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Can shipping prices differ by post office?

I was planning on ordering something from a person online (which can be risky business, I know, but this person seems pretty trustworthy and I've done it before) but they claim that they have to charge $13 for shipping because their post office charges ridiculous prices for shipping. Is there not a flat shipping rate or way to calculate shipping costs by weight that is constant throughout the US?

Public Comments

1. Different in every state. The post office is always the cheapest way to ship though.
2. The prices are different depending on weight, size and the distance. I believe there is no flat rate shipping.
3. The USPS has flat rate Priority (2-4 day) boxes ranging from $4.95 up depending on the size of what you're shipping. You can fit up to 70 lbs in them. The person you're dealing with is obviously trying to add a self-imposed handling fee for themselves. Tell then you request it; adding delivery confirmation or insurance is a little more extra.
4. No. Just by size and weight. State tax may apply as well.
5. Postage do not vary by post office. Some online stores have outrageous shipping and handling (One of the reasons I seldom order online). How are they shipping your order? that will vary there is Express mail, Priory mail, and First Class.
6. Postage depends on weight and distance between the mailer and the recipient. There are flat rate Priority Mail boxes, but not everything can fit in them. Like the commercial says, "If it fits, it ships."
7. The cost to mail something, of a particular weight, from point A to point B will be the same no matter what post office you go to. Online seller sometimes make extra cash off of you by tacking on a few extra bucks in shipping.