posted on January 16, 2006 01:04:46 PM
Hi, all: I keep hearing that UPS rates are lower, but when I do a test on a given item, given weight, to the east coast I invariably find that UPS is higher than P.O. priority shipping. Am I overlooking something? The UPS man here in town comes by our place nearly every day, and for heavier items it would be very convenient for pickup.
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posted on January 16, 2006 01:21:52 PM
for heavy items,some sellers claim UPS ground is cheaper than USPS first class or even parcel post,of course there is this 100 dollars insurance included with UPS.
But bear in mind private carriers like UPS could charge extra if the package is delivered to area out of their way such as rural route or an apt in a large apt complex where the driver has to spend time finding the apt .
I think they call it gas surcharge.
more sellers would come to shed light on this issue.
/ lets all stop whining !! /
[ edited by hwahwa on Jan 16, 2006 01:22 PM ]
posted on January 16, 2006 02:04:15 PM
No easy answer. Depends where you live. I'm on the furthermost south-east coast, and so over 3 pounds, horizontally across the US, the further west it goes, the bigger the savings. Unless it fits into priority flat box or envelope of course (I sent 25 lbs. of model railroad iron and steel parts to Hawaii for $7.70 which delighted both myself and the buyer)
Going up and down vertically not much difference -- and within your own zone, UPS becomes significantly more expensive especially for lighter packages. If you are in the center of the US, I would assume there is little difference to either coast.
Most everything over 3-4 pounds I ship goes FedEx through my account with them -- my FedEx rates are overall about $2-$3 less per piece than the eBay shipping calculator shows for UPS. I am lucky to have shipper 1/4 mile down the road for easy drop offs, and of course mailman picks up whatever I have.
I do ship a lot of heavy stuff and 99% of it seems go to the west coast. If it's really really fragile, it does go priority mail -- so that mike's car parts don't fall on top of my antique glass globes of course!
posted on January 16, 2006 02:17:26 PM
When I was selling case lots at wholesale prices, I would send them UPS because it was cheaper for heavy boxes no matter what zip code they were going. And they would pick up everyday. I'm talking about 22lbs to 45lb boxes.
But when I had to send something 1 or 2 lbs it was expensive using UPS, so I would use
USPS for the lighter packages.
posted on January 16, 2006 02:34:54 PM
About 98% of everything I ship goes FedEx Ground. The only exception is the occasional very light item or something going to a remote location here in California. By the time you add DC and insurance to a priority package, it usually turns out much cheaper to use FedEx. And if there is a claim, FedEx is much less of a hassle, and they will reimburse shipping. Also, they guarantee their delivery dates. If they're late, they refund the shipping charges upon claim except in the event of delays caused by an act of God or public authority.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on January 16, 2006 03:32:22 PM
Lucy: I'm tired of selling and shipping heavy things; I have some here that I'm selling on consignment but don't have much of anything heavy left of my own to sell. I'm seriously considering refusing consignment items that are heavy, because of the hassle of lugging them around, finding the right big box, wrapping the danged things, and politely answering buyers' questions as to the high shipping costs, etc.
Sparkz: I may look into FedEx ground for the heavier things. We have nowhere here in Idyllwild, not even a FedEx box!, to ship from, but pickup could be an option. Ah me.
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posted on January 16, 2006 03:40:05 PM
That's the fly in the ointment with FedEx Ground, Roadsmith. You have to have a way to get it to them. If they don't have a staffed location close by, you have to have them pick it up or you have to ship if from a designated pickup point such as Mailboxes, Etc., both of which add to the cost of shipping. Now that FedEx owns Kinkos, it makes it easier for a lot of people as all Kinkos stores are staffed shipping points now, so there's no pickup or retail surcharges for shipping from one of their locations.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on January 16, 2006 05:57:23 PM
I find Fedex ground to more cheaper most of the time than UPS, but I almost always get better rates from USPS with lighter items, but when your dimensions go over the 108 inch mark, you have to look to UPS and Fedex.
Someone suggested recently that I try DHL, their dimension limits are higher than UPS & Fedex ground, so I'm going to price them out next large package I have.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on January 16, 2006 08:00:27 PM
I have used both FedEx and UPS and will never use either again. I switched to DHL about a year ago and it's one of the best shipping decisions I ever made. Both FedEx and UPS rates went up this year but DHL is holding steady with their old rates. I even called and asked and was told DHL does NOT have a increase scheduled. Even more reason to stick with them. Free box's from FedEx and UPS can not be used for Ground service (bummer), DHL's free box's can be used for anything including Ground service which is another plus. I don't ship a huge amount a year and average maybee 8-10 a week but I save on average $25-35 (when compared to FedEx or UPS) a week even with my low volume. I should use them more often and use the USPS less for alot of my other packages but I like to schedule pick up every day so I can talk to my carrier, she's a hottie The more a buyer can save on shipping is all the more they can bid on my item. I know, I know, someone is going to have a horror story about a package they sent or received from DHL that looks like it was run over by a stampede of elephants. But in my experience I see more damaged packages from UPS and FedEx than I have with DHL. In one year I have only ever had one package damaged and the insurance claim was paid in 14 day's, try that with the other guy's. Customer service support is 24/7/365, the other guy's take off for holiday's. There is alway's a friendly voice awaiting to answer my question with DHL no matter when I call and I actually get the feeling they care. Ohh, I even got a Christmas present from DHL this year. The local DHL office sent me a hat, polo shirt and calander. The only thing I ever got from FedEx and UPS was a bill.
Just another white mouse in the ebay maze looking for some cheese. --- Mike
posted on January 16, 2006 09:04:09 PM
The Preceeding message was brought to you from Mikie, The DHL Poster Boy
Now I have to go look at DHL Mike. That was a pretty good sales pitch, but I'm not sure I can use them in Panama City. I'll have to see what they charge for pickup.
I used to use them in Dallas and I know they are available for shipment to larger areas, but I'm not sure about their service to backwater areas. FedEx charges for delivery to rural areas. Does DHL?
posted on January 16, 2006 10:03:51 PM
They charge for residential delivery is $2.10 or you can look at as a commercial delivery discount. Package pickup fee is $3.00 for single pickup but I find that by signing up for the daily pickup at $7 or $8 (can't remember at the moment) per week is a better deal. If you plan on shipping 3 or more packages a week just sign up for the daily pickup. I also like the charge by the week system because I can cancel a week for let's say a vacation (ha ha) and then start the daily pickup when I get back, thereby not paying when I am not using it. If you have a package for them to pick up they will, if not it's not a problem. Personally I worked out a system with my driver, If I have a packae I put a little red flag on my newspaper box when I get it in the morning. If the flag's not there I don't have anything to pick up and he can just drive by. As far as the rural area charge I think they do have one but I rarely run into it. My suggestion would be to call them (1-800-CALL DHL), they are alway's more than happy to explain their services and fee's. I am after all only their Poster Boy
Just another white mouse in the ebay maze looking for some cheese. --- Mike
posted on January 16, 2006 11:29:24 PM
Thanks, everyone, for your helpful suggestions. Mike, you've given me a lot to think about here; our sole UPS fella in our little mountain town is a great guy, sometimes spotting my car outside of Curves or the beauty shop and bringing a package in, to save himself a 2-mile drive to our place at the edge of town. Everyone here is crazy about Jim. I think I could schedule daily pickup with him and work out some sort of system--for the heavier items, that is. I'll have to flag him down soon--or just run outside when he delivers. He's here about 4 times a week anyway, LOL, delivering the stuff we've ordered online or through QVC, LL Bean, etc. -- things we can't buy here in the mountains and won't drive 30 miles to shop for.
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Caroline 
The more a buyer can save on shipping is all the more they can bid on my item. I know, I know, someone is going to have a horror story about a package they sent or received from DHL that looks like it was run over by a stampede of elephants. But in my experience I see more damaged packages from UPS and FedEx than I have with DHL. In one year I have only ever had one package damaged and the insurance claim was paid in 14 day's, try that with the other guy's. Customer service support is 24/7/365, the other guy's take off for holiday's. There is alway's a friendly voice awaiting to answer my question with DHL no matter when I call and I actually get the feeling they care. Ohh, I even got a Christmas present from DHL this year. The local DHL office sent me a hat, polo shirt and calander. The only thing I ever got from FedEx and UPS was a bill.
