What Are Your Preferred Shipping Methods?

[Nardo1895]

I've had my FFL for about a year now and have only been asked to ship a couple of firearms so I'm pretty inexperienced. I'm wondering what shipping options you FFLs prefer. Factors to consider include cost, ease of use, care in shipping, ...

In my limited experience it seems like USPS flat rate boxes are the most cost effective way to ship a handgun. In my one experience with that I had to explain to the clerk how to do it and when I received it (I shipped it to myself from out of state) the box was beat to 'L to the point the front sight was exposed. I thought I'd packed it well but in the future I think I'd double box or ship in a cheap softcase.

Firearms I've received from FedEx and UPS seem to have been handled with a little more care.

I'm less clear on the best way to ship a rifle from a cost perspective. Seems like Fed-Ex Ground might be the way to go there.

I'd appreciate your insights.

[kemasa]

FedEx ground for long guns. USPS flat rate or regional for hand guns.

It can vary based on the weight and distance. For Alaska or Hawaii, USPS is really the only choice.

I had to ship a couple of hand guns and a long gun and a single box shipped USPS was cheaper than splitting it.

[acespawnshop]

We try and use USPS flat rate shipping as much as possible. We also use ground UPS, not cheaper than FedEx, but more convenient for us personally so that's who we use for long guns.

[kemasa]

I do not ship UPS because it is too far for a real UPS location. You can't drop off at the UPS store as it is not really UPS and it violates their rules, plus it can be annoying. One time I had a label and the UPS store refused to give me a receipt because they said it cost them money. I have not been back there for anything.

[Baboosh]

We have a daily UPS pickup and our driver buys from us, we ship most items UPS.

USPS is cheaper for handguns but our 2 local offices are idiots when it comes to guns. Had the lady literally scream GUN when I gave her the 1508 Form. Every time I decide to spend an hour going to the Post Office I have to explain that it is legal and I say never again. We only ship USPS if the customer has issues getting UPS delivered.