Shipping Methods... UPS vs FedEx vs USPS

[kailabelle]

whats the difference in price? which do you prefer & why?

[dahlea]

The post office is by far the cheapest option, and the easiest for me. UPS and Fedex are more for shipping large items.

[kailabelle]

do you think customers prefer it being shipped ups/fedex rather than in the regular mail?

[dimhalo]

Get a price list from your local UPS shipper (shop around, our local hardware store has better prices for UPS shipping than the actual UPS place does), and ask for a Priority Mail price chart from the post office (they are both free). I always thought UPS was more expensive for small items, but my mom sells books on ebay and has found it's usually cheaper to send them UPS. Weigh your items, and do a price comparison. Also, some UPS places have a "send 4 packages, and get your 5th shipment free" or "send 9, get the 10th free" deals. Be sure to ask about that.

[dahlea]

I personally would rather get things from the post office, b/c UPS and Fedex just leave things sitting outside. They also have delivered things to the wrong address before. JMO

[hillarybillary]

my post office leaves things on my door step all the time. actually last week I have a opened package on my door step!I mean full opened and rifeled thru. Luckily they didnt like ehat they saw and left it there! I flipped out when I got home. I called my landlord I called the company I ordered from , hell I called my mom and complained. but there was nothing anyone could do.
*h

[kailabelle]

i was thinking of making the shipping so that any packages under 2lbs are sent through priority mail and anything heavier is sent through ups. Is that logical? Do you think it is worth it. My items are generally going to be smaller and lightweight.

[hollandcox]

From my experience often times UPS is cheaper than the postal service. Also, with USPS, "priority mail" is totally meaningless - not only do they force you to buy priority mail if your package is over a certain weight, but there is no difference between priority and "regular" mail. There's no guarantee your package will get anywhere, and if it doesn't arrive, there isn't really anyone you can even ask about it. My parents have lots of experience with UPS b/c of their business and have always been happy. Also, I like the idea of customers being able to track their UPS packages.

[kailabelle]

From my experience often times UPS is cheaper than the postal service. Also, with USPS, "priority mail" is totally meaningless - not only do they force you to buy priority mail if your package is over a certain weight, but there is no difference between priority and "regular" mail. There's no guarantee your package will get anywhere, and if it doesn't arrive, there isn't really anyone you can even ask about it. My parents have lots of experience with UPS b/c of their business and have always been happy. Also, I like the idea of customers being able to track their UPS packages.

me too. when i order sometihng online i always check everyday where it is.

[BellWether]

I too check my tracking numbers obsessively, but you can add tracking to USPS now. I prefer to receive USPS because they can leave it inside my apt. building-which is very safe and friendly.  I've missed a package from FedEx two days in a row now, and it is really frustrating.