Tips on shipping rods

[David228]

I have shipped about 5 rods in the past and have paid anywhere from $18 to $26. Friday I went to the post office and the cheapest rate was $55. I thought the woman had made a mistake so I brought the rod to another post office and it came to the exact same price. Does anyone have suggestions on the cheapest route to take? I ended up shipping UPS for $38. 

(The rod I shipped was 86" and the tube was 87")

 

[papajoe222]

WOW! I think the most I've paid to ship a rod via USPS was $18. The only reason I can think of for that outrageous cost would be that the package was oversize. Length + Girth, but that may not be the case. Did you ask the clerk to break down the charges for you? 

[doyle8218]

Makes you wonder how tackles stores have free shipping on even the $50.00 rods. They must get crazy deals with the shipper.

[Alpster]

When you go over 7' the price skyrockets.

[.ghoti.]

I've paid from $18 to $56. Longer costs more. And some locations cost a lot more.  USPS has more than one option. Inquire about all options.  

[Alpster]

I built a swimbait rod for Jay in CA. 8 1/2 feet long and over $60 to ship coast to coast. That was about 8 or 9 years ago.

[blckshirt98]

I shipped a rod recently in an 8' long tube re-purposed from Tackle Warehouse.  Cost me $40 through UPS.  Also makes me wonder how some of these mail order companies make any money off of rods  (like when TW sells a rod for $50 on sale then has free overnight shipping in CA).

[Alpster]

I used a 3" schedule 40 PVC pipe for a shipping case which added a lot of weight. He had over 300 bucks in parts, I wasn't going to let UPS destroy it in transit. LOL

[buzzed bait]

they all vary greatly it seems like.  the most important factors are length, insurance amount (if any) and the final destination.  I've paid less to ship to UT and OR than inside the state of GA!

[Bass Turd]

Has anyone tried the bus companies like Greyhound or Trailways? Heck... I don't even know if both of those companies are still in business but back in the old days one could ship with them.

[deaknh03]

Heres an important bit of info. When you bring your rod to the Post office, they will tell you the cheapest is retail ground, and it is, until they add on the "balloon" charge based on the rods height, often bumping a $17 charge to $37. Ask them to send it priority 2 day, it is often the same $17, with no balloon charge. They will not tell you this, as retail always comes up as the cheapest, never factoring in the balloon charge.

51 minutes ago, Bass Turd said:

Has anyone tried the bus companies like Greyhound or Trailways? Heck... I don't even know if both of those companies are still in business but back in the old days one could ship with them.

Have you tried pony express?

[Bass Turd]

4 minutes ago, deaknh03 said:

Have you tried pony express?

Ha. Everyone know a rod won't fit in a saddle bag....

[Further North]

3 hours ago, deaknh03 said:

Have you tried pony express?

Carrier pigeon.  Really...big...carrier pigeon.