Question about gun shipping charges

[William Davis]

Any insurance is just a bet. I don't insure against any loss I can afford to assume, placing my bet on delivery. Well packed package shipped with USPO signature on delivery no extra insurance is a pretty good bet.

Fed Ex on the other hand has a large number of contractors. Uniform may say Fed Ex, Truck too, They don't all work for Fed Ex, low pay, no company loyalty. Most UPS drivers are employees and theft not a real big issue. Very rare for a USPO employee to steal packages.

It's a choice not everybody see's it the same.

William

[C.O.B.]

I bought two Pre64 M70's from a fellow from Georgia who shipped them using USPS in the plastic gun guard cases no box!! When they never arrived he got the postal inspector involved and low and behold the guns had made it to Detroit where there was film of an employee putting the cases in the trunk of his car I did manage to get the guns and it all worked out ok but IMHO there was a lot of luck involved with this one.

[OH Osthaus]

Several years ago. They busted a small group in the Upstate NY UPS locations. They were stealing guns going through the system. If (big if) I remember correctly there was someone identifying certain packages leaving Ilion so that they could be redirected

It is likely very rare with modern tracking. But it does happen. I had an item -a big package - lost by FedEx last fall. A big heavy odd shaped package - one of a set. One no good with out the other, so I doubt it was a theft. One arrived. The other was never found.

[C.O.B.]

I just sent a Fox from MI to TX via UPS with insurance of $4000 for $53.00. I went directly to the UPS hub not one of the mall outlets AKA The UPS Store.
Dimensions and weight contribute the most to the shipping charges. I know it's less expensive if I'm sending a shotgun that can be broken down vs a rifle that requires a long box.

[Harry Reed]

In the southeast, the UPS Store policy in strip malls will not knowingly accept a firearm for shipment. I have been turned away many times and then have to find a UPS hub that will accept firearms. Shipping from a UPS Store is also the most expensive rate you can pay. I usually have my local FFL dealer ship them for a flat $40. They have a UPS account with better shipping rates. I have successfully shipped a firearm from a UPS Store back to the manufacturer for warranty/repair work, but the UPS label was provided.

[John Allen]

The insurance is what runs the price up but you need to unsure for at least your cost in the gun.All of these shipping companies and the USPS have people who can tear up a steel ball with a rubber hammer.I once had a Midas grade Browning delivered with tire tracks on the box.The gun was totaled and it took me 6 months to get reimbursed.I have long felt that most dealers just estimate shipping and wind up losing money on most shipments.