I want to know if there are any UPS shippers out there.
I usually ship about 35 - 40 items per week weighing less than a pound. My cost per package at the post office is $3.90. Meaning I spend a little over $600 per month with the post office.
Is there a discount for shipping via UPS? I also hear that you can set up an account and pay weekly.
I want to know, would it be better shipping with UPS or U.S.P.S. Priority mail.
posted on February 12, 2001 08:18:04 PM new
When UPS sees my name on a box, they drop kick it out the back door, run field goals with it, eat lunch on it, use it for a stool, and in short, they dont like me much. Maybe its because hubby sued them twice and won? (I mean, c'mon...how DID they BREAK the cast iron stove??? And, they made a mistake of THROWING the pc off the truck, right in front of the bidder who won it. DUH!).
posted on February 12, 2001 08:24:27 PM new
I have a UPS account, but often still send items weighing less than a pound via the postal service. If you are sending mostly to residential addresses, it will STILL cost you $4.00-$5.00 or more to ship, depending on if it is rural residential.
I just mailed a package today via USPS from TN to CA weighing a pound. Since it was rural residential, it was over $7.00 to ship via UPS, and that is with my discount!!
Unless you frequently ship items weighing more than 5 pounds, forget UPS, it won't be cost effective.
posted on February 12, 2001 08:32:07 PM new
UPS, I have never liked to much. The handling is poor to say the least, theres way to much damage. I have used Fedex ground with good success. Haven't had any damage using them. I am thinking of using them more often now, the PO has just practically priced itself outta business for items over 2lbs, fedex is more reasonalble
posted on February 12, 2001 08:40:18 PM new
About two years ago, MrJulesy and I came home to find two large boxes at our door. Totally unprotected, no note. These boxes consisted of someone's very, very expensive new-from-the-manufacturer sound system, delivered by none other than UPS. We found the intended recipient via the address labels, and the guy had to come get his packages. Since then, I won't ship UPS, and when buying something via catalogue or online, I always request any service but UPS. If the outfit only uses UPS, I don't buy.
posted on February 12, 2001 09:05:39 PM new
<<I usually ship about 35 - 40 items per week weighing less than a pound. My cost per package at the post office is $3.90. >>
I seldom send less than a pound..but if I did, wouldn't the Priority cost be just $3.50, and not $3.90?
posted on February 12, 2001 09:20:45 PM new
I use both UPS & USPS, I usually give the buyer a choice. UPS, price wise, you can't beat especially if you're looking for items weighing 4 lbs. or more. Most of the items I carry are fragile and heavy.
Although my experience with the USPS, I have met the nicest postal workers ... we see each other almost everyday and have developed a nice warm business contact. On the other hand, I was taken back when the UPS handler asked me if my item was protected with 2" of foam surrounding my fragile piece. When I hestitated, she asked to inspect my carefully wrapped package. I was horrified to find she started to move things and inspect and give me a lecture about how she took a packing course, then repackaged it ... almost unrecognizable inpregnanted box. She said, if your box can withhold falling off a 2 feet conveyor belt, then it can be safely insured. What do they do with packages? Play soccer? I have to use them, but by far .... I PREFER USPS.
Also, I think the $.40 difference that Taz refers to is delivery confirmation.
avmom
(not avmom on eBay)
ack! I can't type
[ edited by avmom on Feb 12, 2001 09:37 PM ]
posted on February 12, 2001 09:26:43 PM new
I ordered a ham from Harringtons (suggested by HCQ & she was right, it was delicious) I was supposed to receive it on a Friday, it never showed so I called Harringtons on Saturday. They called me back after checking with UPS & was told it was delivered Friday & accepted by a young boy (no young boy here)
It showed up Monday. Obviously the family of the young boy called UPS about their mistake, they picked it up & delivered it here & left it at the bottom of the driveway which is so long & winding we can't see it from the front door. A really dumb place to leave a package. It was perishable & I had no idea where it was sitting all weekend or how long it was sitting at the bottom of my driveway. Pretty careless (twice) of UPS in my opinion. My mailbox is clearly marked. BTW Harringtons sent me another ham & this one was brought to the door. I don't think too much of UPS.
posted on February 12, 2001 11:43:21 PM new
UPS has gotten so large that they have lost control of what good service is all about. The results are mishandled and lost packages, in addition to dropping packages wherever they feel like. Speed is the name of the game so don't waste one second attempting to contact the delivery recepient.
posted on February 13, 2001 01:36:09 AM new
I have not used UPS for sending, but they have been reliable most of the time for me. Since they do not let you release signature on file, it can be difficult for buyers to pick up their package if signature is required.
When I purchase items in bulk, the sellers will want a signature. So, I have to play this game with them. Attempt delivery once, then ask to have it left at the center for pick up.
One time, they didn't leave it at the center for the required 5 days, but went ahead and returned it to the sender. It wasn't even COD.
posted on February 13, 2001 06:22:16 AM new
I was hesitant to switch to UPS, but 6 months ago I made the switch. I ship 100-150 packages a week. I have a flat rate shipping charge on item 6lbs and under of $6 and so far I have received no complaints. If the item is under 1lb I do offer standard shipping through the USPS.
What I love about UPS is that they come to my house and that all my shipments are nicely organized. I pack while my toddler naps and set everything on the kitchen table. Around 3:30 my UPS guy (who is very nice and friendly) comes and picks up the packages, I don't even need to be there. He is very careful with my packages, needless to say he got a very nice tip at Christmas. This service costs me $7 a week, I would have paid someone more than $7 to carry all those boxes to the PO for me. It's $10 if you ship under $50 worth.
If someone asks about a shipment I can open my UPS software and do a search for their name. Within 1 minute I can give them their tracking number, date shipped and scheduled date of arrival.
So far I have had no lost packages. I did ship one to the wrong address and was able to call UPS and have them re-route it. I have had 2 insurance claims, both were for damaged boxes on a collectible (the toy itself was not damaged) and they were both paid within 2 weeks. They even reimbursed the shipping charge. I filed a claim with USPS Feb 14 of last year and it was finally paid on Jan 25 of this year, my other USPS claims have all taken 6 months.
I still use the USPS for PO Boxes, Alaska, Hawaii and international orders... but I am hooked on the convenience of UPS and dread carrying all these boxes to the Post Office.
That's my two cents...
DeLaina
[ edited by toymom on Feb 13, 2001 06:23 AM ]
posted on February 13, 2001 06:28:27 AM new
I'm not sure about shipping via UPS, or even how they "handle" stuff. but you do not want to be the receiver of an item shipped by UPS if you live in Canada. They charge a HUGE graft fee under the guise of "custom brokerage fees"
posted on February 13, 2001 06:56:40 AM new
I use USPS, and my opinion of the post office has rising dramatically since ebay. In the thousand or so packages sent, 100% of them have gotten there, with one case of in transit damage. The very few times I've used UPS, the cost is always more than the web site says it will be, It always takes much longer than it's supposed to, and the packages always look like they've been through a war. I'm to the point where even if the buyer asks for ups, I won't do it.
posted on February 13, 2001 07:09:23 AM new
I happen to love UPS.I've been shipping with them for almost 3yrs.since I started selling on Ebay.I first started with USPS and had a couple things broken right away.Since we live 15 miles from the P.O. I decided to go with UPS as they come directly to my home Monday thru Fri. and picked up.They also furnish me with a thermal printer for labels and all my shipping is done on my computer.I pay a weekly bill and they've always been really nice,nicer than the postal people around here.I also feel comfortable enough with my UPS man not to be home when he picks up.Also in the 1000's of items I've shipped I've only had two things broken and one thing lost which they traced and found.When this weather got so bad earlier this winter and the regular truck couldn't get through our roads one of the supervisors got through with his pickup and came and got my packages.
posted on February 13, 2001 08:53:38 AM new
People complain about UPS but I have delivered boxes marked FRAGILE to the Post Office, and have them throw it into a bin 2 - 3 feet away from their station.
When I asked if they had not noticed the FRAGILE sticker - they told me that was how all packages were handled. - SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UPS AND USPS IN THAT REGARD? NONE.
With UPS Internet Shipping - I can hand my packages to any UPS Driver, or drop off location.
With USPS - I have to lug my packages to the PO, stand a half and hour to an hour in line - and still pay more (or within $0.50) than UPS.
When you make a claim for a lost package - UPS can accomodate within 2 weeks - USPS makes you wait for 30 days to file a claim and then the reimbursement takes 6 months!!
I'd rather hear about comparing UPS to Fedex Ground - a better match up!
posted on February 13, 2001 10:16:02 AM new
Be very, very careful when using UPS. They do not or rarely pay insurance claims (they have been sued and lost over this). We had a piece of stereo equipment sold via ebay sent UPS, it was cheaper to WA. It arrived with no physical damage, but many of the components did not work, which worked before. We refunded the money and the customer shipped it back-this was 11/13/00. We called UPS, it was insured both ways, and asked if we had a claim, they said, yes. They picked up the item, after a month it was returned TO THE CUSTOMER!!! that had returned it to us. He contacted us and asked why we had sent it back to him. We called UPS, explained everything no less than 12 times, were always promised a return call because another department handles claims. No one EVER called back. They even refused to send the package back to us, something about it was a subcontractor that handles Washington state. We finally send the customer the coast of shipping and he was kind enought to return the package. Oh, by the way, our insurance claim was denied, they said due to insufficient packaging. The piece was sent in the original box that is usually all the manufacturer ships in, plus another box and padding. No UPS for me. I am not sure whether we will follow this claim through. We got the package back 2 days ago. This all started in November!!
posted on February 13, 2001 10:20:45 AM newOh, by the way, our insurance claim was denied, they said due to insufficient packaging
Thats the song and dance they gave us. But the judge saw differently. They lost. And still, they didnt pay up. So we had to go to court again, and the same judge was there, and lemmee tell ya, he was NOT amused to know they STILL hadnt paid us. Even the judge asked "how the HELL did you BREAK a cast iron stove?"
posted on February 13, 2001 12:42:27 PM new
Count my vote for the USPS.
Granted, if your selling large heavy items from your home, UPS has it in terms of pickup service and probably price.
I use Iship.com to compare the rates for the carriers and usually USPS standard is about the same as UPS ground. Overall, I've liked what changes the post office has instituted (Delivery confirmation, signature confirmation, etc) and the lines at the local office seem to be faster..
posted on February 13, 2001 06:32:23 PM new
As a buyer, the only time I'll use UPS is if it's a big heavy item. If it's something under five lbs and the buyer only uses UPS - I won't bid.
It's nothing against UPS - the few things I've gotten arrived fine - but I'm not home during the day. So - if something comes - I have to call them and have them hold the package. Then I have to drive 20 minutes there and back during my lunch hour to pick it up. A couple of times the package wasn't there - oops, they forgot to hold it. It's a major pain.
posted on February 13, 2001 11:41:08 PM new
LOL... Why not to ship with UPS...!
I was a receiving clerk inspector for many years at local company in the area where I live. I received as many 100+ packages a day with UPS. Everyday we at at least 1 package come in that was busted open, had missing items, or damaged items.
They do not take care of things... if it is breakable, don't send it UPS.
Now I loved my work UPS driver and most of the damage happens during sorting at the depot.
On other had not all sellers will buy from you if all you offer is UPS shipping. I never buy from a seller that ships only through UPS.
Why... because my UPS home driver in my area (where I live) has hit my house TWICE with his truck and has caused major damage. I live in the country and the driver has to travel 4 miles one way, out of his way just to bring me a package. He come speeding down my gravel driveway because his trip to my house has cost him delivery time. He hits the breaks and boom he slides on the gravel and into my house. UPS has paid for the damage and repairs, but getting their insurance adjuster down here to the boonies is nearly impossible.
posted on February 14, 2001 04:58:03 AM new
When I ship USPS the person I sent the stuff to gets it. That isn't always the case with UPS. They leave things in what they consider a "safe place", some houses don't have a "safe place". Requiring a signature doesn't work since they have what they call a driver sign off. Still trying to collect the insurance from the last driver sign off left in a safe place.
posted on February 14, 2001 09:06:19 AM new
I much prefer USPS. UPS is generally reliable, but they are not so great to deal with...I like Fed Ex much better as a private carrier.
posted on February 14, 2001 11:45:50 AM new
Something that you may want to consider is the price of heavier packages being shipped to different zones. Here's a chart that compares a 12"x12"x8" package that is being shipped to all 8 zones domestically.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/Yellow_Pages/postratesnew/postratesnew.html
The comparison is between Priority Mail and UPS Ground - probably two of the most common ways that we sellers ship - No insurance, your own packaging, and dropped off at a customer counter. You'll see where the UPS price savings start to come into effect - above 5-6 lbs.
The interesting thing is that even though UPS increased fees earlier this month, the price of packages being shipped to Zone 3 actually dropped.
posted on February 14, 2001 08:53:46 PM new
just made the big jump to using UPS recently & LOVE IT!!!
Love the UPS internet shipping---very convenient plus if you print your labels & ship through the internet, you save a lot more!
I LOOVE it..
but dont use UPS for international mailing--VERY VERY expensive..
I also will still use USPS for books/medis stuff due to the cheap media rate...
I just print my stamps through stamps.com.
So far i am happy with UPS...No more lugging around huge boxes to the USPS carrying my 3 kids with me & enduring weird looks from people & hearing comments like."you must sell on ebay" with a disgusting look on their face because they happen to be behind you.
I guess comparison shopping through smartship.com or iship.cpm, having a postal scale will really help making a decision beween UPS vs. USPS.
Now I am wondering if FEDEX is better..May have to start another discussion re: UPS vs. FEDex someday..
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