I grew up in upstate New York (Fort Ann) which is about 30 or so miles from Betterbee (Greenwich). Whenever I am back there visiting relatives I drive over to Betterbee to buy equipment which I then mail, parcel post to myself up here in Anchorage.
OK, so what’s my shipping cost for doing it myself? For me to ship 20 lbs. to Alaska, parcel post, taking about 3 weeks will be $26.00. Express shipping, three days, will cost $36.40. I have to pay that either way, whether Betterbee ships it or I do.
Round trip to Betterbee from my sister’s home is 60 miles. Figuring 20 miles to the gallon, consuming 3 gallons of gas at $2.35 a gallon costs $7.00. Betterbee’s preferred shipper is UPS. They will ship via the Post Office to places such as Alaska not served by UPS ground, but their catalog mentions an extra surcharge for going to the Post Office.