posted on August 1, 2001 11:56:05 AM new
$.05 to $.55 more per package for residential delivery based on zip code. (.05 for towns, .55 for "rural".) Standard shipping rates are the same. The weekly pick-up service is $7 max with Fed-Ex, UPS is $15 max. (Both based on the same min. volume.)
The trouble with UPS was:
UPS has LOST too many packages. As a rusult they marked us "high risk" which is about to kick our rates up. We should NOT be high risk because they LOST the packages.
They disputed every damage claim we made even though we had very few. (Maybe 4 in 3 years.)
4 days in a row UPS will come at 6 pm and the next day come at 8am. If I ask the driver to please come back later on those 8 am days because I didn't expect him at that time, he is not very pleasant. Perhaps even rude. UPS will not work with us on a time frame period. Fed-Ex will always pick up in the afternoon.
We have not been able to get our UPS "designated sales rep" to return a message in over a year...since the day he signed us up.
Fed-Ex has a new "Residential Delivery Service" geared especially toward internet merchants and separate from the standard business service. It uses mini-vans and delivers Tues-Saturday rather than business service with the big truck Mon-Fri.
I am looking forward to finding out how it goes.
T
[ edited by jt on Aug 1, 2001 11:57 AM ]
I started a thread a couple of days ago titled "Sellers want lower shipping costs?" It was about my FedEx Home Delivery account. I have used the service for approx. 8 months without problems; however, my thread was filled with negativity from others regarding FedEx. You may want to go back and read it. Anyhoo, here is what I had to say:
The answer is FedEx Home Delivery!
Here are my "discounted" rates, from lowest to highest[zone based 2 - 8]:
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
Note the comparison between FedEx and Priority Mail above. The greater the weight, the greater the savings...
posted on August 1, 2001 09:04:00 PM new
Not yet Linda. Didn't know it was there.
Mtown, We are getting the home pick-up. It is $7 a week for daily pick-up OR LESS. If your volume goes up, your weekly fee goes down or away. UPS was the same but they had gone up to $15 a week.
I don't plan to stop using USPS for all media and some other items such as some international. We ship lots of HEAVY stuff, 15-80 lbs. and the UPS terminal is 25 miles. We stopped taking it in several years ago. I am not going to have to call for pick up, everyday I just leave it on my back deck.
As for shipping supplies, for years we have had every store in town saving boxes for us, every neighbor saving packing at work, and I ship MANY items (paper, light clothing, etc.) in a folded taped grocery sack. I buy them 2000+ at a time for 5 cents each. Priority supplies are ok but I am not crippled without them by any means.
