UPS offers another class of shipping for packages called Ground
Service.  It is usually cheaper than their regular service especially
for large and/or heavy packages.  The package may take a few more days
to arrive, but if cost is more important to you than timeliness, it is
worth investigating.  I mention this because UPS may only quote you
their regular, i.e., higher, rate unless you specify that you want a
less expensive rate and that quickest delivery is not essential.

Federal Express recently implemented ground service too.  They
purchased RPS delivery which handles this division.  (Original FedEx
has a navy-blue and orange logo, ground service has a navy-blue and
green logo).  The acquisition and assimilation of RPS was without much
fanfare.  Also without fanfare was the information that the new FedEx
ground service is often cheaper than UPS ground service.

Whichever shipper you use, be sure to inquire about their ground
service too.  Unfortunately, ground service is only available in the
U.S.  No cheap international shipping rates (yet).

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/