shipping a longbow

[BUCKY]

Just shipped one in a 4" carpet tube. It was 63" and it cost me $23 UPS.

[arrow flynn]

Usps rectangular box lighter and cheaper than plastic tube its the weight that will cost. Been there mho.

[Bladepeek]

Originally posted by Flying Dutchman:
When I import a bow to The Netherlands, I have to pay US $ 100,- for the shipping. And then I have to pay something like 30% taxes over the total amount. That's what I call robbery!
I would be very happy to pay only US $ 40,-!

But how much would you expect to pay within The Netherlands? There, I think, lies the rub.

[Matty]

I've done 2 this month. One within the state would have cost me $13 but insured for $400   added $7 small box 3 pc bow. The other went a state away 64" box insured for $400 $19.
Colorado to fla. is about $25 insured.
I always figure in shipping at $25 when selling or trading a bow. And assume when I buy one the same thing is getting figured in.  
People get really upset when they don't realize when you're selling for $400 shipped you're really asking $375 plus shipping.

[dnovo]

I have changed my container for shipping longbows also. Instaed of a heavu schedule 40 pvc tube, Im get the light wieght sewer and drain pipe in 3" and slip it inside of a rectanguler cardboard box that I get material in. I keep the length down to the minimun. This container weighs less than the heavy
 pvc and doesn't have any problem with rolling around when shipping.
A couple months ago, I traded bows with a great guy from Texas. I shipped mine packaged this way for $18 or $19, He shipped in the heavy PVC tube and paid over $30. Was that difference because of weight or post offices?

[Matty]

DNOVO probably the weight. Like stated above. The length does play a role. But PVC is heavy stuff. I use the same drain pipe stuff then wrap the bow in foam. Works great!!

[Brock]

I wrap the bow in a bow sock for longbows...and put high density foam on the tips and then put in the skinniest tube I can get away with based on bows reflex in limbs.  so far so good....

i was shocked when I shipped a pistol to someone in Wisconsin recently....was $45 last time I did it to Texas...this time was almost $90. WTF?!?!?!?!

[Shawn Leonard]

Just shipped 4 in the last week and with insurance up to $500, most expensive was $22. Imake sure I stay under that 84"s as Mike stated! Shawn

[Chuck Jones]

USPS charges the higher rate for any package over 1 square foot. That's 1728 square inches. If you ship longbows in a box; a 72" x 4" x 4" box would be 1152 square inches. However; when the post office or UPS measures a package; they round up to the next inch. All the 4x4 boxes I use, are slightly more than 4" across. When you call it a 5" x 5" x72" box, it is 1800 square inches, and over the square foot limit.

[MnFn]

When we were using charts (and perhaps some offices still do) there was a greater possibility for errors to be made. Now, with the Point of Sale equipment the pricing is pretty much cut and dried, assuming the right zip code is entered.

In some cases, you can save $10 to $15 on shipping by going surface as long as you don't get stuck with non- machineable or the "balloon charge".  It does take a few days longer, but may be worth it.  

I recently mailed a couple of bows.  I much prefer to add extra support to the cartons versus having the hassle of filing insurance claims.  Yeh, it cost me $36 for priority and insurance.  Perhaps agreeing for both shipper and receiver sharing shipping costs would be more equitable .

[ISP 5353]

I just spent $53 to ship a longbow from Indiana to Texas with $500 insurance.  One carrier quoted me over $100.  Shipping is really getting high!

I ship bows in capped pvc tubes, the tubes used to cost about half of what they do now and the shipping used to cost about half of what it does now.  My days of selling and shipping bows is over.  I prefer to either sell them or give them away in person, I get the chance to make certain everything is good and I have not spent $70, which can be money much better spent on arrows to go with the bows for who ever needs them.

[Fletcher]

I talked to my local USPS Customer Service rep and got things worked out.  Ended up with a refund of my $13.60 balloon charge.  Looking at the receipts it was clear that I had already paid the charge when using Click n ship.  Got a PM from the buyer today and the bow arrived none the worse for it's journey and he is very happy with it.  3" pvc drain tube inside a couple priority mail long triangle tubes.  Total cost for pvc and shipping was about $35, but a 30 year old piece of history deserves better than to die in shipping.