I went Saturday to use them. After entering all the information they asked what it was told them airgun. They we don't ship them. But used them last time.
Both UPS and FedEx locations often have people there that don't know what they are talking about. Heck, it's the only legal way for a non-FFL to ship a firearm, yet somehow they think AG's can be an issue?
My two cents for anyone shipping an AG:
- make 100% sure that the gun is packed securely and CAN'T MOVE! If you can hear/feel it moving when you shake the box, add more cushion material so it doesn't!
- Make sure the box doesn't give away what's inside and is in good, sturdy condition (double box or extra wrap of cardboard is best)
- if they ask, it's "sporting goods."
- If you are going to box it up yourself, skip the in-store stuff, sign up with them online and print the label yourself - you will save money compared to doing it a retail location! All you need to do then and head to the retail location or drop-off point and leave the box with them.
Personally, I have found UPS to be slightly cheaper than FedEx and about the same or cheaper than the USPS if I'm printing the labels at home (they are all really close). I won't use USPS anymore, after they lost my FWB 124 for almost 3 weeks. The seller and I opened an investigation with them and, even months after the gun was delivered, I was getting regular emails from USPS letting me know that they hadn't found it yet but were still looking. But UPS and FedEx will charge you for a higher weight if your box is too big, whereas USPS will not (or at least not as quickly). So if you're shipping it in giant box, USPS is probably going to be less expensive.
The Post Office. Every time.
Reason being, UPS has a reputation for not paying for insured packages that they damage. Some of my friends got burned pretty bad by them. I have a close friend that works for UPS, and they have told me the same thing. It's a gamble to ship with them in my opinion.
The post Office on the other hand, will settle up fairly IME. I had a nice vintage HW35 arrive broken in half. I took pics, filled out a form, took it by the PO to have it looked at, and they had me a check for the full insured amount in a couple days. No arguing or hassle.
Avoid the "balloon rate" by keeping your combined dimensions (length+width) under 84 inches and the Post Office is usually fairly reasonable for shipping. And usually quicker too.
No opinion on FedEx, the one here in my town is a pain in the ass to deal with.
Long story short, to me there is more to it than price. Have a gun or two arrive broken and you will likely feel the same way. Pack em tight, and insure em.
I ship almost every day from a residence in a rural area and I use USPS. If you create an online account and print your own label they give a significant discount over taking it to the PO. Pickup at my residence is free without the "what's in the box" routine, the other two guys charge me $5 to pick up. Insurance is expensive and IME you will still have to fight to recover a claim and the process is not user-friendly. It is worth the extra effort to pack securely.
Normally, I use the USPS but my son had recently joined the Marine Corp and is stationed in Hawaii and wanted his guitar out there (about the same size as an air rifle). We were flying Sun Country and they wanted $75 for a large checked bag so I thought it would be interesting to see what UPS and FEDX wanted to get it out there. These were stores and not outlets but FEDX wanted $200 and the UPS Store wanted $300 (UPS Store will not ship anything gun related, not even a scope if you declare it). USPS was at $112. That settled it for me......we checked it and they didn't even charge for a "large bag" so we ended up at $35 to get it out there along with a bow for another $35. That settled it....USPS for me.
