It's really easy to set up an account with Pirateship.com. That way you have the best of both worlds. When you put in the destination zip code, along with dimensions and weight, it gives you all options available. At first, they only did USPS, but now also offer UPS. I have done shipments where, depending on the zip code, UPS was half the cost of the Post Office. When you decide what is best, pay the payment for the label comes out of what ever credit card or PayPal account you sent it up with. It's ALWAYS been cheaper than the Post Office web site and their calculator. After paying for the label, just print it out and drop it off at the proper facility. Some people I have dealt with don't like UPS, so I ask anyone I deal with if they have a preference. and I tell them the actual cost. When it ships I email them the tracking numbers and such. If they supply a cell number and an email address, they can get alerts as to the progress of their package. Very convenient and the web site has upgraded and improved as time has gone by. I think it's the only way to go, myself. I also like to do a cardboard wrap around a kit box for protection. It keeps the cost down over what an over size box would cost and they are hard to find. If it's two kits the same size, I stack them with the tops facing each other and wrap with stretch wrap. That is that clear stretchy stuff they use on pallet loads but you can get it in smaller, short rolls to apply by hand to small items. Then I wrap the bundle with cardboard. I have sent out several kits and a lot of excess Cox stuff since I retired and have had no issues, knock on wood!!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee