posted on March 2, 2001 02:26:44 PM
I've recently sold a few things that fall into the "oversize package" category and have been shipping them UPS. (No Fed-Ex ground available to me). Anyway, I check the online calculator to get the shipping cost for my customer. When I take it to my local UPS drop point (a rural drug store) they are required to call oversize package shipments in to UPS with the package dimensions and weights and are given an amount by a CSR. Usually the amounts have been exactly what was quoted on the online calculator. For some reason, though, recently the telephone quotes have varied wildly from the online quote--never to MY advantage.
I've been taking these misquoted oversized packages all the way to a real UPS customer counter--fortunately I'm able to combine that with other errands--and the clerk there always comes up instantly with a figure to match the online calculator price.
It doesn't do any good to take the online calculator quote to the poor drugstore lady because she is required to charge me the amount the UPS CSR tells her over the phone to charge.
I'm just venting because it happened again today. A $11.80 difference! NO way I'm going to eat that, so my customer is going to have to wait for shipment since it was too late to go to the real UPS place. Aaaarrrgghhh!!!!!
posted on March 2, 2001 02:36:36 PM
Why don't you call them for a one time pick up? It is not that expensive, and you give them the weight and dimensions of the package over the phone. Then they come pick it up the next day. Your quote is your quote, and it does not change (unless of course, you are DRASTICALLY off with the weight or dimensions).
Secondly, it IS possible that the charges are different because of the rural location.
I ship oversize packages all the time(17lbs.
charged for 30lbs.)
UPS is around $7.00 to $10.00 higher than Fed Ex Ground. With Fed Ex you cannot ship
to a home address (only business) unless you have an account.
I tried to apply for a account and even tho
I have a business(home) and a Tax ID number, Credit
Card, and a DBA in the state of Texas for
my company they would no issue me an account
because I did not have a business phone
listed in my local directory.
I shipped around 100 of these large boxes with them over time(Paid at the Fed Ex Drop Off) and then I was told I would have to have an account before they would accept any more shipments.
Now I inform my winning bidders that if they have someone with a business that I can ship their item to it will save a great amount of
money over UPS.
It's not fair but the big boy's have a foot on your neck.
posted on March 2, 2001 04:28:49 PM
"With Fed Ex you cannot ship
to a home address (only business) unless you have an account."
This is incorrect. You cannot use Fedex Home (a specialized service of Fedex Ground) without an account, but Fedex Ground also delivers to residential addresses, though the residential surcharge is a little higher than Fedex Home. You can ship Fedex Ground to a residential address without an account.
posted on March 2, 2001 09:50:34 PM
Auctionee & Katykatman,
I spoke with a customer service rep. for FedEx 2 days ago & they informed me that FedEx Ground will ship even if home service id not available with the sur charge as one of you stated. FedEx Ground is so new that FedEx employees don't even understand. Here's my story: My FedEx drop-off location told me aboout 2 months ago that FedEx Ground will only ship to businesses & can't ship residental. This after I had shipped about 10 packages to residents over a 2 months period & was trying to send another.
The CSR I spoke to via the Cust.Serv. 800 number 2 days ago, told me that they do ship via Ground service to residences even if home delivery is not offered (w/ sur charge). I informed them that the drop-off location told me that they didn't delivery to residences. Looks like FedEx can't even explain (or know) their own system. But they are much cheaper than UPS.
posted on March 3, 2001 06:51:36 AM
"3 Day Delivery" is an air service, not ground, which is why it is so expensive. The residential surcharge for Fedex Ground to urban areas is $1.30, or $2.80 to rural areas compared to $1.05 for Fedex Home...but this is the only difference in the rates for between Fedex Ground and Fedex Home (unless you use those very expensive options available with Fedex Home). pj79 is right about the fact that Fedex employees still do not understand Fedex Ground. In fact, I opened an account with them a couple of months ago just so I didn't have to deal with the employees.
posted on March 3, 2001 08:08:08 AM
". For some reason, though, recently the telephone quotes have varied wildly from the online quote--never to MY advantage"
Could it be that the drug store clerk hears one price on the phone and adds a few bucks for his pocket?....
posted on March 4, 2001 12:12:20 AM
I read in tonight's paper that UPS bought Mail Boxes Etc. They want to capture a bigger share of the growing business in home and small-office shipments. I didn't realize they had 4,300 stores. I also didn't know they had 900 stores in 29 countries outside the U.S. I thought they were only in the U.S.
Wonder whats going to happen with eBays deal with Mail Boxes now?
