Shipping small packages/bubbled envelopes within region/national

[Tuty]

What is the cheapest way to ship small packages (boxes) and bubbled envelopes within Canada?

Shipping local is about $7-8 for a package that is 6x4x1 weighing 1lb, and a lot more to ship to a out of province city on the Canada Post website and eshipper. What kind of volume would I need to get discounts on small package shipping, and how much discount to various tiers offer?

[PianoGuy]

Exactly 1" thick? If it were 2cm or less (0.79") and under 500g you could send it by Lettermail which is relatively cheap. Depending on what you're shipping, you might be able to switch away from bubble envelopes to rigid mailers (http://www.uline.ca/Grp_33/Rigid-Mailers) and save some thickness. Be aware though that rigid mailers are often heavier than their bubble envelope counterparts, so be sure you'll be under the 500g Lettermail limit before you buy a case of 1000.

We split some of our shipments in half and send them in two envelopes. It's cheaper to send two halves of the customer's order by Lettermail than by Expedited Parcel.

As far as shipping boxes, I haven't found anything cheaper than e-Shipper or easier to use than Canada Post, for low volume. If you use Canada Post, sign up for Venture One if you haven't already and you'll get 8% off if you prepare your shipments online. If you ship 750 or more parcels per year you qualify for the next rate tier. I don't know what discount you get there - they won't talk to me since I don't yet ship 750 parcels per year :P (If anyone knows, I'd be interested to know.)