shipping issues

ScottRoush

ScottRoush

Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
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Okay.... I've been doing a lot of custom work lately for people all over the country (and world) and need some advice on shipping. I live in a small town but there is a place for UPS. There is nothing for FedEx other than a dropoff 10 miles away, although I have had them do pick ups.

So... For medium to large knives (13-14") what is the best as far as cost savings? I understand that UPS is a better choice for security of shipment... but what about savings?

Anyway... I just had a big shipping bill at the post office that got me down.

BTW... when I use USPS I always get delivery confirmation, at least $100 insurance and usually priority....
 
I find USPS Priority Mail is usually a little cheaper than UPS ground and usually gets it there in half the time. Oddly if the destination is very close this seems to take longer than if it has to go across the country, but all in all I have been happiest with this method so far. Parcel Post is usually the absolute cheapest option and shipping times are usually about the same as UPS ground. In spite of the horror stories, USPS had not let me down yet.

Fingers crossed is a good way to go, experience among others seems to indicate that problems can happen with any of the major carriers. UPS has my goat in this department but I won't go into detail, I just try to avoid using them on valuable out-going packages.
 
I also vote USPS Priority mail.
Using their flat rate boxes will almost always cost less, gets there quick and allows you to track the package.

When shipping internationally using UPS and others, the recipient may be charged a brokers fee. Not so with USPS. For international shipping the flat rate envelope does not allow you to track the package like you can with the medium and large flat rate boxes.

I have been shipping with USPS priority mail whenever it makes sense for the last 3 years. I usually ship anywhere from a couple to a couple dozen packages daily. There have been a couple delayed packages but only once a lost package. Better than I can say for my experience with other shippers.

With USPS if you pay for your postage online and print your own mailing label you also get a discount on shipping cost. I drop off the packages at the post office instead of waiting for a carrier to pick them up because that way they get scanned into the system quicker as well.
 
Burl Source said:
I also vote USPS Priority mail.
Using their flat rate boxes will almost always cost less, gets there quick and allows you to track the package.

When shipping internationally using UPS and others, the recipient may be charged a brokers fee. Not so with USPS. For international shipping the flat rate envelope does not allow you to track the package like you can with the medium and large flat rate boxes.

I have been shipping with USPS priority mail whenever it makes sense for the last 3 years. I usually ship anywhere from a couple to a couple dozen packages daily. There have been a couple delayed packages but only once a lost package. Better than I can say for my experience with other shippers.

With USPS if you pay for your postage online and print your own mailing label you also get a discount on shipping cost. I drop off the packages at the post office instead of waiting for a carrier to pick them up because that way they get scanned into the system quicker as well.
Click to expand...

Ditto
 
+1 for priority usps flat rate boxes. I am not a huge fan of the post office ever since they lost a huge duffle for about a year, but they did find it, and overall I've had good luck. I used to send out a lot of packages and whenever possible I used the priority mail flat rate stuff for the reasons given above. I use fed ex and UPS only when I need the speed of their premium services, I trust them more in that area than the postal service.

Another +1 for the online postage. MUCH better way to go. You do need a scale of some sort, but for the flat rate stuff any decent kitchen scale or something like that is fine. Unless you're very badly off they don't bother you if it's an ounce or two over the weight limit you paid for. Use their boxes, their online postage system, simple scale and whatever padding and point protection you prefer. The best part is that if I remember correctly you can get them to email the buyer with tracking info automatically as well.
 
thanks a ton... never even thought on the online postage! and I have a perfect scale. hot damn.
 
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