Can't handle "overnight express" fees...

Congaken · Jan 19, 2016

Just a gripe that I suppose there is nothing to be done about...I live in a rural area where there is little to buy...so many corals on line look great...but...$40.00 overnight Fed Ex!...Anybody have an answer to this?...I only have a Nano 10, so I buy one or two at a time and "free shipping" comes with a $200 +order...I'm pretty sure that there is no solution to this...but...just asking...

Jimbo662 · Jan 19, 2016

unfortunately that's standard pricing that the carriers charge...I doubt the coral sellers are making any money off shipping charges other than to pay for materials.

WilRams · Jan 19, 2016

$40 sounds like a deal! I'm use to spending $50 for overnight. I get where you are coming from though. Paying for shipping has always irritated me (Prime everything!) but I also understand it has to be done. I usually wait for a live sale to get a few pieces to make the price of shipping feel "worth" it. Things add up quick in this hobby though so it's not hard to hit the free shipping cap for most vendors. This is also why I stay out of all the FB auctions. I'm not paying shipping on a single piece.

TheEngineer · Jan 19, 2016

You can't get better rates than that from someone in NY? Usually if you are within 1 zone of the seller you can get overnight under $20.

cmcoker · Jan 19, 2016

Encourage your friends to setup tanks, so you can order together and split shipping or get the free shipping..

human · Jan 19, 2016

I agree with cmcoker, but if you're in an area like me, reefers are few and far between unless its the other kind of reefer lol.

Pete polyp · Jan 19, 2016

Try to send something fedex overnight yourself. I have once and for 2 lbs it was $80

Rob.D · Jan 19, 2016

The cheapest I've been able to ship overnight was $95.....most vendors lose money on shipping.

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 19, 2016

Do you have s local reef club? Going to events like Reef-A-poolaza helps get you some good deals too.

Sabellafella · Jan 19, 2016

Congaken said:
Just a gripe that I suppose there is nothing to be done about...I live in a rural area where there is little to buy...so many corals on line look great...but...$40.00 overnight Fed Ex!...Anybody have an answer to this?...I only have a Nano 10, so I buy one or two at a time and "free shipping" comes with a $200 +order...I'm pretty sure that there is no solution to this...but...just asking...

Yea i feel for you pal. I too rather spend the extra 50 bucks to get a rare piece. friends of minethat have no access to lfs for hundreds of miles, eye out certain things they want overtime and drop the 200 for free shipping.

erk · Jan 19, 2016

You could always order from Unique Corals. They have a fairly low delivery charge. Like $19.

gooch · Jan 19, 2016

I ship mostly ground and my average shipping cost is about $35......ground. I shipped two $50 boxes today. Just wait until they hit you with the residential delivery charge, the extended area delivery charge and the fuel surcharge. Any chance they can tack on a few bucks they do. I ship a box that is 36"x24"x24" and it has an actual dimension of about 1/4" more. They then hit you with a rate adjustment and the charge goes from $60 to $130 for that 1/4". And this is again ground. I would never complain about $40 overnight. Ever. Oh and the 5% automatic rate increase every year always makes me feel good.

DanConnor · Jan 28, 2016

The mid Hudson club is pretty active- when I took down my reef to move a few years ago I unloaded a zillion frags to that club. There are 2 clubs in the Albany area, although neither has many meetings at the moment.

DanConnor · Jan 28, 2016

Also if you can make it up to the North Greenbush area Matt at Healthy Pet has put together a really nice reef setup. Nothing fancy, but good selection of regular stuff