Under a time crunch, I took in a bubble-wrapped small picture to UPS to package and mail. The clerk insisted the package could only be insured if I let them pack this small, already cushioned (by me) picture according to their "specifications". The amount they wanted to pack according to their "specifications" was $18.00 PLUS another $11.95 to ship my package. I am an eBayer who had to pay UPS $29.95 to ship a small, well-cushioned package. My total collected for my transaction with this customer was approx. $34.00. They refused to just sell me a box for my item as is and ship it.
If I was not under a time-crunch and having to leave town very soon, I would've gone to the Post Office and used Priority Mail (their boxes are free), had them stamp it "Fragile", insured it (about $1.50), and gotten their optional delivery confirmation (about $1.35). My total at the Post Office would've been around $9.50—a reasonable charge considering all I needed was a box in the first place.
UPS ripped me off approx. 18.00 in my calculation (a reasonable box fee would've been around $2.00). I will never again use UPS for shipping any of my items that I sell and I advise you not to do so either, especially if you want them to provide you with a box. They will likely give you a "song and dance" about needing to pack it according to their "specifications" or they will refuse to insure it. Beware of their "services".
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