How much does it cost you to send packages? How do you reduce shipping costs?

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Everyone, 

 

This past week I sent several small gifts to other states here in the U.S for my friends. 

 

1 package was fairly small, about the size of a mini tablet but did not weigh much at all.  However the post office charged me around $9 which surprised me!  I was expecting to be charged maybe $3-4

 

Another package I sent was in a flat but larger soft package.

The package had only 2 medium T-shirts that were very light in weight.

 

But the post office charged me around $16  

I was very disappointed.

But I paid the amount so that my friends could receive the gifts.

 

But are these prices normal for shipping items?

I have little experience in recent years mailing packages.

 

If prices are this high for shipping where you live, 

have you find ways to reduce the costs?

 

I would appreciate any advice, thanks! 

I just was not expecting to pay this much for shipping small items. 

[cme]

Bro. Neil, this is everywhere.  No matter how small the package you pay a steep fee.

 

The house always wins.

[SUNRAY]

2 hours ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

 

have you find ways to reduce the costs?

Brother Neil..I don't know if you could use stamps for your packages, or give the shipper the stamps to pay for the postage, but there are people who buy a huge amount of stamps from the United States Post Office at a significant discount and then sell those stamps to others at a discount making a small profit. In our congregation here in Florida a pioneer sister provjdes 100 stamps at a cost of $18! Those who write letters for the territory buy stamps from her and since she is homebound and a pioneer she benefits and the friends benefit!