Alright guys, I'm at my wits end when it comes to shipping my case. Quotes for shipping my case in the US range from around $20 to $60, not awful, but more expensive than necessary. However, as soon as my case crosses a border, the shipping more than quadruples. I am getting quotes for shipping to places in Europe for a minimum of $200. That is beyond outrageous.
A little insight into my case for those who aren't familiar with it. It's made out of four pieces: a main chassis piece in a large "C", back panel/motherboard tray and two side panels. I currently have it manufactured out of 14 gauge cold rolled steel. Weight of the case: 23 pounds. Dimensions: ~14.5in long, 6.5in wide, and ~13in high. I know what you're thinking, "holy crap that case weighs a TON!" and yes it does. That is why I have elected to go with aluminum for final production. This should save me some weight, about 6-7 pounds making the case around 16 pounds. Alright, so how much does that effect shipping?
I have a guy who lives in Belgium who is interested in purchasing the case. The shipping quote for the case made out of cold rolled steel? $286 via FedEx. The price with it made out of aluminum? $258 via FedEx. Ouch.... so there goes all of my potential international customers.
How on earth do I get the cost of shipping down?? A case redesign is out of the question. Yes, I know redesigning it so it could be flat packed would drop shipping prices like a stone but there goes anything special about my case. So, how on earth are order fulfillment places able to ship 25 pound, large packages internationally for $35-$80?
I would go that method using an order fulfillment center if more people were interested in my case. As it sits now, my initial estimate of manufacturing 100 cases total, ever, has been cut at least in half. So, order fulfillment places won't give me the time of day dealing with around 10 cases at a time, plus, the cost of having them freighted from my manufacturer to the order fulfillment location will negate any cost savings.
I'm lost guys.
A little insight into my case for those who aren't familiar with it. It's made out of four pieces: a main chassis piece in a large "C", back panel/motherboard tray and two side panels. I currently have it manufactured out of 14 gauge cold rolled steel. Weight of the case: 23 pounds. Dimensions: ~14.5in long, 6.5in wide, and ~13in high. I know what you're thinking, "holy crap that case weighs a TON!" and yes it does. That is why I have elected to go with aluminum for final production. This should save me some weight, about 6-7 pounds making the case around 16 pounds. Alright, so how much does that effect shipping?
I have a guy who lives in Belgium who is interested in purchasing the case. The shipping quote for the case made out of cold rolled steel? $286 via FedEx. The price with it made out of aluminum? $258 via FedEx. Ouch.... so there goes all of my potential international customers.
How on earth do I get the cost of shipping down?? A case redesign is out of the question. Yes, I know redesigning it so it could be flat packed would drop shipping prices like a stone but there goes anything special about my case. So, how on earth are order fulfillment places able to ship 25 pound, large packages internationally for $35-$80?
I would go that method using an order fulfillment center if more people were interested in my case. As it sits now, my initial estimate of manufacturing 100 cases total, ever, has been cut at least in half. So, order fulfillment places won't give me the time of day dealing with around 10 cases at a time, plus, the cost of having them freighted from my manufacturer to the order fulfillment location will negate any cost savings.
I'm lost guys.
