posted on April 8, 2001 01:23:12 PM new
I appreciated the post on FedEx being cheaper, I couldn't believe it but filed it away for future notice. Now I've got a package to ship to CA and sure enough, it beats hands down USPS and UPS. I ordered some of their packing supplies but when searching the website it says "FedEx packaging not for Home/Ground deliveries." Is this true or a misprint? And I'm getting the box ready to go out Monday (my own box) and does anybody know if they're like the PO where it can't have any writing on the outside?? Thank you!
posted on April 8, 2001 01:35:37 PM new
I ship Fed Ex all the time, and it doesn't matter what kind of box it is as long as it's steardy enough to hold the item. Wish they provided boxes like they do for express and three day, but then I suppose the cost would go up.
Just make sure that if the box you are using has bar codes on it that you scratch them out, other than that, I have never had them turn away a box due to it not being plain. Last week I bought a new deep fryer and used that box to ship an item a few days later, it had a big picture on two sides of it of the fryer and they never said a word.
posted on April 8, 2001 01:47:51 PM new
Glassgrl, I think that may have been my thread that you were referring to--I was quite surprised at the reasonable price myself!
It's true that they don't provide boxes for Ground service, and I should have noted that in my post. I don't know what restrictions they might have, but I wouldn't use a liquor box or something that indicates chemicals or cleaning fluids.
posted on April 8, 2001 04:28:58 PM new
You're not permitted to use FedEx express boxes to ship via FedEx Ground. BTW, I have to express my appreciation to all who have noted the cheaper FedEx prices. I recently tried them on a 14 pound box to go 3 zones from here. FedEx Ground was 2 bucks cheaper than UPS ground and 3 bucks cheaper than USPS Parcel Post! And since I had to pay the freight on this particular box, I was especially grateful for the new knowledge!
posted on April 8, 2001 05:24:12 PM new
I checked but their delivery areas are so limited that it is better for us to pay more via our UPS account, and easier, UPS picks up, I'd have to drive miles to find FedEx and then they charge more for home delivery.
posted on April 8, 2001 09:50:10 PM new
I have more than 10 FedEx locations within 20 min of my home, but NONE deliver ground. The closest one that does is over 2 hours away.
Word is getting out about FedEx being lower though, I actually had a winning bidder request it just recently.
posted on April 8, 2001 11:59:56 PM new
Arrghh one more post like this & I am seriously going to have to look into Fedex, Only problem is the only FEDEX location here in Fargo, has a 1 person counter w/ a lobby as big as my bathroom. I used them about a year ago for an overnite package at the request of a customer.
However I just can't see myself lugging in my 40 boxes to ship out twice a week. That and I have such a good relationship at both of the local post offices, everyone knows me. They joke about who is going to have to help me. Sigh... One Day...
All that & a Bag of Chips Too!!
posted on April 9, 2001 12:15:11 AM new
Why do you need to lug boxes anywhere? I leave them on my backporch and they come pick them up, go to the Fedex website and apply for a Ground account, make sure it is not the Express, or the get 1-800 off there and call and ask for one. Not hard to get at all.
posted on April 9, 2001 04:38:01 AM new
I'm a FedEx Ground convert. It is cheaper. The counter people are "pleasant" (what a novel concept). Insurance up to 100.00 included. My buyers love it. They also seem to take better care of the packages.
posted on April 9, 2001 12:45:32 PM new
I'm sure you all have seen the many posts about USPS Delivery Confirmation troubles, and I'll bet that FedEx Ground tracking is a heckuva lot more accurate! Besides, it doesn't cost an additional fee, and neither does the first $100 of insurance! That's something to think about if you're concerned about chargebacks on PayPal or Billpoint.
Here's another bonus--since the postage amount doesn't show on the box, the customer can't complain about price gouging. In your TOS, you could offer shipping at $x.xx, with Priority Mail being $x.xx. I'll bet most people would take the lower shipping price, but you could actually build in a higher profit margin with FedEx Ground--and if you have an account with home pickup (if that's available in your area), NO MORE STANDING IN LINE AT THE P.O.!!!!
Seems like a win-win situation to me--the bidder gets cheaper shipping, you get more profit, and you don't waste your time, gas, frustration, etc., at the Post Office!! If I were a more active seller, I'd sure get an account. As it is, a FedEx station is close by, and I usually have errands in that direction anyway.
posted on April 9, 2001 01:00:43 PM new
I checked fedex ground rates for a 2 pound package for 2 zones away= $5.17. How is that cheaper than USPS $3.95? And that was quoted using my own box. USPS box is free.
posted on April 9, 2001 01:43:24 PM newI checked fedex ground rates for a 2 pound package for 2 zones away= $5.17. How is that cheaper than USPS $3.95? And that was quoted using my own box. USPS box is free.
That sounds a bit high for a 2 pound package, though in some cases, packages under 2 pounds are less expensive via USPS. But once you go over 2 pounds, you are definately saving money with FedEx. Also, using the rates you quoted, if you add $50 insurance @ $1.10 (Fedex includes $100 at no extra charge) and Delivery Confirmation @ .40 (tracking is also included with FedEx) to the $3.95 for priority mail, you are now at $5.45....so I guess you paid .28 for the priority mail box. I understand not everyone needs or uses the extra services, but if you compare apples to apples....
Also, FedEx Home guarantees ON TIME DELIVERY or the shipping charge is refunded....how does that compare to USPS?
posted on April 9, 2001 03:13:25 PM new
Quickdraw, it has always been the case that on light packages, the USPS is cheaper than UPS and FedEx. As soon as the package starts to get a bit heavy (say 5 pounds or so and in some cases even less), UPS and FedEx get cheaper. My package was 14 pounds, so the difference was significant.
There seems to be a little confusion here about FedEx Ground and FedEx Home. They are 2 different services. I have no idea why FedEx has chosen to market them that way, but they have. In my case, I was shipping to another business, so Ground was the way to go. If it had been shipped to a residence, I would have had to use FedEx Home Delivery. And another problem, at the moment, is that not all FedEx offices are set up to accept Ground and/or Home packages. I hope they fix that soon! But if you go to www.fedex.com, you can get a list of FedEx package accepting centers near you, along with their hours of operation, and what kinds of packages they accept. BTW, another nice thing about FedEx near me is that they are open from 8:00 to 5:00 to accept Ground packages. UPS, in its infinite wisdom, is only open 1:00 to 5:00 at my nearest location. It was always a pain for me to plan my day around UPS, because I normally ship in the morning. I guess I'll have to wait and see if the FedEx service is as efficient as I'm hoping it will be. The transit time was the same as for UPS, so that's one good thing in its favor.
posted on April 9, 2001 04:16:13 PM new
I don't believe that FedEx delivers everywhere. My sister, who lives about 15 miles away from our capital city receives packages that were shipped via FedEx at her post office. I know this sounds odd, but she said it's true.
I see FedEx trucks on a regular basis in our area, though--25 miles away from a town of any size. Unfortunately, if I wanted to ship via FedEx I'd have to drive at least 25 miles to get there. *Sob!*
Maybe, though, if they gain increased usage they'll eventually branch out with more offices. From the sounds of it that could be a nice option.
posted on April 9, 2001 06:38:29 PM new
After using Fed Ex for several months
I was informed that I would have to
get an account in order to continue to ship to home addresses. Business address was okay but no home delivery unless you had an account.
I tried applying for a account and was informed that I did not qualify because
I did not have a Fax machine and have
a business phone listed in my city.
I have a registered business, a tax ID number
and I work out of my home.
Makes you wonder what they want in the way of new customers.
posted on April 9, 2001 06:59:01 PM new
Keep in mind that FedEx delivery includes insurance and tracking. With that factored in, FedEx becomes cheaper than Priority Mail+- at the three pound rate. The greater the weight, the greater the $avings.
On average, my boxes cost 45 cents [including delivery]. I can add a $1 handling fee to the box cost, ship FedEx Home Delivery, and beat sellers using Priority Mail...
edited to add "insurance up to $100 value at no additional cost."
posted on April 9, 2001 07:19:46 PM new
[i]"I was informed that I would have to
get an account in order to continue to ship to home addresses. Business address was okay but no home delivery unless you had an account."
This is not quite accurate. You have to have an account to use the Fedex Home service, but you can still ship Fedex Ground without an account. Fedex Ground delivers to both business and residential addresses. The only difference is the residential surcharge is higher (an extra .25 for urban addresses or an extra $1.75 for rural addresses) with Fedex Ground and you have no "on time delivery" guarantee using the ground service for a residential address. I agree that they should reconsider their position on not allowing home based businesses to open accounts.
posted on April 9, 2001 11:05:55 PM new
I had an awful experience with FedEx Ground a couple of months ago! Was advised by a bidder to check into FedEx Ground -- it was for a 3-package auction item totalling 130 pounds.
After spending 1/2-hour on-line checking their specs, etc., and calling their 800 number for info, was told where to take the package for drop off. Although the drop-off station is a 40-minute drive from my home, I had already quoted the FedEx price to my winner, so off I went. Turned out that particular station had been ordered NOT to take anything that was going to a residential address!!!
My humble advise -- be sure to ask about residential delivery before you toodle out to their office. The residential stuff, which is part of FedEx taking over RPS, is not working smoothly yet, and the person you talk to on the 800 phone may not know what they're talking about!
PS: I have a $25 FedEx gift certificate for sale if anyone wants one
(fixed UBB I hope)
[ edited by Islander on Apr 9, 2001 11:07 PM ]
posted on April 9, 2001 11:33:23 PM new
Just heard on the radio today that USPS is considering privatizing or laying off workers as part of the cost cutting plan. I am definitely looking into FedEx Ground for business and metropolitan areas.
You know with the future USPS cuts, lines will get longer at the post office. I wait an average of 45 minutes now. I bet it will double in a year.
posted on April 10, 2001 05:49:52 AM new
Recently paid $15.00 Priority Mail to send 2 packages and dropped them off at the main post office. They arrived one week later. Fedex ground would have been half that price and arrived about the same time. No wonder the USPS is losing money.
posted on April 10, 2001 01:11:20 PM new
The last package I shipped Fed Ex, the counter person informed me that they were told that residential packages were supposed to only be sent by home delivery, which is not available in all areas yet. I told her I would check it out, but I don't qualify.
So I went in and spoke with her again and informed her of what I found out, she's really great, she told me not to worry about it, those Fed Ex ground forms have the box to check for residential, and I long as I check the box and pay the $1.25 residential fee, she'll keep shipping them ground until she is told she can't or until the allow me to get a Home delivery account set up.
I really like Fed Ex, the depot is about the same distance for me as it is to the PO and the rates are alot cheaper for anything over 4 pounds, even though it costs $1.25 more ship residential.
And I haven't had any complaints from my customers about them either.
posted on April 10, 2001 01:45:47 PM new
I hate to toss a wet blanket on this discussion, but have any of you Fed-ex users asked about insuring Antiques & Collectibles?
I live in Canada was told by both a senior UPS rep, and a senior Fed-Ex rep that Antiques & Collectibles are no longer covered by insurance. I know many UPS users in the USA that were told the same thing.
This was last year.
Both companies refused to insure a $2,000 item I wanted to ship.
Both companies told me that if the item was lost, or damaged, the ONLY thing that would be refunded would be the cost of the shipping fee.
posted on April 10, 2001 02:04:05 PM new
What finally pushed me over to FedEcx was the local UPS started enforcing the rule they had to leave your packages open so they can inspect the packing. Well I double and triple box things. No way I can close that all up at the counter. AND they want to close it with one strip of tap slapped on. Forghet it.
posted on April 10, 2001 02:20:05 PM new
I tried them when they first stated ground and I found big differnces from prices on there webdsite to what I was actually charged. Twice it cost me more than two dollars more to ship then the price I got on their website. Of course I quoted the website price to the customer and got stuck with the diffrence.
I also was irratated that they would not aloow me to use my standard fedex account that I have had for years but wanted me to set up a new account.. and I never could get paperwork ont that
Maybee they got there act together ...!!!
posted on April 11, 2001 10:09:17 AM new
Wow, it sure is a big difference. I'm shipping off a big package today and compared rates. USPS=$22; UPS=$15.69; Fedex Home=$11.38. I'm glad I came across this thread otherwise I would have shipped Priorty.
posted on April 11, 2001 10:25:23 AM new
It is not always cheaper. I had a buyer want a package sent fedex. I checked on it. I had to get an account. o.k. no problem. they only pick up from businesses - a problem, since the closest fed ex place is over 50 miles away, and then there was a $3.00 'charge' for each package. Something not quite talked about until you go to send it. They also have some weird rules about the waybill, but I can't remember. BTW it ended up that it was cheaper to send parcel post.
posted on April 11, 2001 10:32:49 AM new
What you have there is obstruction.
The local manager does not want to be bothered with ground service so he thinks up all these goofy things to stop you. Make the company aware that is happening and they will straighten him out. I never run into these complaints I see here anbout opening an account or from busoiness only or to non-resisdential only.
My service center takes the packages with no arguements and does a great job. They are even friendly acknowledge they remember you being there a few days ago. "Oh hello again - How ya doing?" Not Drop Dead Jerk like the post office.
