Are you willing to give up the so called "free boxes, tape, and labels?"
Would you like no cost isurance up to $100?
Would you like free delivery confirmation?
Would you like to stop wasting time at the Post Office?
Would you like free shipping tools on-line?
Would you like your own [?] Shipping Account Manager? One that calls you to see if your needs are being met, and if you are satisfied with the service?
FedEx Home Delivery includes insurance [100], and tracking. As you can see FedEx Home Delivery is competitive even at 1#, zone 8. As weight increases, so do savings; accordingly, it can be substantial.
You will have to purchase your own shipping supplies. I like Uline.com, there are others, perhaps closer to you [shipping cost]. My average box costs between 18 and 50 cents, not counting delivery. I order large quantities to keep the shipping cost per box low. FYI Uline runs specials and you can do better than that upon occasion. There is plenty of room in the FedEx Home Delivery shipping cost to add a handling fee for boxes and supplies. It's tight a 1 # but possible [especially at the closer zones], after that it is easy AND -----> get ready -----> PROFITABLE! I undercut most sellers [they ship USPS PM] enough to get bidders attention, and -----> pocket the rest! YES, shipping revenue is becoming a percentage of my profit. It's like getting a RAISE! Don't hate me "because I'm beautiful[!]," I mean, business oriented!
Shipping is EZ! You affix a pre-paid lable to the box. Yippe! No postage is viewable / scrutinized on the box! Call for pick-up or take to a FedEx drop location. There is a FedEx drop location close to me [not one of those nasty satellites or MBEs!]. I fill up the van, drive to FedEx, back up to the garage door, FedEx person unloads shipment, I'm gone! Takes less than ten minutes, even for a large load!
I've been shipping FedEx Home Delivery approx. 8 months. It has been working very well - I appreciate the time and $ saved. My FedEx account manager calls ME, "are you having any problems? Any questions or concerns? Are you satisfied with the service? We have software to help you with labels and barcodes, interested in that? And..."
I have had no breakage or lost items with FedEx Home Delivery. But I didn't have more than a few with USPS PM either. Everyone needs to be a careful/professional packer.
FedEx Home Delivery is SLOWER than Priority Mail. Close zones will deliver next day, far zones five days [advertised]. And you folks know what "advertised" delivery times mean - expect an occasional delay. FedEx, USPS, or UPS - all the same in that department.
Rember this: most sellers will stick with USPS Priority Mail. They cannot grasp the idea of paying for supplies no matter what. It's SOOOO easy to get the "FREE" USPS supplies! That is actually A GOOD THING! You and I can undercut them & either pocket the profit, or offer super low shipping as an enticement for increased bidding...
ANYHOO ---- Twinsoft
If you have questions I'll be glad to answer. However, this is a one time post! I'm not going to be pushing this, I like me competitive advantage - thank you very much.
MTOWN
ps Becky, I LOVE O-TOWN! The best "boy band" yet!
edited to make the Priority Mail comparision clearer.
posted on July 29, 2001 11:36:39 PM
Nitrate: that is just the attitude I expected from some. Good, so be it, I like the advantage. Perhaps you should ship USPS Next Day delivery ----> anyhoo hehehe
posted on July 29, 2001 11:41:19 PM
I think you need to be a business with your business phone number listed in directory assistance to qualify for an account.
If this is not the case, please let me know as I would be happy to save on shipping costs for my buyers and wear and tear on myself dragging stuff to the PO.
posted on July 29, 2001 11:46:55 PM
JadeJim: FedEx asked me if we were a business. I said that we had a state tax number, they said OK. However, they didn't ask for proof.
posted on July 30, 2001 05:44:23 AM
I had some problems with FEDEX Ground a few months ago when I went to alternate shipping.
They were/are not fully intergerated with UPS Express and not readily avaliable in all areas. I was told I could drop off packages at the express office, to be refused. In general locally, It seemed I was just to much trouble for them.
UPS on the other hand was more than eager for my business. The down side to UPS was they REQUIRED a Laser printer to print labels. (Printer paid for its self in about two months.) The rates for UPS ground are very comperable to the FEDEX Home Delivery rates.
posted on July 30, 2001 06:30:30 AM
I'll seriously consider FedEx when FedEx finds and delivers to me the 50 pound box that's been bouncing around Atlanta since July 17th.
This is the SECOND such shipment problem I've had with FedEx this month.
posted on July 30, 2001 07:15:23 AM
There are a lot of problems using Fedex ground, so its not nearly as hassle free as the original poster indicated. It used to be called RPS, and Fedex took them over last year. The drivers are NOT regular Fedex drivers, but independents who get paid by the amount of packages they deliver...sort of like a cab driver. I have found on numerous occasions that Fedex ground will return a package to me marked "unknown address". In reality that meant the independent driver couldn't be bothered trying to find the address and marked it "unknown address". That sort of thing almost always happens with their Home Delivery service...about 20% of the time.
In addition none of my local Fedex centers will accept ground shipments unless you print up a manifest, so the driver can be paid. Even with a manifest printed up, half of the time the counter help refuses to accept the packages and I have to call for a manager. Without exception its always confusing as the Fedex counter help seem to look at the packages like they are from Mars. I seem to get a different story each time I attempt to drop off packages, even with the manifest. Three times this month I have dropped off Fedex ground packages at Fedex centers, only to find they were still in the Fedex center several days later!! Apparently the mere sight of a Fedex ground label throws them into confusion. To be fair sometimes when I drop off packages there is no problem...but its very much a hit or miss kind of thing.
So if you are willing to take a chance, then maybe Fedex ground will work out for you. Just try not to use the Home Delivery side of the business as if the address is the least bit hard to find, odds are the driver will simply mark it as "unknown address" and return it to you. If you ship to a business, then Fedex ground much better.
posted on July 30, 2001 07:27:56 AM
I've known about FedEx for awhile. They're nearest drop off to me is 60 miles. So if my customers don't mind waiting 'til I make that once a month trip, I switch right over.
I can see my new TOS now: Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery as I live in the middle of freakin' nowhere, and it takes us a month to get the buggy to the nearest city. But my shipping is $1 less than my competitors'!
Just giving you a hard time morgantown. There are times living in Central Nowhere means less access to good deals. This is one.
I think most of we experienced sellers would have checked out FedX by now, which is what I did when they began their "ground" service. I immediately found their service areas were EXTREMELY LIMITED, there were hidden extras, etc.
I don't have the time to check out FedX's site for every shipment to see if FedX just happens to deliver to that area. We have a UPS account for anything over 6 pounds, and use USPS for anything less.
We, ourselves, have had problems with FedX shipment to us at our shop! FedX seems to have a continual problem finding us although, we are at the intersection of 2 Highways!
No thanks, till FedX has the "cover the country" delivery routes of UPS, I don't have time to bother with them.
But, thanks for the info (sincerely), perhaps a newbie, who only ships a few items and has time to continually investigate where FedX delivers will find a savings.
Are you willing to give up the so called "free boxes, tape, and labels?"
yet also posted:
Would you like no cost isurance up to $100?
Would you like free delivery confirmation?
Would you like free shipping tools on-line?
Question: If the boxes, tape and labels provided by the USPS are not really free, why should one believe the insurance, delivery confirmation and online shipping tools provided by Fedex are?
posted on July 30, 2001 07:52:27 AM
Have heard of nothing but problems with fedex ground...With UPS, however, I can get a better price for anything over 3lbs than usps rates and that includes insurance up to $100. Very reliable and cost effective. Just have to be sure to pack items very well.
posted on July 30, 2001 07:54:24 AM
My rates are not "published" rates, they were negotiated. I do not get charged additional fees either, so I'm not sure what type of account that applies to?
One can find problems with any of the delivery services. But as of yet, I've had none with FedEx, especially with the FedEx center. If I had the kind of problems with FedEx center as mentioned here, it would certainly be reported to my account representative!
And, as mentioned by another poster FedEx Home Delivery is a relatively new service. If there are problems, I'm sure they are working to iron them out.
MTown
ps. I forgot, there was an additional charge on my recent bill. A fuel surcharge of $2.47
I'd be glad to give up the "free" FedEx insurance and tracking when another concern comes along and undercuts FedEx to the point FedEx has undercut USPS Priority Mail or Parcel Post for that matter.
posted on July 30, 2001 08:11:29 AM
I have been using fed ex and have numerious problems with misdirected mail, broken items( crush beat up boxes ect.) I have now quit using them as the insurance is a scam, require way to much red tape and rarely pays off. They also request invoices for damaged goods, hard to get that from a estate sale or garage sale!!!
The rates arent so good any more as they have upgraded the system and now charge surcharges to for home delivery and rural deliveries and also a fuel surcharge. The cost rivials USPS or beyond, the rates your quoted on the web site are NOT accurate.
The first couple of months of service were fine and BAM they sarted charging all the extra fees and it just isnt cost effective anymore
