Tips for Shipping a Computer Inexpensively
First, you will need an appropriate box and packaging materials. A box and packaging materials can cost up to $10 at an office supply store, so you should try to find materials you can use for free if possible. Plastic shopping bags are one type of packaging material you probably already have. Try to use lightweight materials like bubble-wrap, plastic bags, and foam rather than paper and cardboard, as heavier materials will add to the shipping cost. If you use materials with small pieces (like packing peanuts or shredded paper), put the computer inside a bag to prevent pieces from entering the disk drive or ventilation grates. Keep in mind that major surcharges can be added (especially for USPS Parcel Post) if a very large box is used. If items included with the computer (keyboard, printer, monitor, books, etc.) are of substantial size, you may want to send them in a separate smaller box, which will also make it easier to carry.
When you have finished packaging the computer, you will have to decide where to take it for shipping. If there is a mailing store in your area which offers multiple shipping options (USPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) like Goin’ Postal, this will allow you to compare prices without carrying a heavy box into separate establishments (Post Office, UPS Store, etc). If the computer is a laptop or a compact desktop model, USPS Parcel Post will probably be the best service to use. Otherwise, any one of the shipping services could be cheapest, depending upon the destination, weight, and box size. Priority Mail can actually be cheaper than Parcel Post for some large boxes, as there may not be an oversize surcharge. You will probably want to insure the computer’s shipping for at least $50 unless it is of very low value. USPS Media Mail cannot be utilized for computers or their parts, but can be used to mail software and books. If the computer includes a large amount of software and/or heavy manuals, it may be worth sending them with Media Mail if the recipient doesn’t mind possibly receiving them a few days later than the computer.
Before you even package up the computer and accessories, you may want to attempt making the contents smaller if possible. If you are giving the computer as a gift, try to determine if the recipient already has items such as a monitor, printer, scanner, power cords, blank disks, etc. Standard CRT monitors can be purchased used quite inexpensively these days. If you are selling a computer online, you might want to offer sending the monitor for an extra shipping fee, but don’t require that it be included. If the computer is an older model with a non-standard monitor port, be sure to make this clear in the advertisement.
Keeping these tips in mind should help you package and ship your computer with the least difficulty possible.
