Shipping a quilt?

[Sondra]

I've shipped a few recently and think there has got to be a preferred (cheaper?) method than USPS or UPS. when you mail a quilt how much do you allocate/spend? It kills me especially if the quilt is a gift. Shoot- the cost of shipping is a gift.

Anyone else?

[bubba]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

Will it fit in a flat rate box? Those are right around $15 to ship.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

I sent two to my parents and got them to fit in a flat rate. Cannot remember which one, but it was about 15 dollars and you can track it

[Sondra]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

It might have if I had vacuumed sealed it first.

[auntiemern]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

UPS has flat rate shipping now. Don't know anything about it though. Good luck.

[kensington]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

If you want the most reliable shipping with tracking go UPS or the USPS... My quilter won't ship with anyone but UPS. I use the post office. I'd rather pay a bit more and have it arrive safely then cut cost and have it lost in transit.

[Quiltfreestyle]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

I had a really bad experience shipping a quilt with USPS. From now on I will only ship quilts via FedEx, don't care if it costs more.

[Vonnie]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

Vacuum packed sounds like a good idea. Compact smaller box plus it is protected somewhat in a plastic bag. Make sure that you insure it. I had a friend that sent quilts 3 different times to CA after a bad fire several years ago for misplaced people. All three times the quilts disappeared. She had delivery confirmation and it was investigated. They all disappeared after going through one post office. Unless you request the service with a signature, they can just leave the package. Several times a year I get a neighbors mail. Sometimes they are on the right sometimes on the left and sometimes on the next street over that has the same house number (luckily I know this neighbor).

[Quiltfreestyle]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

Just FYI,,
My bad experience with the post office involved my new GS first quilt. I shipped it Express Mail (3 day delivery guaranteed) with tracking & insured, from my home to Bremerton WA.
They lost track of it. According to the tracking it stayed in the LA terminal annex for over 6 WEEKS but no one could locate in the building. Since it was insured, I tried to put in a claim, figuring I could at least get the cost of the fabric back. They told me I needed either a written appraisal or receipts for all the materials!!!
I spoke to several people at the post office, all the way up to the branch supervisor, no luck!
After another 2 WEEKS it finally showed up in WA, squashed, stained & the box was torn in several places. Lucky for me I wrapped the quilt in a plastic bag.
I credit St Anthony for finally finding the quilt & making sure it got delivered!
This is why I will only ship FEDEX now.

[Grandma G]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

I credit St Anthony for finally finding the quilt & making sure it got delivered!

Going off topic for a minute... Funny that you should mention St. Anthony. My sister swears (I know, not a good word choice) by him. Last fall when my DH and I were on vacation in Massachusetts we were looking for his American Revolution patriot ancestor and had spent the better part of an hour combing through that section of the cemetery where we were told his grave was located without success. Here is the conversation between my sister, Barbara, and I:

Barbara: Gerri, have you asked St. Anthony for his help?
Gerri: what are you talking about?
Barbara: Just ask St. Anthony for help finding the gravestone.
Gerri: Yeah, right.

About that time I took about five steps backwards and stepped on a large pebble. It was large enough to give my foot a jolt. I looked down at the pebble and as I turned my head focused on a good sized, ancient looking gravestone about 6 or 7 feet in front of me. Lo and behold it was our missing Patriot. I looked over at Barbara, with my mouth hanging open (I'm sure), and she didn't say a word. Of course she didn't need to since the look on her face and her eyebrows raised to the sky said it all.

Never again will I diss St. Anthony...

[Quiltfreestyle]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

LOL
I firmly believe prayers are heard & answered and St Anthony is one busy saint..

[GrandmaLinda]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

Last Fall I shipped 6 quilts for my grandchildren through UPS. They left them at the wrong house. I immediately reported them and thank goodness they made it to the right place. Since then, I ship everything to the post office box and make them go pick them up.

[Simply Quilting]

Re: Shipping a quilt?

I would for sure have the quilts sealed in plastic inside the box no matter which way you ship them. I don't know how many times I've dealt with torn boxes from USPS, UPS and Fedex. Several times it was the plastic bag that saved the fabric or books.