Shipping A Lens Question...

I'm going to buy a 70-200 IS from a seller from another forum, and we're trying to figure out the best way to ship the lens. He wants to require signature, which is fine by me, I'm just wanting to make sure I'm there to sign for it.

Has anyone sold and shipped this lens, and know what UPS/FedEX/USPS charges to ship it and if there is a way to tell the exact day it would arrive?

The price he is giving me it is for USPS but we aren't sure how many days it will take.
So I'm also trying to figure out if UPS or FedEx is done, what it will cost and what day it will arrive?

Any clues...?

If you want good tracking information do not use USPS, sometimes it does not even get updated until after the item arrives.

UPS and FedEx will have an estimated delivery date, and you can track your package online.

I'm just trying to figure out if there is a way to say, this package will arrive on Wed, or not?
And then if the pricing is reasonable or sky high...

usps 2-3day priority is cheap so if seller can ship it tomorrow you will have it on wednesday. They say 2-3 but it has always been 2 days for me so far. UPS will be expensive depending on how far you are from the seller.

Thats what I thought too Madhu, the priority shipping is pretty fast, just never used it for a big lens like this...doesn't it have to fit in a certain sized box?

If you want to be able to track the package I would advise that you use either UPS or Fedex.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #10434880
Thats what I thought too Madhu, the priority shipping is pretty fast, just never used it for a big lens like this...doesn't it have to fit in a certain sized box?

Not really. If the box size is less or equal to 12x12x12 it's very cheap for most destinations. There are also some flat rate boxes but they may not be the best. It really depends on what you are going to buy. You can also go for insurance if you want and that will be $1 for roughly every $100 you insure.

The Large flat rate box is $14.50 and will hold the 70-200 lens boxed up.
I think he's going to insure it and require a signature.

I always ship lenes USPS priority mail, the tracking is less than ideal but with delivery/signature confirmation it doesn't matter as much. Plus it can get a package coast to coast in 3 days max for 15 bucks (30ish if insured). UPS and Fedex can not touch that.

USPS Priority is pretty quick. Especially if it's going from coast to coast. There's no real tracking (like UPS or FedEx) but when you go to the postal office, you can ask them what the estimated delivery date would be given you bring the package with you and shipment via Priority.

I know when I mail items off, on the receipt, it'll tell me the estimated arrival date.

if you're not home to sign it, they'll leave a note and you can pick it up at the nearest PO. Mine was 1 mile away so that's what I do all the time.
I receive 2-5 packages everyday by all carriers but when I ship I only use USPS.

Ok thanks guys, thats what we've decided to do, USPS...priority should have it here on the day I work at home. Now just trying to figure out the PayPal payment so no one pays any fees...direct transfer to a friend or family seems to be the only way, is that what you all do?

Why don't you have the lens shipped to your work? This is what I do.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #10437170
Ok thanks guys, thats what we've decided to do, USPS...priority should have it here on the day I work at home. Now just trying to figure out the PayPal payment so no one pays any fees...direct transfer to a friend or family seems to be the only way, is that what you all do?

As a buyer I don't like PayPal gift as it offers absolutely no protection, but that is your choice I suppose.

Not sure if this is a $1000 or a $2000 lens, but either way, if it were me, I'd be taking the lens in it's original box to Fed-Ex and paying them $5 to professionally package it. Insurance claims can be very tricky if you pack yourself.

mpix345 wrote in post #10437942
As a buyer I don't like PayPal gift as it offers absolutely no protection, but that is your choice I suppose.

Not sure if this is a $1000 or a $2000 lens, but either way, if it were me, I'd be taking the lens in it's original box to Fed-Ex and paying them $5 to professionally package it. Insurance claims can be very tricky if you pack yourself.

I didn't realize there wasn't any insurance with that way, guess it makes sense.
This must be why most people do it the other way and one of the two pays the 3% fees huh?