How do you determine the best shipping rates?

[Robert1970]

Hello,  I am considering selling my products online.  Before I go through the process of setting up a Shopify account I need to know how to ship my items.  I am selling large format art pieces.  The weight is not heavy (under 20lbs) but the size of the box required is large (55" x 50" x 4").  The lowest cost I receive shipping with UPS is $409.00!!??  Then I must include the cost of the box, the packing material, time to package and ship, etc.

I see others offering free shipping on items they are selling, and when I calculate the cost I would incur shipping the exact same item (matching size, weight, etc.) I find that my shipping costs would exceed the cost of that item itself.   How are others able to ship their products so affordably?   I need to know how I can be competitive.  Please advise?

[DavidNZSSI]

Hi Robert. Typically, the way I've seen some of our own customers ship larger items at a lower cost is through negotiated discounted rates with their carriers. If you're just starting out, you might not get the lowest rates, but it's worth discussing with carriers like UPS, FedEx, and others to see if any discounts are available based on anticipated shipping volumes. There are also specialist carriers who focus on shipping larger/heavier items too, which may be an avenue worth considering. 

Then with free shipping, some sellers opt to absorb some of that shipping cost with orders over a certain value, or just cover it entirely.

I hope this is helpful! Happy to discuss more if required.

[Mirdas]

Possible options are:

1. If you are from the USA or Canada, check out the negotiated rates offered by Shopify Shipping.
2. Check for any postage resellers that offer negotiated rates for UPS.
3. Look for more affordable shipping options available in your area.