I may need to ship between 5-10 boxes, mostly books, maybe some
clothes and linens, from CT to CA.  I have spent quite a while looking
for a quote online, but every since site I find wants me to submit
personal info, and then they will call me with a quote, which I am
really not interested in doing.

At this point, all I need is a really rough estimate, because I'm
trying to compare the costs of shipping vs renting a van and driving
the stuff myself.  So what I would like as an answer is an ESTIMATE. 
It only needs to be accurate to the nearest $100 or so.  If I needed
the exact cost, I would definitely pay more for this question.  All I
need is a general idea.

Oh, and it totally doesn't matter how long it takes for the stuff to
get there, so I would prefer "really cheap but it takes 3 weeks" to
"gets there by the end of the week but it'll cost you more."

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 21 Oct 2003 11:40 PDT

Assuming each box wil be the same size, tell me the weight of ONE of
the boxes packed, sealed and ready-to-go. I also need the zip code
where they will be sent FROM and the zip code they will be sent TO.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Hi maisie,

According to the USPS website, you can send a "Large" box of books
weighing 30 pounds from CT to CA for $10.84 via Media Mail (7 days). I
have done this myself and have been very happy with the service - it's
easy, economical, and reasonably fast. So, eight 30 pound boxes of
books would cost less than $90.00 to mail. Make sure the boxes are
strong (you can get them for free at the supermarket - pick out the
heavier kind rather than the thin light stuff) and use lots of boxing
tape to seal them up. Pack the books tight so they don't slosh around
- you can stick crumpled newspaper or bubblewrap in spaces to make it
tight (don't use clothes or anything else, because it would invalidate
the "Media Mail"). I suggest you mail your books and take the lighter
stuff with you in the car.

http://postcalc.usps.gov/
30 pounds: Media Mail  7 Day(s) $10.84

Restrictions Apply: Media Mail (Book Rate):

"Used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test
materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts,
loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information,
videotapes, and computer recorded media such as CD-ROMs and diskettes.
Media Mail cannot contain advertising.
The maximum size is 108 inches in combined length and distance around
the thickest part.
Mark each package "Media Mail" in the postage area."

Here are some rates for Media Mail:
Weight not over (pounds) 	Rate
15 					 6.34
20 					 7.84
25 					 9.34
30 					10.84
35 					12.34
40 					13.84
http://www.usps.com/consumers/domestic.htm#standard

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or if you're not happy
with the idea of using the USPS, please post a clarification request
before rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

Thanks very much.  I thought it was going to be four or five hundred
dollars, but you found me a great loophole.  The packing tips were
also very useful!

Hi maisie,

Thank you - I thought you would be happy to hear about Media Mail.
It's not a well kept secret but it seems the majority of people have
never heard of it. It can be used for a single item, such as a
magazine, on up to heavy boxes such as you are talking about.

Your note reminded me of a similar question that I posted some
shipping tips - here they are:

Boxes: Go to the supermarket and choose cubes rather than flat boxes.
Look at the edges of the cardboard and compare the thickness - the
thicker the better. You will find most boxes are rated for strength -
look for the edge crush number (usually the higher the number the
stronger the box). Double corregated boxes are the best.
 
Tape: Duct tape isn't pretty but it works fine if you don't want to
spring for "box tape". Don't skrimp on tape - tape all edges and
double-tape if the boxes are very heavy.
 
Wrapping: While you are at the supermarket, pick up some of the brown
paper grocery bags. Cut off the bottoms, slit it open. Putting the
printed side in, you can use these to cover the boxes, taping all
edges.
 
Packing: Pack the book boxes tightly. Ideally, the books should be
wrapped in
plain paper, and then newspaper, before packing. Stack them inside the
box according to size. Fill all spaces with something (crumpled
newspaper). The idea is you don't want the books rattling around and
bumping into each other.
 
Remember, it is impossible to "over-pack".

Thanks again, hummer