Sending a small 3-pound package from Chicago to Orlando, Fla., might cost $3 or nearly $90 for speedy delivery. Retail shipping prices vary and change often, so it’s worth knowing your options.
Significant distinctions among shipping choices and prices mostly come between the U.S. Postal Service and its rivals. That’s because UPS and FedEx tend to be competitive with each other.
For a consumer occasionally shipping packages, especially small ones, the Postal Service often is the best bet, experts say. But UPS and FedEx may be better for larger and heavier items going farther.
Flat rate: Stuff as much as you can into a USPS Priority Mail flat-rate envelope or box for one price, but it’s worth weighing your package if it’s less than 10 pounds and considering the weight-based rate.
Media mail: The post office has low shipping rates for books, CDs and DVDs. But the item must be less than 70 pounds, contain only media and must not have advertising. (So no magazines.)
To compare prices, try or the shippers’ own websites.
