posted on August 8, 2007 05:10:43 AM new
recently some of you have posted informational alerts to the p.o.'s[post office] new pricing guidelines.
so, this may be redundant. any package not of a priority mail box size[actually packed in one their boxes]. is measured, and charge is figured by its dimensions. used to be 108 inches i think..no more!!
i had a carton 16 x 16 x 19 x 7lbs.; priority mail fee, 30449 to 91748 was $39.85..
back to parcel post...
myoldtoy
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p.s last time i sent pkg. cost was $22.05
[ edited by myoldtoy on Aug 8, 2007 05:12 AM ]
posted on August 8, 2007 05:37:41 AM new
Aha -- the balloon rate at work! Applies cross country; had you shipped it to NY, it would have been the lower rate up to 84".
Had you shipped FedEx, that package with insurance would have cost you $11.19. My FedEx ground/home packages are now being delivered in four days from SC to the west coast.
PS: I looked up your zip code and guess I forgot that not everyone has shipping services nearby. So choices depend on how far you have to travel to drop off -- or whether it's worth the pick up fee.
posted on August 8, 2007 06:56:27 AM new
I got bit yesterday on the balloon rate (anything over 1 cubic foot), I used a calculator in the auction and chose oversize from the pull down and put in the dimensions as requested but it did not calculate correctly. I had to pay an additional $8.50. I went ahead and paid it as it was not the buyers fault, he paid what the calculator said. I have learned that I need to just put 10 pounds (the balloon rate) into the calculator. Oh well, live and learn, I actually thought I had it figured out!
posted on August 8, 2007 08:10:05 AM new
pmelcher - are you saying that even if you put the correct weight and measurement the calculator doesn't calculate it correctly with the zip?
Which calculator do you use Vendio or ebay?
myoldtoy - that would have cost less than $10 with DHL. Lately when I take stuff into DHL they don't even measure the package. I don't know what's up with that and I'm afraid to ask!!
posted on August 8, 2007 09:23:14 AM new
We've chosen to go with FedEx Ground for anything over 12x12x12 (1 cf). If we're shipping something that's over 1cf, it gets bumped up to 13 lbs if it's going from our PA location to the west coast.
We had one recently that would have been $23.00+ and had only charged $13 or so for shipping. Rather than eat the $10, we shipped it FedEx Ground and it came in at about $8.00. And, it got there in 3 days with tracking all the way. The customer was thrilled that we used FedEx.
It may take awhile, but the full impact of this latest increase the PO has made may, in fact, reduce their volume and their revenue.
As far as DHL, we thought about using them, because they are a bit cheaper, but we have a really crappy DHL driver who has delivered to us - literally standing 1/2 way to our door and "chucking" the package onto our porch. I saw him do it 2x. Contrast that with the quality of our FedEx and UPS drivers on our route - and I can't in good conscience hand over fragile items to DHL and not expect damage reports from customers.
posted on August 8, 2007 09:32:12 AM new
This is very true of DHL, TheFamilyBiz, so I always make sure I over pack. I use them a lot and (knock on wood) I've only had 4 items broken in 3 or 4 years. They paid the claims in full but I still hate the loss of a antique or collectible.
Is FedEx good with handling?
posted on August 8, 2007 09:38:50 AM new
I hate to tempt fate, but we've only had one item break in 5 years of selling porcelain and glass - shipping worldwide. That one item was USPS to Japan and a tall porcelain figurine lost her head <smile>.
We've not had any complaints from FedEx at all. Has anyone here had any experience with a FedEx employee who was not overly happy and willing to do whatever you needed? I've dealt with many FedEx drivers over the years - and a few office staff - and they genuinely seem to like what they're doing and I've NEVER heard one complain about their job. I think they probably treat them well (as employees) and they are strict in their hiring to be sure to eliminate those who don't want to work for a living.
I'd be interested in hearing what other people have experienced, too.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on August 8, 2007 09:42:23 AM new
I ship a lot of fragile and large items. In several years, FedEx broke one piece -- actually, I didn't pack it right so it wasn't even their fault. Two items I had shipped to me Fedex were broken, again, poor packing, as in REALLY poor packing by the seller. Surprisingly, they paid both claims (under $100 they don't fuss too much I've been told by my shipper). I only use DHL when it's considerably cheaper, very large to west coast can be significantly less. On occasion, the DHL billed rate seems different (higher of course) that the quoted rate (I have an account) and it seems that you have to add insurance as well for an additional charge ("value protection), or am I wrong about that?
In the calculator (I use Turbo Lister), I always put the dim weight; ie. whatever it will balloon to in large shipments. I never use USPS for anything over 3 lbs., unless it's in my zone or flat rate box. And I've started to ship first class for smaller lightweight pieces.
posted on August 8, 2007 10:47:15 AM new
hi all; appreciate the feedback.
ebab: yep you rite. buttt; and that is all i can say about the local dhl driver.
the only problem i have with fedx is insurance over $100, which this package
required. plus as someone else noted, it
just aint easy to get to the fedex man. THAT is the price i pay for living at the edge of a river back in the swamp way down in south georgia.
having said all that, i could have spent the time to take to dhl or fedex, saving money.
so i notified customer parcel post would be 18 bucks and take 4 days more than priority. since they were okay with that, i gave uncle sam the business.
posted on August 9, 2007 03:40:15 AM new
I opened up a FedX account myself yesterday. I had been using FedX all along for heavier items as the USPS was ridiculous, but had never known there was a savings advantage to opening an account. The lady at the service counter was phenomenal. Knowledgeable, polite & quick. My package would have been about $20 via USPS and was 1/2 that via FedX. I had saved $2 by opening the account. I am finding it nearly impossible to figure out what USPS is going to charge these days so I am going to do more shipping via FedX for that reason alone.
posted on August 9, 2007 05:35:20 AM new
yep... i was bit big-time a couple months ago by the 'new' USPS rates sold a not-weighty, but large item and estimated in my mind, based on the past, 11.95 to s/h, so that what i stated in the auction the s/h would be ...
it sold for 9.99 on ebay.
posted on August 9, 2007 06:54:39 AM new
What is wrong with USPS parcel post??
It may take 2 -3 more days to get there,but it will get there?
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Lets all stop whining !
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posted on August 9, 2007 07:08:57 AM new
Your experience may be different, but with Parcel Post, the extra few days in transit and the way those packages get handled - tally up to potential damage.
Our policy is to keep it in the delivery stream as short as possible - or use services that don't have as many disgruntled employees. They don't call maniacal attacks "going postal" for nothing, right?
posted on August 9, 2007 07:31:24 AM new
My experience has been that you can't preprint the label with Parcel Post such as DHL, UPS and FEDEX. With them I can get preprinted labels and if I ever figure out how, I can print them with my printer. With parcel post, I had to stand in line while they weigh and measure the DIM and hope they agree with my estimate to the buyer.
I loved Priority Mail as was so easy to print the label and attach it and then just drop it off with no waiting.
posted on August 9, 2007 08:10:45 AM new
myoldtoy - Georgia girl here. Which part of GA do you live? I was born in Savannah and my sister still lives there.
TheFamilyBiz - My only experiences with FedEx have been good with the exception of one counter agent who acts like it would kill her to give you the time of day.
When I look back on my breakage with DHL - one wasn't packed as well as it should have been - we rushed too much to get it out before the Holiday's. Another item I think the customer broke himself.
I like the fact that DHL will pick up (for $3.00 per item) and that really great for large items. Plus they insure up to $100 free as does FedEx & UPS. I go with DSI for anything over that amount
I don't know what's going on with DHL's rates. I shipped 5 dining chairs from FL to NC for $32 dollars. That was with me dropping them off - pick up would have cost$120 or more according to their website.
posted on August 9, 2007 04:17:48 PM new
My personal experience with Fed Exp is not too good-
once the driver threw a package in my garage,and FORGED my signature .
The customer service staff seems rather sleazy,they talked me into opening an account with them like no pickup,no fee,well,it aint so when I received a bill from them.
Well,may be I am hard of hearing,but there's more-
My Turkish vendor shipped me a big carton of crystal via Fed Exp intl,I complained to Fed exp how expensive it is,and the lady looked up his account and said I will flip this freight bill over to him and you can pay him .
My turkish vendor never send me a bill,I guess the lesson is you must audit your freight bills,esp if they come from FED EXP.
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Lets all stop whining !
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[ edited by hwahwa on Aug 9, 2007 08:27 PM ]
[ edited by hwahwa on Aug 13, 2007 12:51 PM ]
posted on August 13, 2007 06:27:32 AM new
Sorry, about answering so late, I was gone. It was the Vendio form I used and put in the measurements and I was pretty sure I picked the 'Large package/Oversize 1 (over 1 cu ft)' but maybe I did not. I will try it again and double, triple check to see that it 'sticks' and calculates correctly.
