Since we couldn't get a representative to a pickup site, we're having our KOP shipped to my work site. Back in December, our team contacts received an email from FIRST--here's a portion:
Greetings Teams:
Your team has selected to have your Kickoff Kit delivered via individual kit shipment (MySite) to your location rather than collecting the Kickoff Kit at one of the available Local Kickoff Locations. This year, each team’s MySite shipment is being sent on its own small pallet via ground freight where possible and via airfreight where needed. On behalf of the teams, to reduce freight cost, we have negotiated very special rates with FedEx to help you receive your Kickoff Kit as cost effectively as possible. Continental USA and Canada MySite teams will be charged $200 and other teams requiring airfreight (because of the large water between us) will be charged $600. We quoted multiple freight companies and shipping methods and this is the best way. The appropriate amount has been posted to your TIMS account and needs to be paid to FIRST by December 21st to avoid shipment delay of your Kickoff Kit.
My question is if the non-rookie KOP is only one tote and two boxes, why did it need to be shipped strapped to a pallet, and why does a 48-lb. shipment run $200? "Best way"? I might see a need for the pallet for overseas shipment, but not within the Continental US. Shipping three boxes, each with its own shipping label, would have been a lot cheaper...very disappointing.