Panama 58

Anyone have any luck shipping tires for a "reasonable cost"? I did it once about three years ago and I doubled up the tires with shipping saran wrap so that it made two packages instead of 4 as suggested by UPS. Packaged this way they still way under a total of 50 lbs. Checked with UPS yesterday and they want $140 for each two-tire package. These are some old bias-ply's that I will be using on a Survivor possible Bowtie car and the shipping would be more than what I am paying for the tires? Ship point is central PA and receipt location is Charlotte, NC area so it's not cross country by any means. I suspect FedX will be about the same. Anyone have any other suggestions to get the cost down? Thanks.

Jud Chapin

I would call Fedex anyway. You never know. Also, there are DHL and USPS that ship tires. They have all raised their prices due primarily to the 30-40% increase in fuel costs.

vettebuyer6369

I’ve scaled back from shipping stuff because of the insane prices lately. When I have parts of any size, now I accumulate them and take them to Carlisle or somewhere to sell in person.

I have a nice set of old date bias plys to sell and I’m not even considering shipping.

mike mccagh

check with Fastenal.mike

KingRat

I have had some bad luck with Fecal Brown UPOS. They dropped my dated radiator and my newly restored brake booster, damaging both, and then took no responsibility for their negligence.

65hihp

It seems to me the only way they might take responsibility is if they run over your box. Any other damage they dismiss your claim for inadequate packaging.. If they lose your box they'll say you didn't label it well. And they still charge an arm, a leg, and a ********.

KingRat

Yep. Very convenient that they get to investigate and absolve themselves of any responsibility. I am through with them.

PWPOOP

I am a shipping/receiving Mgr & the only way to get the major carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL, Brown etc) to honor a claim is to have good pics & have the delivery driver sign off on the damage. I even have them make the call & get me a claim number before I release them, but that will not help if they throw it on your porch at home and drive away. I have happened to be there a few times at home & if the boxes look damaged I will open them in front of the driver. Most of them already know me from my job so that helps & a lot of them do not give a crap & want to upcharge their company on the value, but I say no because I have to prove the cost of the items. Even had a few drink beer with me & check out the Vette resto.

jim lockwood

I had first hand experience with this one last year.

FedEx LOST an FI unit I shipped back to its owner. The "out" they claimed was that the Mom & Pop franchisee didn't personally open the shipping container to verify the FI unit was packed well. Seriously. And even tho I insured the package for $6000, they used the lack of inspection to justify paying about $280.... which was LESS than the shipping charges!

True story.

boxster99t

Did you check prices with Federal Express? UPS is (where I live) generally way more expensive. When I bought 4 new tires from Diamond Back last Spring, they came FedEx, wrapped as you described, and each two tire wrapped package was 50 pounds.

66jack

Try the airlines..you never know...AA/LUV/UAL/AK

Dreaming60’s

I wonder how the tire companies do it? Diamond Back just charged me $130 to ship four (4) tires, from SC to OK. Virginia Vette is drop shipping four (4) wheels (2 boxes) from PA to OK for $149. Both charges sound reasonable to me, especially in these times of inflated shipping charges.

I've also been by a reliable source that shipping large items (an engine is this instance) dock to dock is much cheaper without pick-up and delivery, but you have to drop the package off at one end and someone has to pick it up at the other.......but this can save big $$$, so you gotta ask, "how much is your time worth"?

Stingxray

I shipped a C2 hood through Grayhound shipping. Nobody could beat their pricing. Tires are as durable as mishandles luggage. Find the closest terminal and coordinate with other party. Good luck

BADBIRDCAGE

You beat me to it. A strong second for Greyhound. Best rates for bulk shipping in the continental United States.

Ken Sungela

I've been using pirateship.com since the suggestion by another forum member. They are great. Pricing a two tire package, 28x28x12" 45 lbs. from the top of North Jersey to Charlotte, NC, $42.50/package.

R66

I also used PirateShip and the price was 1/3 of USPS.

dr914

shipping prices are crazy but do not really need to box them up. Tire Rack never does, just ship them with a sticker on each

SupremeDeluxe

I spend almost $250K a year with UPS. We never have a loss, but we also do a tremendous job of packing. The spend on corrugated and packing materials dwarfs the UPS spend.

I have watched our rates basically double over the last ~6 years. It is what it is. Fuel and labor are primary drivers to the cost.

I am sure the rates for retail customers are just brutal at this point in time.

Dreaming60’s

Same experience with the company our kids run now. Having a company account can bring huge discounts with all carriers. But, no substitute for over wrapping a package. We ship/shipped aircraft parts and packed them like they'll be tossed like footballs........because they are.

DLowe

Was this pricing from a UPS Store or from a UPS Distribution Center? UPS Stores are a Franchisee so they charge more. I shipped all my C2 bumpers that weighed 45lbs in a box that was roughly 3' x 3' for $56 without insurance through the UPS Center from MS Coast to Houston for chrome. Unfortunately shipping cost has gone out of control since covid and i don't see it coming back to Pre-covid prices.