http://www.usps.com has a very handy rate calculator that is easy to use. You just answer a few general questions about the package (is it over certain diminsions, etc.), enter the weight, your zip code, the destination zip code, and when you want it there. They'll then talk you through any optional services you want like insurance or restricted delivery (both of which are a good idea when shipping a valuable knife), and then it'll spit out the rate. When I then go to the post office, it's always within a few cents. My scale at home only weighs to within 1/4 oz. The scales at the post office go to 1/10 oz., so I think that's the source of any variation.
With UPS, you have to ask if you're going to them directly, which is usually very inconvenient since they won't come to your house to pick up one or two packages and their terminals are only open to the public odd hours and are generally located in very remote, low-rent locations, or if you're using one of their reseller, someone like Mailboxes Etc. If you go through a reseller, then UPS's guarantees DO NOT apply. The "guaranteed overnight delivery" is no longer guaranteed. UPS says, "we can't guarantee the performance of these independent reseller." This is like GM saying that because you bought your new Chevy at your local dealer instead of flying to Detroit to pick it up at the factory, that GM is not going to repair it if it breaks.
It is UPS's goal to open and inspect the contents of ALL packages they carry for individuals. This is not a rummor. When I first heard this I thought it couldn't possibly be true. So, I e-mailed UPS customer relations from their website. They replied and confirmed that while they are not yet up to 100%, they do open most packages sent by individuals and are working to get to 100%. Why? They are concerned about hazardous materials in the packages possibly hurting their employees. When I asked if they could, without getting into details, cite some examples of the sort of problems they'd been having, they declined. When I asked why the USPS, FedEx, DHL, Emery, Overnight, Pilot Air Express, etc., didn't seem to be having such problem and don't see the need to open packages, they had no explaination.
Recently, UPS declared that they would no longer transport guns except via their expensive overnight service. Why? "To much employee theft." When I suggested that their might be a relationship between employee theft and the policy of searching packages, the response was, "We have forwarded your suggestion on for further consideration." Hello? Would you like to buy a vowel?
Several months ago, a package containing a rare knife was sent to me here in Sherwood, Oregon via UPS overnight. It did not arrive the next day. Their website "tracking" feature reported that the package was, "in transit." I said, "Well, maybe it just got dropped off a little to late for overnight delivery. It'll be here tomorrow." Nope. The web site still listed it as "in transit." I called the 800 number and, after talking to several people, one finally explained that the package had been scanned into their sorting facility in Roswell, GA, but had not been seen since. I was lost in the Roswell facility. I asked to have the postage refunded since they were now two days late. They explained that according to UPS policy, a refund can not be issued until the package is delivered. Ok. About a week later, I checked the site just out of hope. It suddenly reported that the package was in the UPS depot in Tualatin, Oregon, just up the street from my house! There were no intermediate scans listed, it just magically appeared in Tualatin. "Well, I thought, thank goodness. It'll be delivered tomorrow morning. I'll call for my refund. Everything will be fine." Nope. So, I called. They explained that it wasn't scheduled to be delivered until the day after tomorrow. I asked if I could go and get it. No. Impossible! I asked how they could ever have delivered it from Georgia to my house overnight if they couldn't get it from Tualtin, Oregon to my house in three days? They had no explaination. That's just the way it is. When it finally did come, it was very damaged (though the knife was fine). I called for my refund on my now 15 day late overnight package and was told, "claims for late delivery of overnight packages must be filed within 14 days of shipping." But, claims can not be filed until after the package arrives. No wonder it had to sit in Tualatin for four days. They had no comment and refused to issue a refund. I pushed this one up the ladder as far as I could. I talked to seven different representatives, supervisors, supervisor's supervisors, special representatives, etc. on that call. In all, I was on their 800 number for about 90 minutes. I don't know what UPS pays for their 800 number. But I'm certain that 90 minutes of it cost them more than refunding my shipping costs would have been. That's just how bull-headed a company they are.
Recently, I was sent another fine knife from Ohio. The shipper got it to the Fed Ex office just past 5pm his time. It was delivered to my house at 9:35am the next morning! I couldn't belive it.
For my money, it's Fed Ex every time!
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
