Hey all,

Just wanted to give a heads up when you go to ship a bow with the Post Office.

I traded my longbow for another and went to ship it. I have read for years on how great it is to use the Post Office and the rates were good and so on. I went to LOWES and got some of the thin walled Schedule 40 for really cheap cause one end was crushed. I packed my bow really good and headed to the Post Office here in Spring, Texas.

I get to the window and she says she doesn't think it will make it with standard. She punched it up and the shipping was around $25 if it was OK to go. She got out her tape measure and went to work. She then tells me that it is not able to ship standard and that it has to go oversize. The rate went from a bit over $25 to over $75! I told her NO THANKS. I couldn't figure out what happened. I know many of you ship bows every day and don't pay $75 to do it. I headed to the local UPS Shipping Store. They done their thing and then charged me $54 to ship my bow. The ROUND TUBE was a bit over 70 inches long and it was a 4 inch ID pipe. Weighed probably 15 pounds, maybe less.

I just didn't get it. I wondered how in the world you guys afford to ship these bows all over the place with fees like that. I got on the USPS website and read up about how they measure to determine whether it is standard or oversized. The length + Circumference in inches has to be LESS than 108.

Well I plugged all my info into the formula and came out with a figure of around 94 or so. Give or take a bit. I watched when the woman measured it and she done the length, then she measured the circumference and THEN she measured the height of it sitting on the scale. Who knows what she was looking at on her screen. She came up with some number of around 114. I have tried and I cannot figure out how in the world she came up with that info.

So....I got BURNED for an extra $30 in shipping because I happened to get a MORON at the window that didn't know her hind-end from 2nd base. She had no clue about how or what to measure on a package.

BEWARE when you go to ship a bow via the Post Office. KNOW your measurements and be prepared to show them their own details and formulas for figuring shipping sizes. If not, you too will pay the PRICE and get hammered on shipping.

I'm still PO'ed about it.

Nalajr

Same thing happened to me but I caught them measuring it wrong and told them. The clerk then called over someone else and she knew the correct way to measure.

I always use USPS and NEVER pay that much. I put foam on tips and handle and wrap really good with bubble wrap and send. Couple times I wrapped some thin card board around it. No problems to date. Sorry to hear your frustration.

Yep been there done that.

Here's my experience...I wanted to ship one of my Black Widow take down recurves to BW to have some work done.I went to UPS store and they wanted $40.00. I said man, I don't want to buy a bow...just ship one. I left went home, packaged the bow myself and went to the Post Office. I shipped it for $8.00 and the experience was perfect. I have shipped many things using USPS and have never had a bad experience.For me, it is the US Postal Service all the way!!!

You had an oversize package which they measure by length x width x height and girth. Why on earth you used pvc and such a huge piece boggles the mind. I have shipped thousands of bows all over the country and even with insurance and priority mail they're all $20 or under. Go to Brandon Stahls site and he has a tutorial on making a shipping box. I use a variation of this and have never had a damaged bow.

Anything over 84" length + circumference is considered oversized. On a round tube they just measure length plus circumference, that is all. If your pipe was really 4" diameter multiply that times 3.14 to get the circumference that would be 12.56" so say 13" plus the length of 70" equals 83". Now if that was the inside diameter of the pipe it then is more than 4" diameter.

It always amazes me how many clerks behind the counter don't know their own job. All they know is punch numbers in the machine. Same with people counting change. Not many these days can figure anything in their head.

You can overpack recurves and longbows to the point it's redundant. I send recurves in boxes that are just about an inch or so thicker than the bow, and about two inches longer. That allows for good packing....and, I've never had one broken and that's over a long period. You don't need PVC pipe either to ship a longbow. And finally, I don't take it to the post office to figure shipping, they are always higher than if you do your own online. Taking it to the P.O. and leaving it to some of the employees is a crap shoot. You may do okay, you may not. The costliest I have had in many years was a longbow to California from Pa., that cost about $38.00.

Been there. Actually it depends on shipping regular vs priority mail, but the oversize charge starts at 84" not 108. I went round and round about that til I went to different po and the gal could explain. Also I never do the round pipe anymore unless I put it in a box so it won't roll. A pipe that rolls will cause a problem somewhere, sometime and if you use the thinwall, it will crush. You have to minimize the length the length and width you use. If you have a 66" longbow you should be able to get it in a package 67". If you have a round pvc pipe it should be measured by the length (70") and the circumference which on a 4" pipe would be around 13 3/4", so in your case it should be under but if you are a bit over 70" maybe not. Always remember 84" is the magic number to be under. And you want it enough under to not be a question. I ship in boxes anymore and have never had a problem yet

Had the same thing happen tome. Shipping rate was good until they measured. It was like a $60 additional charge. So I went to the local store that takes shipments for UPS. They were about $15 cheaper than USPS. I then went with FedEx and they were around $30. This was in the tube that Howard Hill Archery shipped my son's bow.

Same here..Once had USPS want $65 to ship a bow 90 miles down the Interstate.Gentleman only wanted $50 for the bow.Needless to say,we drove out and got it,had lunch and still came out cheaper. Still hate to hear"there'll be a surcharge" form this one lady to this day!! Sack

Ive shipped hundreds of bows all over the US, Canada and overseas. I print all my shipping labels at home and have the packages picked up by the postal carrier. You not only get a discount for doing that I don't need to leave the house.

Nalajr,

I bought a bow from a person once that used my directions to make a box. He took the package to the PO and they charged him almost 3 times the amount to ship it that it should have been. When I received the package I measured and weighed it. It was within the limits that it should have been for the lower price. He took my Email to the post office the next day and the postal manager used the measurements I had sent in the Email to recalculate and came up with the lower cost. They agreed the employe who waited on him had made a mistake and refunded him the difference. It would be worth your time to go on line to USPS.com calculate your exact measurements from the package you sent from your zip to the zip you sent it to. If it comes up the lower rate print it out and take it to the PO and ask for a refund.

dnovo,

Don't know when they changed it but the new shipping length plus girth is 108. I shipped an oversized recurve today in a 4"X9"X70 box priority mail insured for $200. Shipping cost $13.56

Best regards,

Jack

iv'e shipped over a hundred bows USPS most expensive was a 60" tube to Germany last week 59 bucks most are 16 to 25 bucks including long tubes the key is to keep it under 70" length that will equate to under 84" as stated above.insurance has went up recently about 30% or so

I always make sure I write the correct dimensions on the tube or box. They'll punch them numbers in so fast no matter what they are as long as they don't have to do the physical measuring. While I've had USPS destroy a few bows out of hundreds, they are still my preferred way of shipping. Insurance and signature confirmation is recommended.

Have only shipped a one piece bow once and that was years ago. Have shipped over 30 T/D bows USPS in Landcaster arrow boxes and similar boxes w/ much bubble wrap on the inside without any damage. Cost is around 20-25.00 priority insured. Thanks, Roy

If you ship a bow in any round container it will cost you double to ship at USPS. Always put your round tube inside a square box to ship. Also any round tube can roll of the conveyer and get crushed or broken.

James

Just went through the same thing my my post office. Shipped out a bama longbow last year 68" bow in a pvc tube just over 70". It cost $16 plus insurance. Sent out a 64" recurve last week and it was about $45. So one of them measured wrong. Its very easy to read a tape measure, so who knows. Maybe the post office should train them on that.

Ship a bow USPS I would say average $15-$20 for me. I buy float tubes an use them on the limbs, for a $1 can't be for extra protection on limbs an tips.

I have seen issues with shipping round tubes a number of times. The problem is that the USPS system does not have a method for the postal worker to enter length and circumference. Most of the workers don't know how to deal with the tube. I have had them try to charge me for oversized package and just gone to another post office and they let it go by just fine. You almost have to print out the information from the web site and take it with you. This is more common then you might think. I have my post offices that I know to go to and a few I stay away from. Stick to your guns and it can help. Good luck the next time!

I was in my upper barn and came across three shipping tubes from Meigs Archery. One from 1986 was sent by the USPS. $5.45.

I'll be using the make your own box from now on. I've got to check that out on the best way to make them.

The next time I have to ship a bow you can bet that I'll have the info printed out and ready to go when I get to the window.

Where is the 84 number coming from? When I looked it up the number was 108. I never saw anything about 84. Length + measurements of the outside or circumference must be less than 108 to get regular rates.

I watched her measure it and she done the length and then she held the tape straight up next to the pipe getting the height, then she held it parallel to the desk to get the width as if she was measuring a box and she would put these numbers in the computer each time she measured something and then she measured the OD on the pipe and put that in. She added the length around the package in their 2 times. I still don't know how she came up with a number over 110 though. Oh well, leave it to the Post Office.

Live and learn I guess.

Nalajr

Don't see any directions for a shipping box on the Rose Oak website.

Nalajr

I love USPS. Yes I'm amazed that anything connected to the Gov can get it right but they are awesome in my book. The measurements length plus circumference must be under 84". Smallest possible round tubes and cut length to fit the bow with just enough to pad the top of bow. If you have a box you may have to cut it down to much narrower. I no longer insure anything but pay for a signature at the other end. I've never had an issue in lots of bows shipped.

Try this link....if I can get it right. http://tradarchers.com/forum/index.php/topic,741.0.html

I posted a picture tutorial on making a shipping box in the how to resource forum on tradgang a few years ago. For some reason I can't attach the link. It is still there if you want to look though.

As stated above the new limit is 108" length plus girth. The old was 84".

Sounds like New Common Core Math Calculator being used... No right or wrong answer!

Love USPS.

All you have to do is go on to the USPS web site and print the shipping labels yourself. As was mentioned above though, you WAY over packed it. 15lbs. is for a longbow is really heavy.

The person that was doing the measuring probably wasn't a moron. Don't you ever make mistakes at your job? I do.

The measurements of 108" vs 84" is for regular mail, no insurance vs priority mail. If you want insurance you have to ship priority and the measurement for oversize is not to exceed 84"

How my bow arrived today usps

If you know a store that sells ceiling fluorescent light bulbs individually, ask if they have any left-over boxes. I get them when I can, save them in the cellar corner, then cut them to size with a sharp knife or hacksaw, and rebuild the endcaps. I too was bit...once...by an unknowing USPS employee, but have since done all the pre-work and pre-measuring, and have been fine. Good, sturdy, long and strong boxes can also be found at car dealerships who have repair shops. Many auto parts are long, and are shipped in decent boxes. Good luck...

Don't know that it would have helped but I write "FRAGILE" Big Letters on all sides of the container an print "Please Top Load".

Nock on wood I have not had any problems with USPS...

Anything over 70" automatiically bumps you up, opver 108 total bumps you up again.

Don't use the schedule 40, use the ribbed thin wall drain pipe-with the black Teflon like coating inside. It's way lighter and slightly flexible. Put the 4" caps on it and you're off! I've shipped insured $700 67" tube,74" longbow inside, for $25 recently. Without insurance it was around $15.

ALWAYS INSURE

That was a 64" longbow. Ha Ha.

if you took the bus, and handed to the guy, it may have been cheaper than the post office, there rates and the way they messure are a joke. I think they might get kick-backs in there Paychecks for scewing us.

The measurements of 108" vs 84" is for regular mail, no insurance vs priority mail. If you want insurance you have to ship priority and the measurement for oversize is not to exceed 84"

Not according to their web site. Printed a label and shipped a 70"x4"X9" box yesterday Priority Mail insured.

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED THE THREAD WILL GET BURNED UP.

PO ARE A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS!!!!!!!!

LITTLE HARSH? REALLY THEN TAKE MY QUIVER OVER. I STILL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A BOW THEY BROKE UNRESOLVED YET OVER 1 YEAR. STALMATE AT THIS POINT.

I TO HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEM RECHECK THE PACKAGES IF A COUNTER PERSON IS NEW. SOME OF THEM DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

RIGHT NOW HAVE A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND NOTHING GOOD TO THINK AND SAY UNTIL THIS ISSUE GETS RESOLVED. CAN'T GET THE BOW BACK EITHER.PAID FOR INSURANCE AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HONER A CASH RECEIPT FROM REPUTABLE BOW SHOP THEY WON'T EVEN CALL. IF THATS NOT CRIMINAL THEN WHAT IS?

THERES PLENTY OF HORROR STORIES OUT THERE BEING AT THEIR MERCY OF BUREACRATES.

Guys,

priority mail is reasonable if you are shipping across the state, but a total ripoff if you ship a bow across the country. The best shipper I have found is FedEx ground. They own all Kinckos offices and the shipping costs are the same all over their system. I ship several hundred packages, including 50 or more bows a year and any full length bow is much less by FedEx. I've shipped a number of 68"+ target bows, Drakes, etc, and compared. A 70"+ box shipped across the country and fully insured will easily cost $55 or significantly more by Priority Mail. I can ship the same package full value declared by fedex for $28-32.

I know the PO has recently reduced their priority mail prices, but not nearly enough. I feel for these American's who have long term jobs, etc, etc. I really like my local PO folks, and I feel sorry for the direction their organization is headed. It's not their fault-many of us pay our bills on-line too....saving on stamps, etc. IMO, the post office is doomed. But, the UPS and FedEx drivers are Americans too and they carry your bow package for a lot less. So.....what are you going to do?

I just sent a Damon Howatt/Martin X-200 to knifeguy for less than $17 bucks including insurance. San Diego to Seattle. USPS

I can drive to no less than about one dozen US post offices in less than 30 minutes, in any direction from my house. It has been my experience that mailing the same stuff out of the same boxes, will yield you no less than 12 different prices. It depends on the clerk and the mood she is in in my personal experience. And, when you do question them the are often the only one in these rural little shops. So, they are the last word. I just tell them to give it back if the price is way out of line. And, sometimes it is.

I have harped and harped on this. It really burns me up. I want to really praise them. I really do. I ordered a case trimmer a month ago. It showed delivered on the 14th according to the tracking number. Only 9 days late. But, the real problem was it was never delivered!!!! I contacted the vendor and asked how he wanted to handle it. He said he'd just mail another. Told me he'd right it off in taxes and not to worry about it. He sent another. Three days later I came home and found two case trimmers setting in the chair on my porch. UNBELIEVABLE.

I just received a bow last week that the end of the bow, had a bubble wrapped, bow sock wearing limb tip exposed. It had newspaper sticking out the end. It looked a lot like the tube in the above picture. I raised you know what when the women carried it to the counter. I opened it on the spot. Luckily, I could find no harm.

It is really ridiculous. I hear the woes of those with ups and fed ex but, in these parts, those companies deliver it nice and on time. Around here, the USPS is in serious need of management. Just the way it is. God Bless

well ups is good on small stuff . the reason being there auto machines handle them well long stuff no so good .usps is better on the bows but remember this a lot of post office employees are new part time half trained .because the post office is cutting back on hours etc .i never sent one with pvc pipe it is heavy sch 40 is tough . i would use sewer and drain it is cheaper and thinner lighter if i wanted pvc pipe use SDR 35 they could run over it with the truck and never hurt it.

I shipped a bow in tube via USPS a while back. I knew the dimensions so I was prepared. Tube was 70" long, and 4" OD or just under 12.6" circumference. Net total was 82.6'. At the post office the first clerk took it into another room to measure and returned saying it was an oversized item since the combined measurement was 86" which exceeded the then 84" max. I told the person the true measurement was under 83".

After some give and take I asked for her to show me how she measured the package or get a supervisor. She opted for the supervisor who came out and demonstrated the measurement technique. He measured the length, no problem. Then put the tube on a flat surface went to one of the ends, and with his metal tape measured the width and then the height of the tube. Each measurement was 4" so he concluded the girth of the package was 4+4+4+4=16. That added to the 70" length netted 86", hence oversized.

This he said, was how they taught him to measure packages and he was the supervisor. I then went on to explain what he did was the correct technique for a square or rectangle. But a cylinder was different. He said that was impossible. So I asked him to take his somewhat inflexible metal tape and wrap it around the tube and tell me what the actual measurement was vs his calculation. Well, after three tries he admitted the girth was less than 13" but was at a loss to explain how a circle could have a smaller girth than a square with the same 'diameter'. He still insisted the tube was oversized.

I then asked for the postmaster. We went through the whole demo one more time. The postmaster was confused. He made a phone call and asked if tubes should be measured the same as rectangles. Was told no. Tubes were to be measured with a cloth or flexible tape around the true circumference. So I got the standard rate and an apology with the explanation they had been using the wrong measurment technique for at least 10 years. How is that for your tax dollars at work!

Stopped using USPS for Bows or anything else with a large value. Been using FEDX now for bout 5 years. All has been great. File a claim with USPS , Paper Work Paper Work .And more Paper Work.. Then wait a few months to see if they will accept the claim. What A Joke.. USPS OK for the small stuff..Like paper clips and bubble wrap..

I shipped a bow from Texas back to 3rivers and it cost me $40, but that was because I wanted it to get there in 3 days. If I had chose 6 to 7 days it would have only cost $25 and that was Priority shipping. My small town post office is always trying to save me money by offering cheaper shipping options, and yes I know that is a rarity. At my previous post office I had to watch them like a hawk because they would try to overcharge and miss- measure everything.

If you are relying on the post office to measure and weigh your shipment you are foolish- most clerks don't know how to use/read a tape measure and none of the scales are certified by your state weights and measures officials. You can do it yourself at home and then either drop off the package or have them pick it up- I just shipped a bow on Saturday that was delivered on Monday (NM to LA)- insured. The cost was $14.61 for a 4x4x60" box that weighed 2.7 lbs.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here