Hi,
I'm shipping a 24x36 image from Arizona to Virgina. The best rate I can find is $115 from FEDEX. UPS is $135 and USPS won't ship that big. I know there are better rates for business that ship a lot, for example the cost for the framers to ship the empty frames and acrylic to me is only $20. It's not the weight that's the driving factor, it's the size of the box.
I'll set up a business account with FEDEX as I hear I may be able to save a little by doing it on line, but I'll not be shipping more than a package a month so I don't get a high volume discuount.
Any ideas on how to ship at a more reasonable rate than this?

Thanks,

Ted

Ship it via ground, rather than air? Also look for professional group discounts when you sign up with FedEx...they won't be huge, but I believe that I get discounts on my account from associations like ASMP and the Freelancer's Union.

You could try DHL - without going into too much detail or anecdotal evidence, I believe they have better rates on large size items than FedEx.

If you have an option use a print house like WHCC and Drop ship the print to the client. They get massive discounts. It would cost you about $7.00 drop ship fee for 2nd day UPS. Doing a 24x36 with hard backing would be way less then what you will pay for shipping alone. Of course that is not framed. They do offer frames that are costly in my opinion but not when you consider the after market shipping.

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have access to DHL in my town, so that was a good try, but no luck. I do my own printing so drop shipping may be a future option, but not for this order. I did get shipping down to $40 by using a 3 inch deep box instead of 6 inches, so I'm happy for this one. If I had to use the 6 inch box I had it would have been rediculous.

Thanks for the ideas, I appreciate the response.

Ted

I shipped a 16x24 canvas recently, and the shipping itself was only $18. Having the folks make a custom box for me cost me another $25 or so, unfortunately, but I don't think it should cost you over $100 to ship...