couple spots in between.  never had an issue doing that.  and i use A LOT of duct tape to tape the ends up whether i use a cap or just a cardboard piece to cover the hole, LOTS of duct tape.  cardboard tubes work, but i've had 2 of them arrive in separate pieces taped back together by the shipping company (UPS and FedEx).

one way to make it slightly cheaper with fedex i know is to ship to a business rather than a residence.  so like the person's place of work if that's an option, can save a few dollars there.  my mind is blown sometimes with the variance in price....  i once paid more to ship a rod in state (GA to GA) than across the country (CA and OR)!!  really depends on how remote the recipient is as to how much more they seem to charge you.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Priority mail in pvc is my default. Over 8' UPS over their limit drop it off or have it picked up. For lighter pvc ask for central vacuum pipe. 

[buzzed bait]

7 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Priority mail in pvc is my default. Over 8' UPS over their limit drop it off or have it picked up. For lighter pvc ask for central vacuum pipe. 

Mike, where does one find this central vacuum pipe (not in bulk qty)?

Sorry OP if this is derailing your thread here, but it might help too 

[Cgrinder]

USPS online. Weigh and measure it yourself, pay online, and drop it off. I've done $20-22 insured including the $7 for PVC and endcaps at the hardware store. Just keep it at 7'11" or under.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, buzzed bait said:

 my mind is blown sometimes with the variance in price....  i once paid more to ship a rod in state (GA to GA) than across the country (CA and OR)!!  really depends on how remote the recipient is as to how much more they seem to charge you.

Yeah, this thread really has brought out the differences in pricing depending upon where you are, specifically with USPS. Last rod I shipped through them a month or two back was well under the 7'11" someone stated and only 3.5" in diameter, and originally priced out around $16, until the lady's computer tacked on a $20 surcharge for an oversized package. Now I just stick with FedEx because the price is always within a few bucks + or - of $25. Any more, I consider my time and $$ too valuable to be surprised at the register on a hit or miss basis.

-T9