February 6, 2014 | Posted in:Helpful Tips, Shipping
Every so often, when listing large items, I indicate in the listings that the price is for Greyhound Package Xpress shipping. What is it? It’s a service that Greyhound offers, along with their well-known bus services. Packages under 72 inches long and 100 pounds or less are eligible for this service. The packages are placed in the cargo area, along with luggage, and are shipped to the customer’s closest bus terminal for pickup. Price is calculated by length, weight, and the distance it’s traveling. We drop off packages in Akron, Ohio quite a bit.
Why do I choose this? Sometimes, it’s the most economical way to ship large and/or heavy packages. While a Corvette bumper doesn’t weigh much, its nearly 6 feet in length, combined with its width, would cost $150-$200 to ship via FedEx or UPS, if the package is even within their accepted shipping dimensions. The $80 (or less) that we charge for shipping via Greyhound covers the cost of the shipping, plus the cost of the box, for less than half of what it is via common carrier.
I’ve been shipping with Greyhound for 6 years now, in addition to using other services. I have only ever had one major problem, which is the lowest percentage of error among all of the services I use.
What happens, though, is that sometimes customers purchase an item and don’t realize that 1) the package doesn’t come directly to your door, or 2) the closest terminal is not exactly close.
As far as #1 goes, there are a few options. Some locations (but not all) can offer door-to-door service for an additional fee. Customers can also ask for a shipping upgrade to FedEx or UPS, also for an additional fee. Please note that this does NOT include packages that are outside of the common carrier’s weight or dimensions limit.
For #2, my recommendation is to check the Greyhound Package Xpress website at http://www.shipgreyhound.com before buying. Find the closest terminal that is convenient to your home, job, or some other location. Call the number to verify that the location does, in fact, accept packages and has hours convenient to you. In some parts of the country, the closest terminal can be over an hour away. In other parts (like New York,) there is a wider selection of terminals, but some are easier to get to than others. It’s OK to express a preference as to where you want your package to go. However, if picking up a package won’t work for you, please keep in mind that I may or may not be able to ship a particular package by any other method.
This is Greyhound Package Xpress shipping in a rather long nutshell. I won’t throw you under the bus, but your packages will be there 🙂
fastwrecks
Welcome to Sports Car Salvage. We are a niche hobbyist sports car dismantler located in Northeast Ohio, selling parts for C4 & C5 Corvettes, Mazda Miatas, and other sports and performance cars. We also restore diamonds in the rough. Let us help you with your restoration project.
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