++++ This post is for general information only, and not intended as a specific response to a poster or a rebuttal -- it is somewhat detailed +++
Any iris retailer realizes that how a plant arrives, and in what condition is still their responsibility.
Cutting corners in shipping, just for the sake of saving money nearly always results in damaged product and an unhappy customer. With the way the USPS handles packages, -- and I've seen it first hand, iris rhizomes sent in a flimsy box or envelope can be crushed, broken or even fall out of the package -- never to be retrieved. Believe me, as an iris retailer, ive tried in years past to cheapen the shipping rates -- the end results were frequent reports of damaged/or lost plants and unhappy customers.
All/most iris retailers prefer to ship priority mail. That is the safest way to get plants to their destination. The boxes are relatively sturdy and there's the option of insurance if things go pear-shaped during transit.
Sending parcel post does not save much money -- in fact depending on the distance it can be equally as much or more as sending priority mail. Also any iris retailer worth an ounce of integrity/and or intelligence will pack the box with material to cushion the plant against any rough handling. The extra handling and care put into shipping even a single rhizome will allow the retailer to keep a happy customer and guard against extra costs of having to dig and reship the order.
I can speak for most iris retailers in saying that they/we/I -- DO NOT make ANY money on shipping, and merely break even or take a slight loss on the shipping rates. I don't know how or why customers over the years got the notion that the retailer should somehow subsidize shipping. With cost running into the hundreds/thousands of dollars, in some instances, paid to the USPS, that is a big chunk of their operating costs. It doesn't even take into account the digging, washing, sanitizing, trimming, labeling and in some instances payroll costs.
Schreiners pays several million dollars a year in shipping even with preferring shipping rates given to larger volume retailers that ship.
So the question is --
Is it cheaper to use a flat rate box or your own box?
It depends on how far the package will travel.
If the retail and customer are in within zone USPS 3, 4, or 5 it is usually cheaper to ship regional rate boxes. If the customer is in zone 7 or 8 then flat rate boxes are usually cheaper. If both parties are in zone 1 or 2 it is usually cheaper to use your own box up to 2 pounds and regional rate boxes over that.
Try to cram a large, healthy rhizome in to a small flat rate box -- doesn't work and if you do shoehorn it in, chances are good it wont arrive in good condition.
Because Priority Mail is transported by air, it is a bit faster with a one- to three-day delivery period. Ground shipping, on the other hand, may take anywhere from two to eight days. Delivery time for both services may vary depending on many factors, including weather, delivery distance and unforeseen circumstances.
