the $200 hula hoop

[swingchickie]

so, um. yeah. today i went to the local business help-y place to do my first shipment... since star's mom was such a doll about my wanting to do a hoop for star, i told her the first one would be hers.

estimated shipping cost, according to UPS: $90.00.

it was like something out of a comedy -- the business helpy people had no idea how to ship the thing, even though i'd bubble wrapped and taped it like crazy (which was the way my hoopnotica hoop had arrived back in april)... they insisted that it'd get ruined in transit. PLUS, UPS would charge me $15 for shipping it without a box. but the cost of a box to fit it? $10. *sigh*.

when we re-measured the diameter and discovered that the hoop was 42 inches across instead of 44, we plugged the new width in... shaving 2 inches brought the price down to $16.00. from $90. amazing. but still, with or without a box, there were another $10-15 in fees tacked on. they called the post office, fed ex... same rates, same issues with shipping something of that size and shape. so how the heck did hoopnotica ship mine, *in bubble wrap*, for only $10 or so? and how can philthyhoops afford to ship for a flat rate of $10? i'm so confused.

Comments

[mrlich.livejournal.com]

I know that I am the Tactless Wonder™ - but could you just call them and ask some questions? Like "Hey - what method do you use to ship the hoops?" and "Are they protected?"

A little digging as a 'concerned customer' should yield all the info you need (I would think).

[dhpdesign.livejournal.com]

Do you have an account with them in Tailspin's name? Maybe this is a case of UPS everyday-person rates vs. UPS business rates.

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

i did some sleuthing with other hoopers who have had the same problem -- the folks who have figured it out are rather closed-lipped about what the dealie-o is. but i found out the secret, and shipped this morning! w00t!

[mrlich.livejournal.com]

Nice! Congrats!