Shipping Hacks Needed - How to save a buck, or two!

Hi Fellas,

I recently bought a 3rd gen Tacoma and, probably like most of you at one point or another, found myself going down a mod rabbit hole. What I found? Unless you live in California or Colorado, you probably are getting eaten alive on shipping things like bumpers, sliders, and racks. (Heavy or big stuff)

With that in mind, thought some of you that have been in the game longer than others, or maybe just order more than some of us, might know a way to save money, or possibly time.

This is likely, and selfishly, more for those of us who didn’t realize all-things Tacoma, at least in the States, happen to mostly be in Colorado or westward.

Calling on all you gents who have managed to find a way to shave a shipping dollar here or there. Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you,

Nathan

 

Pick them up at the manufacturer (factory).

 

Buy stock in the most popular shipping companies the manufacturers use.

Beyond that wait till the product is on sale to recoup some of the inital cost of buying a product that needs to be shipped.

 

The only two things that come to mind are TW Express or attempting to plan a trip to be in the area when it's ready to be picked up and then going yourself.

However, living in the midwest myself I'm curious what others come up with!

 

We are in a similar boat, my friend. I might as well be on the Moon when it comes to Tacoma aftermarket parts. I’m in Georgia. I can’t believe with as many truck owners as we have in the South (quite a few of those are Toyota products) that there is almost nothing here on the fabrication side of things.

 

Gents? There are women on TW, you know.

...and they're really a couple of very nice people.

(I know, not helping)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

TDub express, group buys, holiday discounts or I think greyhound may ship if it’s dropped off.

 

Yeah here too, I reached out to 3 local fab shops to work on some bolt on sliders with the intention of them coming up with something they could reproduce. Ya know for ever 5 vehicles ya see at least one is a Tacoma/tundra/4runner. But none of them would consider. My budget was higher for that type of project, helping local business and such. I guess I get it, either too busy or don't want to eat a bit of labor for r&d but oh well.

 

Instead of buying directly through the online store, use live chat and ask if they have any promo codes or if they can offer one time deals on specific items. I saved $160 on bed cover and $40 on CAI.

 

Hey @FrayDoh - Thanks for this! I’m giving it a shot today with some lower control arm skids.

 

If no live chat is available, give them a call.... 10 minutes of my time is worth saving some money.

 

Shipping things that weigh less than 2 pounds and is in a small box USPS still cant be beat. If your employer has a shipping department see if you can ship and receive though your employer. They more than likely get carrier discounts and you can take advantage of those as well. Most companies will do that. With my employer our UPS rates are really good. I tried to go to the UPS store with out their account and about hit the floor on shipping charges.
Weigh and size does matter. They can hit you either way.

 

Thank you, @RLMoody! I know some Moody’s outside of Atlanta. Not sure if they’re your kin or not but they are good folks!