Paty Package Center questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>We’ve decided to fly down for move-in instead of drive, so we’ll be shipping son’s stuff to the package center. I have a few questions though.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How far in advance should the packages arrive at the package center for us to be able to pick it up on Fri 8/13?</p></li>
<li><p>Do we need to schedule a specific pickup time or can we just walk in anytime during business hours?</p></li>
<li><p>Better/cheaper to ship one or two big boxes or several smaller ones?</p></li>
<li><p>What company (UPS or FedEx) have you found to be cheapest & most reliable?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any other tips you have would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>You may need to call Paty just to find out the time frame as to when you can begin to ship there. In the past when we have sent something to my son, he receives an e-mail and/or text to say that he has a package. Because he moved in with Alabama Action, he and his brother went over to Paty to pick up a few boxes. All he needed was his ID and the staff pulled the boxes for him. </p>

<p>As for shipping items, we had two or three medium-sized boxes. They easily fit in the car or the trunk. I did not want them too heavy or bulky, fearing that someone would get hurt lifting them.</p>

<p>Also, I ship via UPS. Usually, I go to Staples. They have excellent rates and service.</p>

3

<p>i think fedex ground is the cheapest for shipping. but i am not sure.</p>

<p>i am sitting here with a bunch of college stuff wondering what to pack it in! things like rugs and towels and blankets don’t fit in boxes very well.</p>

4

<p>Doing the Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart, ship to store (pick up after flight into Birmingham), JCP shipment to Paty (usually offering free shipment for $XX.00). Hoping to have most essentials covered with minimal suitcases for flights.</p>

5

<p>For me, Fedex is usually cheaper. I live near a UPS “hub” and a FedEx Office (formerly Kinko’s) store is nearby, so I can choose between the two. Each company is very reliable. While Paty will probably be busy on move-in day, you just wait in line with your ID and sign for your packages when they hand them to you. i would suggest having the boxes arrive a couple days beforehand so you can rest assured that they will be there despite any delays.</p>

<p>Just recently, Amazon announced a free year of Amazon Prime for college students (.edu email account required), which is very nice. Additionally, Amazon doesn’t charge sales tax when shipping to Alabama. Combine that with free shipping offers from other stores and you’re set. </p>

<p>As for shipping multiple boxes, if the cost is reasonable, ship multiple lighter boxes so your child will have an easier time carrying stuff to their dorm. Alternatively, pack the items in large shopping bags before placing them in the box so that you child can carry their stuff easier (and look like they just went shopping at the mall).</p>

<p>For small, but heavy items, I suggest using the USPS flat rate Priority Mail boxes. The box is free, the shipping is reasonable (there is an online discount) and they ship quickly. For example, my mom can ship a box at 4PM Monday in WA and I can pick it up at 8:30AM Wednesday in AL.</p>

6

<p>I use FedEx ground very often to ship things to my mom in the nursing home. Although ground is cheaper, you do have to provide your own boxes, which brings me to the above dilemma of how to pack rugs, etc.</p>

<p>If you have a UPS store nearby, I believe they offer the service of packing things for you.</p>

<p>They will, of course, charge for this service.</p>

<p>They also carry a variety of boxes and packing supplies that you might look at to see if you can find something to meet your needs.</p>

<p>Another source for packing supplies is your local Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Office Max, even Wal Mart, and a local storage facility, like UHaul or Public Storage.</p>

<p>You can also go online to create an account for UPS and FedEx and print up your own waybills. For padded envelopes, I just print up a waybill, attach it to the package, and drop it in the FedEx drop box, similar to a mailbox. For packages, I go to the FedEx Kinkos store with my waybill for them to take care of.</p>

<p>I like FedEx Kinkos stores also in that they are open late, whereas the UPS stores around here keep “bankers hours”.</p>

<p>FedEx ground is very speedly, I agree. I will ship packages from New Orleans to Houston, and they often arrive the next day, even though I only had to pay ground rate.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Looks like we might be doing the Paty shipping, too. With three of us in a regular car, going to be hard to fit everything in.</p>

<p>Is there a number I can call to talk to a real live person about how to go about sending and picking up packages from Paty on move in day, Sunday, August 8th? Our move in time is 10 Am. Will we be able to pick up packages after move in, with the cart, and still go back to the dorm to deliver more items?</p>

8

<p>If you’re bringing your own cart, you can take it to Paty and use it to carry packages. Otherwise, the carts will probably need to be used by others moving in. You can pick up packages anytime during business hours. The phone number for the Paty Package Delivery Center is (205) 348-7794. Their website is [Student</a> Affairs | Housing & Residential Communities](<a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/package.cfm]Student”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/package.cfm) .</p>

9

<p>You can park your car in the student lot near the Ferg, bring the packages out, load up and return to the dorm, too. We did this last year. Worked out great. I stayed with the car. My sons got the boxes.</p>

10

<p>for move in where do you park? do you park in lots or mostly just drive up to the curb and unload. after you unload do you park in lots?</p>

<p>my DD will be living in ridgecrest south.</p>

11

<p>Mike: When my son moved into Lakeside a year ago, we drove up to the front door and unloaded. They give you about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, check with the people who are handling the traffic flow outside as to where you should park. We parked at Rose Towers and walked over. The parking lot near the Ferg was nearly empty, so I would not be surprised if you were asked to move your car there.</p>

12

<p>When my son left in 2008, I shipped his bedding in an extra large soft side travel duffle with wheels. I think I sent it via FEDEX ground. I recall it cost cheeper than what the airlines would have charged for an over weight bag.</p>