Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello all,
I am starting my online business and opened up a UPS account the other day.  I was told I would have to purchase  the "3 day ground" boxes at a UPS store, while the next day air and 2nd day boxes can be ordered for free on the website.  I plan on shipping most of my items 3 day ground.  My question to those of you who use UPS:
where do you get your boxes?
do most of your customers choose the standard shipping?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

In my former position, I did alot of shipping of course materials both domestically and internationally.  One of the companys where I use to phone in orders for boxes of all shapes & sizes was: http://www.uline.com/

Hope it helps!

 

-------------------------

Nicole Champagne
Email: influencialexpectations@gmail.com
Cell: (734) 262-3730
Soar With Influencial Expectations!

Elizabeth,

It is my understanding that you can use the "free" boxes for any air service, which includes 3 day select.  You use the terminology of 3 day ground, which does not exsist, however you certainly will have ground packages that will arrive within 3 business days based on the zone you are shipping to.  For example, if you are shipping to the east coast from CA it will take 5 business days using ground, if you want the shipment to arrive in three business days you would use 3 Day Select & be able to utilize the free boxes.  I hope this makes sense.

 

If you are ordering boxes, I agree with Nicole`s prior response of using Uline.

-------------------------

Product & Literature Fulfillment Experts Dan Coll, President Rapid Fulfillment, Inc. 461 Cochran Road, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15228 dan@rapidfulfillment.com www.rapidfulfillment.com

You can actually use any type of box.  The shipping label contains the shipping method information in the bar code and then stated in text.  You can also get little stikers to put on the box to identify the metod of shipment.  The official UPS boxes just add one more way to identify the method of shipping.  You can order boxes from any number of packaging suppilers.  I`ve also never paid for UPS boxes of any type.  They are usually provided free to ups customers when you order supplies on line.  The only place I`ve fkound where customers pay for the box is at the shopping mall outlet store.  What used to be called M--L are us.

-------------------------

The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.

ITA with RealtorNicole - uline is a great source for boxes

if you are using primarily 3-day ups shipping, you might want to look into
USPS Priority Mail - 2-3 days arrival (faster within the same region) and if
you create your labels online there is free delivery confirmation included in
the postage price. you can weigh & pay online and print the postage on the
label, or use a postage meter. we have an ecommerce business and it`s our
main shipping service. their boxes are free also.

Honey child is right. UPS is just one supplier of parcel post service. You might also try DHL of Fed Ex ground service. Also, if you are shipping within a geographic, you might find a local carrier with special rates for that area. I used to ship orders with a local freight service for example, from Las Vegas to Utah at a third of what UPS charged. Before you commit to one service, research all you options.

-------------------------

The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.