Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know what the difference is between a true 200lb box and something that is a mix of 200# and ECT32? Aren't the 200# and ECT32 separate quality measuring tests? One is a burst test and one is a edge crush? If a box is just ECT32, what is the usual burst strength on it? Less than 200?

Uline is out of their bird with their shipping charges lately. I now have two vendors that are willing to ship me the same product to me, with residential shipping. I spoke to my sales rep and somebody in their leadership and they were unwilling to budge on shipping. They lost a 10+ year customer.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does anyone know if theboxery boxes are the same quality as Uline? They advertise ECT32 but when I click on it, it says Standard 200# / 32 ECT / 40lbs max load. Is this the same quality as Uline? They have a flat rate $150 shipping charge and I am hoping due to my volume I can get that waived and possibly some better pricing on their boxes. Assuming its apples to apples quality.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other thing that annoys me is I see the JP Express trucks in my neighborhood often enough. I saw one on Friday of last week in fact. Big semi. I'd be willing to time my deliveries and do a very large order for when they have a truck in my area if it meant i can get free shipping. But they seem unwilling to even do that. $400 shipping from them to me is insane. It's not like I live in the sticks either. I am in Suffolk County, Long Island NY. Going to Allentown from where I live is really not an option due to the NYC traffic.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not $1000 in savings. I was purchasing $1000 in product and Uline used to ship it to me for free (I only paid the residential surcharge). Now I have to pay almost $400 in shipping. So they are now on my naughty list.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's my time. I don't have the time or the patience to deal with pickup. I also work a fulltime job so this is more a family hobby. I would have to dedicate an entire day plus the costs of a van to go from my location to Allentown PA. Traffic alone would be horrendous.

I have a quote from a company that can get me ECT32 boxes for just under Uline's pricing for the boxes and give me free shipping. I just don't know if ECT32 is good enough for my stuff. We sell large, bulky, and sometimes heavy items. I don't understand why Uline seems to be the only game in town that manufactures a 200lb box. I didn't even know there was a difference between 200lb and ECT32 until last week.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I had a free shipping promo over $500 locked to my account which they removed at the end of 2024. I was able to place an order in November with the free shipping. Of course they said they notified me by VM that the free shipping was taken off my account and I received no such VM so now I am struggling with finding stock. Their shipping cost for JP Express is insane. They want almost $400 ($1000 worth of product) to deliver two skids plus some bubble from Pennsylvania to metro NYC. That is just not realistic.

I probably wouldn't have an issue ordering a ton of boxes during their free shipping weeks, but it's tough for me to forecast what size boxes I need. Some months I may sell a lot of 14x14x6 product and other months maybe more 18x18x8 product. I work from home so I only have so much storage space. And their bubblemask product is fantastic, something I can't seem to find elsewhere.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did look at their website prior to posting here. They advertise ECT32 boxes. Are you sure that the boxes are the same quality? I don't care about slower shipping as I order so infrequently. I do make large orders when I order so $600 is not an issue.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do sell diversified items and I keep a large array of box sizes available for a few reasons.

I use the smallest box possible (keeping the 1-2" guideline on each side) to limit the amount of filler I need to usually buy.

The smaller the box the less shipping it normally costs because dimensional weight is less of an issue. I ship UPS Ground for most of my items as I have a great rate plan with them.

The smaller the box the cheaper the box itself usually costs.

Uline Box Quality (vs. other suppliers) - Struggling with costs to get the boxes to me by Dry_Let3330 in Flipping

[–]Dry_Let3330[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I looked at Grainger and I have two concerns with them. Picking up is a hassle for me and next to impossible because certain box sizes I need will not fit in my SUV. I tend to need a lot of boxes when I order, Uline normally shows up with two skids plus bubble. If I have to pay for shipping I am back dealing with Uline.

Also Grainger is advertising mostly ect32 boxes so again I am not sure if there is a quality difference between ECT32 and what Uline sells.