testing adding smileys to the post
 

I bubble wrap and use USPS Priority Mail with a perfect record. Oh that did it, but seriously I have been most happy with this method and all of my items have arrived in excellent shape and very quickly. I do not pay extra for the insurance, dumb? Perhaps, but I'm not claiming to be a genius.

I TOTALLY agree with MTS. Make sure that you include both your address and who you are sending it to physically attached to the quilt. Make sure if you print a Click n Ship label (you save money by purchasing postage online) that you use a glue stick to attach the label and use packing tape. My friend shipped a baby quilt and she used scotch tape. The label arrived but no quilt. She was heart sick but made another one. :lol:

Had a featherweight shipped by PO that was insured for 250.00 BUT I paid less, arrived broken and PO gave me 50.00 which doesn't include the shipping cost, you don't get that back, or at least I didn't. I don't buy insurance anymore unless it's a mfg product that I have receipt for.

not applicable to quilts, but when you are shipping something breakable, like a machine, pack it so the box can withstand a four foot drop onto a hard surface. Really. They do not get handled gently by any shipping service. And forget about marking it Fragile or Handle with Care.

This is exactly where taking it to a UPS store and having them pack it is the most important. They know how to pack it so it can withstand a 4 foot drop without damage, and they stake their reputation on it. I just shipped several items from my Great Grandmother's estate, including a fragile teapot she received as a wedding present, and an old, very delicate clock, also a wedding present (circa 1880). Both arrived in pristine condition. I know it costs a little more to have them pack it, but they have the right boxes, the right packing material, and they do this for a living. I don't. So far nothing they've packed has ever met with harm, and I send a lot, due to my husband's business. And I agree, if you can't print your own label, next best thing is to have a printed label at UPS/USPS, and stand ready to cover it with wide, clear packing tape. Scotch tape doesn't cut it.

I've shipped both ways and never had trouble.

Several years ago I made and shipped via UPS 3 quilts to my DIL for her friends who had triplets...each quilt had the child's name on it....long story short...package was delivered (per the driver's log)...and then stolen off the front steps before DIL got home...I had insured the box for $200...only had to send a description of the 3 quilts, the cost of fabrics, and how much time to make...and they "looked" for 2 weeks...and then sent me a check for $200...needless to say...I wasn't happy about making another set of quilts...but at least my fabric/shipping and time were paid for.

Yes I know about having them pack but I was purchasing this and I paid the seller extra for shipping and they pocketed the money and packed "ok" but not great like I would have. I have shipped 3 featherweights without an incident having said that, even the PO said it appeared as if someone had stepped on the box and that that happened sometimes. Still no $ for the machine so I removed the motor and sold it separate to recoup just a little.

Oh I have to add this. I mailed a box of patterns to Australia and they never got delivered and every time I went to file a track they would give me some runaround about how I had to wait this long for this or that long for that, FINALLY I filed the missing item ONE YEAR LATER and lo and behold it came back to me the VERY next day. We still couldn't figure out why it didn't ship neither could the PO so the PO guy was nice and didn't make me purchase more postage or insurance and it got there just fine this time, no difference in addressing..nada.

The cost of sending a package via UPS is astronomical.

i would go ups or fedex ground since my brothers bday present along with my 2 nieces presents got lost and the usps refused to even try to look for them i dont mail anything but bills by the postal service anymore. other places treat you like a customer and like they realize you could go elsewhere and they actually care and want you to be happy with their service. its no wonder the post office is going broke. sorry if i offended anyone but thats the way it is these days although i do remember when it was much different.
carla

Unless there is a trackable number on the package, it is nearly impossible to find it.

They handle millions of packages every day. So at least put Delivery Confirmation on it (the best service for the money), Insurance (which has its limits), Certify it, Express Mail, or Registered mail. The last three require a signature when delivered. Delivery Confirmation is scanned into the system at every stop and Registered mail is the most secure. It goes under lock and key with each employee, truck driver, etc. signing for it. If left overnight at a facility it is locked in a vault.

This is excellent and very useful information. Thanks for sharing! In fact, I'm going to copy it, and post it in my on line mailing folder for future reference.

Cheers!

Signature confirmation is much better than delivery confirmation. I have had two packages left in a hallway of my dd high rise, never to been seen again. No help from the post offices, ours or hers.

thanks for all the useful information! I use USPS with D/C and have been lucky enough to never have a problem.

I mail quilts all the time; I suggest 2-3 day Priority Mail through the post office. Don't bother getting insurance, they won't pay if it gets lost, you can get signature delivery confirmation so you know if/when it arrives, but other than that, don't bother to pay for any insurance...I've never had one get lost if that makes you feel better, sometime I used their flat rate boxes, sometimes not, but it always gets there within 2-3 days.