ShipWizz is a shipping rate calculator for the iPhone – an app that displays major couriers’ shipping quotes side by side. Quotes are sorted by service levels: same day, next day, 2 days, 3-5 days, week+. This is a useful app for someone who needs to send out a parcel or an envelope and does not want to overpay by blindly going with a single carrier.

Shipping companies usually are not too keen to display their competitor’s rates side by side with their own. And that’s understandable – they want to get your dollars. ShipWizz gives you the power to make an educated decision that will save you time and money.

ShipWizz Lite is a free version of the application that offers basic functionality and is available for a download at: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/id338568589?mt=8

ShipWizz Pro has all the features of ShipWizz Lite plus support for multiple currencies, postal code lookup for USA and Canada and a feature to enter carrier specific discounts. It is available for a download at http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/id338788447?mt=8 for a fee. The cost of the application can be easily recovered by using it only a couple of times and selecting the cheapest shipping option.

The application was developed by www.sourcewizz.com

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=327014726&mt=8

SHIPWIZZ for iPhone is suited for people who want to save money when it comes to shipping single or multiple packages across the world. The application works directly with major shipping companies like UPS©, FedEx©, TNT©, US Postal Service© and Canada Post© to deliver the most accurate rates.  We worked long and hard to bring the benifits of ShipWizz.com on to your mobile device. We are sure you will like the intuitive and easy to use interface and will use the application extensively. 

 All you need is a country and postal code of origin, destination and package weight and dimensions. SHIPWIZZ for iPhone will display the break down of all available shipping options in your area in a matter of seconds. All search results are conveniently sorted by delivery date and price to make your decision as easy as possible.

Shipping rates are displayed in whatever currency is currently selected. If you would like to convert already displayed rates from one currency to another, simply choose the desired currency from the drop down list and the rates will be instantly converted. Our conversion rates are refreshed daily based on Bank of Canada’s noon conversion exchange rates.

We hope you find this new feature a useful addition to our FREE shipping rate comparison service.

ShipWizz.com, the Internet’s premier shipping rate comparison site is proud to announce the addition of envelope rating capability. Users now have the ability to compare shipping rates for envelopes and Paks across all our supported couriers.

To find the best shipping rate for envelopes or Paks, select the Envelope type just above the Add Package link and choose between the Normal or Large Envelope types. If you are not sure what category your envelope belongs to, click on the question mark to look up various envelope type dimensions and sizes.

After choosing your envelope/Pak type and size, enter envelope weight in pounds or kilograms and click on the Get Rates button to find the cheapest rates.

Founded in October 2008, SHIPWIZZ.COM is the Internet’s most comprehensive online service that provides accurate courier shipping rates. SHIPWIZZ.COM rate engine allows users across the world to compare shipping rates from international and national couriers.

For more information visit: www.shipwizz.com

Product Inventory and Packaging

Saving on shipping rates begins in your own warehouse. Keep sufficient inventory of your products to ensure that your most popular items are on hand at all times. Proper inventory is important because when your customers order multiple items, they expect to receive those items all at once. When you have to split an order into two shipments because of back ordering, your shipping costs increase dramatically because you are now paying for two separate packages instead of one. You may also lose any quantity discounts by splitting up the shipments.

How you package items can also affect your shipping costs. Use lightweight packaging supplies when possible. For smaller items, you might be able to use a padded envelope instead of a box.

For fragile items, use lightweight protective materials such as Styrofoam or plastic fillers to secure the item from all sides. When packing multiple fragile items into one box, wrap each item individually to avoid damage. For heavy or large cargo, follow the shipping company’s recommended procedures for packaging on pallets to save on shipping and to properly secure your products.

Compare Shipping Rates among Carriers

Check with a number of carriers to compare shipping rates before choosing a service. Ask about base shipping rates, discounts for regular customers, and procedures on domestic and international shipping. Also ask about refund policies for late deliveries and insurance coverage for damaged goods.

Shipping rates vary from one company to the next, and are also affected by the weight and size of your product, method of delivery, and other factors. For shipping small items or items that weight below 100 pounds, compare your local postal service (USPS) with other nearby parcel companies including UPS, FedEx, DSL, etc. These companies are usually all dependable, but do vary in their shipping rates.

One good place to compare shipping rates is an online rate comparison website – ShipWizz.com. This is a FREE online tool that allows you to compare public shipping rates across major couriers. The user interface is sleek and very friendly, and the rates produced by the tool are extremely accurate.

Adequate Records and Tracking

Another way to save on shipping is to keep adequate records for every product that is shipped, and to track your products on a regular basis. Document what was shipped, to whom it was shipped, the shipping rate, expected delivery date, and the actual delivery date once it has been delivered. This enables you to keep track of all packages at all times and to ensure that you’re not losing money on shipping.

*Hint: You can use shipping management software to easily keep these records and possibly incorporate the software into your current product/customer database.

Understand the True Costs of Shipping

Shipping rates alone should not be used to determine your true costs. There are many other costs involved in shipping. Packaging supplies such as boxes, inserts, fillers, shipping tape, and handling labor all affect your shipping costs. Factor these into the shipping rates you charge your customers when they purchase a product.

Other Savings Tips

There are other ways to save on shipping as well. You can save time and money on handling and packaging by using a drop shipping company to do your shipments for you. The drop shipping company will maintain the inventory and ship the products while you only take in the orders.

You can avoid high shipping rates by using the least costly option for shipments. Avoid overnight or Express shipping unless your customer requests this type of shipment and is willing to pay extra.

Also, once you have formed a relationship with a shipping firm, you might be able to renegotiate shipping rates. Let them know that you are comparison shopping on rates, but that you would prefer to continue using their service.

Don’t allow high shipping rates to hinder your business. Start taking these steps today to realize tremendous savings on shipping.

Author: Candice Pardue, adopted by shipwizz

Then it’s simply a case of using the web to compare shipping rates and find the cheapest rate. One of the most user friendly and accurate online shipping rate comparison engines is ShipWizz.com.  They provide a sleek interface and a 1, 2, 3 step approach to get your rates in the shortest amount of time.

The following are a few basic guidelines on how to effectively package goods for shipment without the aid of a shipping company:

Whenever possible always use new, corrugated boxes with rigid sides and no tears or punctures. Make sure that you choose a box that is durable enough and large enough to hold the goods that you are planning on shipping. Boxes should always be significantly larger than the goods that are to be packed in to them so as to accommodate for internal support and packaging. If you are reusing a box, make sure that you have removed all labels from previous shipments before packing the box.

Goods should be placed in the centre of boxes and surrounded by internal cushioning such as bubble wrap or polystyrene chips. Make sure that as you pack you continuously update the inventory of items that are to be shipped and clearly label boxes so that they correspond directly with items on the inventory list. Sharp items should be individually wrapped in bubble wrap AND surrounded by internal cushioning so that they do not touch the sides or corners of the box. Liquids should only ever be stored in hermetically sealed containers that are designed to withstand pressure. In the case of fragile items it is best to buy specially reinforced wooden or cardboard boxes that are pre-fitted with separators.

Check the bottom and sides of boxes for the maximum weight that boxes can hold and never exceed these specifications. High lift forks are often used to lift boxes into shipping containers, and if goods are too heavy there is a good chance that boxes may break and goods will be damaged. Similarly, boxes that are under filled are likely to collapse as soon as they are lifted off the ground, so make sure that boxes are substantially filled with internal cushioning.

The seams and corners of boxes should be properly sealed using pressure sensitive plastic tape that is at least 6cm wide. Before you seal the box, it is a good idea to write both your current address and phone number as well as the address where the goods are being shipped to on a piece of paper and place it inside the box. This will enable personnel to locate you should anything happen to external labels during shipping.

Finally, it is advisable to pack goods on wooden or cardboard pallets before they are loaded. Pallets provide additional external support and make it possible to minimize the amount of space taken up by boxes. Use the pyramid principle when you pack and load the heaviest, largest boxes onto the pallets first and leave the lightest, smallest boxes for last. Once all your boxes are loaded onto the pallets, use bands, shrink wrap and tape to secure them into a single, compact package that can easily be loaded into a container.

And don’t forget to shop online for the best possible rate before you dial a courier company. ShipWizz.com will save you time and money.

Source: http://www.guide4home.com/care-ship/rates.htm , adopted by shipwizz