Don't spend a ton on shipping, lets talk
Shipping is the bane of our existance as mail-in racers. There's no such thing as free shipping but there is reasonable shipping...and then there's expensive shipping.
On average, you can ship 2 cars to just about anywhere in the US for around $5 using the USPS. You can spend more, and you can spend less. Of course, if you're in a rush, you'll pay through the nose...and if you ask me, you should never feel like you're a big rush to get cars to a host.
We all make deadline dates for our races and for good reason. But those dates should rarely ever be etched in stone.
If you're ever looking at spending more than $10 to ship a couple cars, always contact the host and discuss the situation. I'd like to think that most hosts will happily try to adjust things if there is enough of a heads up. I know I'll happily make changes if I know someone's car is one the way but they got the car in the mail by the deadline (postmarked).
Look, everyone is obviously free to spend what they want to get a car from point A to B, but just know that you shouldn't have a spend a ton extra just to make a date. We're not shipping court documents or job contracts...we're shipping toy cars to race. We like the bragging rights that come with winning a tournament but that victory shouldn't have to come the expense of shipping.
Again, if you're looking at a big bill for shipping, contact the host and try to figure something out so we can all keep the evil of shipping as low as possible.
Discussion
I've never really had this problem. Being raised by Appalachian people we were always taught to be punctual. Being early things don't feel rushed. You have more time to do a thing. For example, I'm building my cars for Winter Nationals this week. If all goes well they will be in the mail next week with extra time to ship thru the holiday rush.
Not to say all is well. My heavyweight is a mess. Ive had to grind weights, re-shape wheel wells to accommodate for rubbing, a hot mess but Lord willing ole girl will go out next week.
Then onto the Rookie rally. Two months away but there's no reason why I can't start now. The extra time means extra speed and I really want this one.
Fair enough. I'm not suggesting dates should be ignored or think they're infinite, of course not. But I guess I am also speaking from a point that I always try to have at least a week of time between the deadline and the actual race date to account for mail time and last minute sends. Life happens.
And I guess it doesn't make me feel good knowing someone spent $25 or more to send me a car to race down my track. Either way, we all want to be as accommodating as we can and I think it's fair to always communicate with the host if something comes up...it never hurts to ask.
- Communication is key in all relationships. Another Appalachian teaching... Always ask questions. There's no such thing as a stupid question. — CrazyEights
- Well that I can certainly agree with. And having a week between the deadline does leave you a buffer. Does a date have to be set in stone no, but I do believe keeping somewhat of a deadline is good for everyone involved. It helps to plan out your schedule in my opinion and everyone has to decide for themselves if they can meet a deadline. — BlueLineRacing
- Mike, there IS such a thing as a stupid question .... the one that isn’t asked. — SpyDude
- if not asked ,then it was never a question. Merely a thought. — CrazyEights
I give myself a "ship by" dead line for each race I'm interested in of one week before the entry deadline. If I can't make the deadline, the car gets redirected to another project.
I'm interested to hear a race director's experiences here. I know most want to help everyone and probably get barraged by pleas for extensions.
- Extension cries are usually few and far between, honestly. And I'd like to think overnight shipping is rare too...this conversation is about those rare exceptions when someone feels like they need to. — redlinederby
I've only done a few races but I can tell you people are great when it comes to this. We all have schedules and almost every car has come on time. Last race two came a day late and it wasn't a big deal. Some people cancelled last minute and I worked around that and appreciated the heads up. We communicated with each other and all was good. I would accommodate anyone anyway I could within reason. Everyone has to understand when they miss a deadline it not only affects the hosts schedule but everyone else involved in the race. Speaking for myself as a host, I just wanted to give everyone involved a race that they could be confident would go off on time after all the delays and cancelled races I felt that was important. If I'm wrong and everyone likes a more casual, race the cars whenever style then I'd love to know. I just think most people appreciate a race that happens in a timely manner. I also don't want to see anyone spend 25 dollars for shipping but we are all grown men and if someone wants to spend their money that way for convienevce then who am I to tell them not to.
I like to give a week now, it used to be a weekend between deadline and race day. I also ask if you're sending me a car to PLEASE send me a tracking number so I know it's on its way and can wait. I will also update everyone as there car shows up and update the original post. I will gladly accommodate anyone willing to communicate. Just please communicate.
I think deadlines are important, but ya its nice to have some wiggle room. As a Host we are in control of these deadlines. Rather than tell the public your 'real' deadline date, give them a date that is a week or two prior to allow for wiggle room.
A lot of people end up waiting till last minute, its a trap we all fall into from time to time. I would hate to miss out on a quality car/participant because something came up and they were unable to get it in on time. Or it is in the mail already and just hasn't arrived yet.
With that said, I agree with RDL, do not spend more than you need too. Ya it's only a few extra dollars but once you get into the custom diecast racing game, its likely you will be sending out cars all over the place and it will eventually add up! No need to spend more than you need too.
I disagree. Deadlines are made for several reasons. Usually you have two months to make a race. D64 has a race and it goes off on schedule. For the most part DCRX too. Why? Because people are waiting for the race to go off and have other race deadlines to make. Sometimes they want to use the cars they send to the host in another race. We have all seen what can happen when you get backed up on race dates. If you plan accordingly you should be able to make a 2 month deadline. After that you have the choice of skipping the race or paying the extra money to get it there on schedule. I'm speaking for myself here. Not everyone else.