posted on July 18, 2002 01:54:26 PM
I just signed up with FedEx. Maybe someone can answer 2 questions that I couldn't find answers to on the site.
1. Do they charge "customer counter" fees like UPS. (Ex: my UPS drop off is at a local store, they charge $2).
2. When I signed up, they were supposed to e-mail me an account number immediately. All they did was verify my sign-in name and password - no account #. (I signed up for "My FedEx.". I cannot perform many of the functions on their site without keying in an account #.
I called a rep at FedEx. They were so nice it blew me away. They helped me get my account set up the right way. They corrected errors right on the phone - no run around, no delays!
I'll be trying them out very soon. If my info is correct, I'll be giving my buyers more choice and cheaper rates.
I hope this works out, these people are easy to talk to. I didn't get transferred from desk to desk.
Very pleased with their phone reps and service in general. All you have to do is press "O" and you get a live person who knows what they're talking about.
So simple - I print out the label, stick it on the box, go to FedEx, park right outside the door, walk in and put the boxes on the counter. That's it!
Also, the My FedEx screen tells me when a package has been delivered. A bonus for me.
An observation... I put my PayPal card number in for billing. FedEx doesn't charge the card every time I send something. It was maybe 3 weeks before the first bunch of charges showed up.
Overall, I'll be using FedEx more than USPS or UPS. I've started putting a fixed S/H charge in my auctions and I'm getting more bids. Perhaps, as has been stated a zillion times, people just want to know what it's gonna cost to get their stuff!
posted on July 18, 2002 06:36:08 PM
Hi Gilbertsgoodies,
I'm in California and quote S/H for Zone 8, since practically everything is going that far.
Anything over 1 pound goes for less by FedEx than USPS Priority Mail. Especially if your buyer wants insurance. FedEx includes coverage to $100.00, USPS is now $1.30 for up to $50.00, $2.20 for $100.00.
What about the residential surcharge? I notice it fluctuates between $1.50 and $2.50. How do you account for that in your fixed pricing? I live in Ohio. My buyers are from a variety of zones.
BTW, my FedEx drop box is at the Post Office. I will be prepaying with my Paypal card, printing out the label, and sticking it in the box.
posted on July 18, 2002 08:03:54 PM
pclady: Did you notice that these boxes are for FedEdx EXpress"? Not in the ball game as far as price is concerned. Some thing to think about. USPS & FedEx have signed a contract for FedExto pick up & move all Priority & Express Mail. As a clerk said to me today, What went on behind closed doors? Does this have anything to do with the increase in rates for USPS Priority Mail rates?
I'm including the $1.15 surcharge when I quote S/H in my auctions. From California, to Zone 8, a 2 pound package FedEx is $4.65 + $1.15 - total $5.80 including insurance and tracking. I've only had a couple of packages that ended up with a higher surcharge because the buyer was in a rural area.
USPS Priority Mail to Zone 8 for 2 pounds is $5.75, no insurance or tracking. Insurance ($50.00) would add $1.30. All the way tracking was $0.40 before increases, I think it's more now.
Ohio is in the middle of the country. You could probably use a middle zone for FedEx and be okay. Sanmar and I are both in California so we're stuck with quoting S/H to Zone 8.
As he points out, the drop boxes are for FedEx Express, not FedEx Ground. My FedEx office is only a couple of miles from where I live so it's very easy to stop by and leave the packages.
I guess I didn't really answer your question on how I account for the residential surcharge in my fixed pricing.
Here's what I do. I look up the rate for the package from California to Zone 8. I add $1.15 for the residential surcharge. Then I round up to the next dollar or $1.50. That's what I quote in my auctions.
I decided a while back it didn't make sense to not cover at least part of the cost of my packing materials.
Some packages cost me less than what I've quoted, some are a bit more because the buyer is rural. It evens out because of the "wiggle room" I have in the S/H quote.
posted on July 18, 2002 09:25:38 PM
Lucy,
I've been using FedEx Ground for close to a year now and my method is very close to yours. Theoreticaly, you will break even at the end of the year by averaging the surcharge. In actual practice, a certain percentage will have their shipments delivered to a business address, and you will actually come out ahead in the long run. The customer will still be saving a bundle of money when compared to priority. It's a win - win situation. Bye the way, are there actually any Ebay sellers who still use priority mail for anything over 2 pounds?
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
Matter of fact, two of the last six packages I sent went to the bidder's workplace.
I got an email from someone asking if I would do "actuals shipping" to which I replied with the actual priority mail cost and the added cost for insurance, which was more than my stated S/H cost. I also said I do add a bit for my packing material and asked them for their zip code so I could give them a firm quote. Needless to say, I haven't heard back or seen a bid from them on the auction in question. Do I care? Nope... I don't need people like that.
As far as sending things priority, I've sent maybe two or three since the rate increases. They were all under a pound.
posted on July 18, 2002 10:52:43 PM
OK now I am really lost here,
I used FED EX ground for the first time the 9th, the package rate was the same I found on the site! So far so good, I had used them a lot from an old job, but never ground, well it's now the 18th and the package will not arrive until tomorrow according to tracking from WA to MI is this normal? I warned my recent buyers there may be a delay in fed ex and they don't care so far as it is so much cheaper.
I guess I should have done more research first, Is this time frame normal???
posted on July 18, 2002 11:31:36 PM
They will be 2 days late. FedEx ground quotes delivery times in business days, which excludes weekends and holidays. If the hangup is at destination, it's usually a problem with the address, or the customer not being home. ALWAYS insist on a contact phone number, and make sure it is legible on the label. As an alternative to guessing what the problem is, call FedEx and find out what's happening. They have real, live people who will answer your questions.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
. I cannot perform many of the functions on their site without keying in an account #.