"The Nightmare of Tarawa (Honest, Shipping Question!)" Topic

Ok, By popular request, I have begun to prepare the Scenic Effect Tarawa piece for production and shipping. Now my issue, I have started to look at shipping for the piece.

Here is the issue, Tarawa will need to go in a 28" x 28" x 12" box and weight probably about 10 pounds.

Here are some shipping quotes:

to Australia – $212.00 USD US
to UK – $430.00 USD US
Across the US (here in WA to MA) – $65 USD

Ok, what would you do? Obvious, my free $100 USD shipping in the US has to go out the window. But really, who is going to pay these prices for shipping? It is a cool piece and all but OUCH! Any ideas?

-Will

Will: Within the US, consider sending by Fed Ex Ground. I have found the best prices shipping bulky (and not too heavy) packages through them to the west coast. If you open an account, you will also get a savings.

Doug

Ummm – checking USPS with the numbers provided, Parcel Post cost from your side of the country to the East Coast should only be about $26. USD Not lightning fast but even with delivery confirmation and some insurance much better than $65. USD Overseas you're certainly shafted for USPS, but have you checked with UPS or FedEx? I've never had to use them, but I'm told they're more practical than USPS for very high weight/size items going to Oz and the like.

Not for a 28" x 28" x 12" boxing approximately 10 points.

-Will

This is a classic business school problem. You have a good product that people wnt but you cannot get it to them for a peasonable cost.So in classic study style you look at both sides.

First the shipping – as you and others have shown the costs are too high and will likely deter customers. Parcel Post wuthin the US is an option but overseas is still a problem. You still have the option of direct sales at shows. You could also consider sending larger numbers to "agents" in other aareas also for direct sale at shows

Second the product Why is it so heavy and large? Is ot possible to produce it in a lighter material then what you are using? Is it possible to produce it in components ?

Good luck operating a small business can be very difficult at times like this

specify annual delivery. You will deliver to Historicon, the big show in Brussels and Mal's house once a year if you get enough orders. Then fly there with the goods, attend the convention and write the expenses off as a business expense.

Maybe win the lottery as well.

I'd say it is time to redo the model and try to make a version that breaks down into smaller parts. That would get you away from the large size box.

You may need to make additional molds and have them made in other countries and sold to specific retailers there to avoid the shipping problems.

You can sell to me and I would pay the shipping on my own FedEx Ground account. Saves you the trouble of it….
:)
Seriously, FedEx Ground ships beds, hoods for cars, and some other stuff that really should go via freight, but we I mean they handle.
Let me know if you are doing anything 25mm for F/I,AWI, 1066, etc.
(Formerly Rick James)