Not again, Phil.
Yes, our good friend is back at it again; with too much time on his hands to browse the internet for the latest tech gadgets, he finds himself in yet another jam. Haven’t you heard of Phil? Feel free to read how he scheduled a UPS return and saved the world from Thanos for a recap.
Today, Phil isn’t saving the world, but he still might get a stern look from his wife, Claire, once she finds out what he’s been doing. As we know, he is an avid tech guy and buys every new gadget available under the guise of doing reviews for his YouTube channel, which has at least 23 followers and counting. Since the release of the Apple Mac Studio in March of 2022, Phil has been looking every day for a hot deal since the list price is $1,999.
Not enough time to drop off your return return?Your first return pickup is free. Try now →Today must be Christmas; come early since the Mac Studio is on Adorama with an early Black Friday discount for $1,799. Phil thought it was an unheard-of price as he sheepishly added it to his shopping cart, knowing his wife would likely not be pleased. Then his conscience appears, asking if he needs this Mac product for his line of business. Without hesitation, the devilish side of Phil’s mind appears on his other shoulder, encouraging the purchase. Playing out the battle mentally, he found justification quickly. With the Mac Studio M1 Ultra processor, he could edit, finalize, and upload his tech videos with blazing speed. Making this purchase would help his YouTube channel go viral, winning the respect and admiration of his wife.
We should tell Phil a tech review isn’t the same as a dog skateboarding and will never go viral.
With a simple click, his new toy was on its way. After the purchase, Phil sees the large shipping box delivered by UPS in the corner of his garage. Yes, he purchased the LG Ultrathin 2 two weeks ago from a random Shopify store that didn’t offer free shipping. That decision now looks worse than his justification.
Tail between his legs, he searches for what size box he needs to return the screen and a site to help him calculate shipping box sizes with prices. He better hurry up. Claire will be home shortly; she always knows when he is up to something.
Don’t worry; asking “how to measure a box” is not crazy. You know how to use a measuring tape and understand length, width, and depth. However, shipping carriers like UPS, USPS, and FedEx charge by dimensional weight ( volume ) or the shipment's actual weight. At the shipping store, they might ask about your product's dimensions, volume, or girth, or online. Understanding them will help you get a right-sized box and the best price for shipping your package or return.
Today is not a biology lesson, but girth can be important when shipping packages, especially for large boxes ( TV boxes ) or uniquely shaped containers such as cylinders ( posters or prints). Some shipping carriers require the box's girth to calculate the shipping cost.
Using the measurement recorded previously. Simply multiply the width and height of the box by two. After that, combine the results, and that is your girth.
Girth = 2 x width + 2 x height.
As Fancy Nancy might say, this is a fancy way for shipping carriers to ensure we aren’t sending our grandmother a pencil in a ginormous box. Shipping carriers used only to use weight and distance to calculate shipping costs back when we used the abacus ( well, not that long ago ).
Whether beginners are trying to be funny by sending tiny objects in large mailers or shipping companies are trying to get consumer attention with huge packages. Shipping carriers don’t want their trucks filled with mostly empty boxes - it takes up precious cubic inches and doesn’t make them as much money if they only use weight to determine the shipping cost. They are in business, and it's okay - they make money.
At long last, here is the formula.
Dimensional Weight = Volume / ( 166 in the U.S./Puerto Rico or 139 internationally)
Unlike a stranger asking what you weigh, it is acceptable for carriers to ask how much your package weighs. We don’t need to provide instructions on how to weigh a box. Similarly, a flight attendant doesn’t need to show you how to buckle your seat belt. We understand it's necessary for the FAA, but Tommy Boy covered it.
However, weight is significant in calculating shipping rates, so you should ensure you are close. If you have a postage scale, then perfect; use that to measure the weight, but if not, you might want to use a kitchen scale, provided the box isn’t too big. Last resort, DIY it - you could use a bathroom scale for larger packages or if it is the only measuring tool you have. Simply step on the scale with your box, write down the weight, put the box down, measure yourself, and subtract the difference. Don’t worry; this isn’t middle school math class, and the carriers won’t ask to see your work.
If you found yourself in a similar situation as Phil, you probably spent a reasonable amount of time figuring out what size box you needed for UPS or FedEx to return your product. You can’t go back and un-buy that product from a retailer or small business that didn’t offer free return shipping. However, we can help get some time back by avoiding driving to and from the shipping store, once you have the return label.
What if you could have your package returned without ever needing to get in your car or make an unneeded stop at the UPS store?
Quick Ship Today helps you schedule a pick-up for any retailer you may have purchased from, like REI, Athleta, Apple, Shein, and others.
Bundling your returns and scheduling a single pick-up will save you time and money, but most importantly, it frees up your hectic schedule to do something that matters to you, be it enjoying your new Mac Studio or hiding it from your wife.
Use Quick Ship Today, have your return picked up right at home and get at least 20 minutes back in your day.
One, three, or even ten returns from different brands, it's all still covered with one low price, $8.99
Use Quick Ship Today, have your return picked up right at home and get at least 20 minutes back in your day.
One, three, or even ten returns from different brands, it's all still covered with one low price, $8.99
At first, we didn't think returns were a big deal. But then we found out that 20% of the things we buy online end up being returned. Learn why returns matter →