How to save money shipping your flute.
Most of us would expect that shipping is shipping, and that by walking up to the Post Office counter and asking for the postage to send the flute to Rich Lupo Flutes and Piccolos would result in the lowest possible price. Not true! To get the lowest price for shipping, you need to figure out for yourself the best Post Office service to use. The people at the counter won't help you very well. The most common options, which you might think to be the cheapest, are often the most expensive.
Let's look at an example: (These prices are out of date, but are a good example)
Shipping a very nice $5,000 professional flute from New York to our shop. They of course want the full $5,000 of insurance. The package weighs just under 4 pounds.
Option 1
Priority Mail 3 day delivery with $5,000 insurance.
At Post Office postage price: $80.90
Online postage printed price: $77.31
Option 2
Priority Mail Express 1 day delivery with $5,000 insurance.
At Post Office postage price: $112.45
Online postage printed price: $97.81
Option 3
Priority Mail 3 day delivery with "Registered Mail" service, $5,000 insurance.
At Post Office postage price: $37.40
So you can see, option 3 is by far the least expensive option. And, Registered Mail is the most secure form of mail delivery, the package is transported by lock and key. It's the safest option, and also the cheapest option! For packages valued around $1500 or more, Registered Mail will be the cheapest option. You must ask for this service at the counter! The savings get more and more dramatic the higher the insurance value.
Let's look at an example: (These prices are out of date, but are a good example)
Shipping a very nice $5,000 professional flute from New York to our shop. They of course want the full $5,000 of insurance. The package weighs just under 4 pounds.
Option 1
Priority Mail 3 day delivery with $5,000 insurance.
At Post Office postage price: $80.90
Online postage printed price: $77.31
Option 2
Priority Mail Express 1 day delivery with $5,000 insurance.
At Post Office postage price: $112.45
Online postage printed price: $97.81
Option 3
Priority Mail 3 day delivery with "Registered Mail" service, $5,000 insurance.
At Post Office postage price: $37.40
So you can see, option 3 is by far the least expensive option. And, Registered Mail is the most secure form of mail delivery, the package is transported by lock and key. It's the safest option, and also the cheapest option! For packages valued around $1500 or more, Registered Mail will be the cheapest option. You must ask for this service at the counter! The savings get more and more dramatic the higher the insurance value.