shipping comparison

[MartinPens]

I shipped out a Cigar Illusion to auction winner TomS today. Compared USPS, UPS and FedEx. Here are the comparisons with a declared amount of $50

USPS flat rate small box insured = $7.00
UPS ground = $13.45
FedEx home delivery = $9.95

I did FedEx and like the added assurance of a professional delivery amd tracking system.

Just thought I would share my findings

Regards

 

[wood-of-1kind]

Can you do the same excercise shipping outside the US? Say, to Canada. I suspect that
the figures will have a substantial variance.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

No need, Peter - USPS is clearly the only good choice!

The reason why shipping USPS is the ONLY good option to Canada:

USPS brokerage fee - either $0 (if it's not stopped)or $5.75 if it's stopped at customs (no matter the value of the package). No disbursement fee or other fees, and this fee is only charged if the package is stopped by customs. If so, 13 percent sales tax would then have to be paid as well.

UPS brokerage fee varies based on the declared value of the item. For a forty dollar item, the brokerage fee alone (cost to bring over the border) is about 22 after tax (yes, more than half of the value of the package). There's also a bond fee that they charge for paying the duty for you to the government (I cant' remember the percentage, but it's minimum about 6 dollars I think). Duty and sales tax are always paid in this method. All of these charges are in excess of the shipping price already paid.

So USPS is about 6 bucks if it gets stopped, UPS is a ridiculous fee, always - but these are only seen by the end user.

So in short, we Canucks really appreciate vendors shipping via the post office!

Andrew

 

[PTsideshow]

I did FedEx and like the added assurance of a professional delivery amd tracking system.
Just thought I would share my findings

Regards

Boy you sure don't have the drivers they have in this area of Macomb country Mi. He drops the package off on the porch last Friday in the rain didn't bother to knock or ring the bell. Wife was in the room were the front door was!
I have caught them walking up the steps and sticking the attempted delivery sticker on the door never knocking or using the door bell.
The other thing is they have contract drives with their own trucks. The one guy had an old raggity uhaul box truck with a paper sign taped and half tore off on the door. Neighbor thought he was stealing packages of the porches.

Plus the one guy couldn't read he would delivery packages for the house across the street, to mine then the center called and asked if I would take the package across the street for them I told them no I wasn't paid to delivery it!

I have contacted the local center 3 miles from the house, and then on the phone, and web site. All bull sh*t and nothing else.

I will give you the tracking system is great on line
:clown:

 

[Smitty37]

I shipped out a Cigar Illusion to auction winner TomS today. Compared USPS, UPS and FedEx. Here are the comparisons with a declared amount of $50

USPS flat rate small box insured = $7.00
UPS ground = $13.45
FedEx home delivery = $9.95

I did FedEx and like the added assurance of a professional delivery amd tracking system.

Just thought I would share my findings

Regards

Fine for shipping one item.

Shipping 100 packages per month which is about what I do. UPS small flat rate box confirmed delivery [no insurance because you don't need it on packages valued less than $100] $5.15 if you buy the postage on line. Hence a difference of $4.80 or close to $6000 per year. I ship USPS.

Shipping more you can get contracts with UPS and/or other shippers that might make some difference. Shipping heavy or odd shaped objects might also make some difference - I can't speak to that. My packages are usually less than 5 pounds and 75 - 80 percent will fit SFRB.

 

[alinc100]

Smitty,
I had the same thought about the insurance after a recent go round with the USPS.
I thought that insurance was included up to $100 value on Flat Rate Priority.
According to USPS it is free with EXPRESS mail up to $100 in declared value.
I talked to Canada Post today about a package I had sent to a suburb of Toronto on Feb 1st via USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail,expected delivery 6-10 business days.Nice lady at CP says package has now made its way to Toronto and should make the suburbs this week.
What does USPS say:"package accepted at Post Office ,Feb1st","sorry,no more information is available", "what about the insurance for items under $100?" "no sorry that is with express mail"which in this case would have been $59.95...more than the value of the item.
I am just pointing this out so others don't think like I did that the insurance is automatic.
.

Shipping 100 packages per month which is about what I do. UPS small flat rate box confirmed delivery [no insurance because you don't need it on packages valued less than $100] $5.15 if you buy the postage on line. Hence a difference of $4.80 or close to $6000 per year. I ship USPS.

 

[Smitty37]

Should have made clear

Smitty,
I had the same thought about the insurance after a recent go round with the USPS.
I thought that insurance was included up to $100 value on Flat Rate Priority.
According to USPS it is free with EXPRESS mail up to $100 in declared value.
I talked to Canada Post today about a package I had sent to a suburb of Toronto on Feb 1st via USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail,expected delivery 6-10 business days.Nice lady at CP says package has now made its way to Toronto and should make the suburbs this week.
What does USPS say:"package accepted at Post Office ,Feb1st","sorry,no more information is available", "what about the insurance for items under $100?" "no sorry that is with express mail"which in this case would have been $59.95...more than the value of the item.
I am just pointing this out so others don't think like I did that the insurance is automatic.
.

Shipping 100 packages per month which is about what I do. UPS small flat rate box confirmed delivery [no insurance because you don't need it on packages valued less than $100] $5.15 if you buy the postage on line. Hence a difference of $4.80 or close to $6000 per year. I ship USPS.

I should have made clear...I self insure. Up to $100 I asume the risk of loss. Trust me on this it saves me a bundle of money.

Over $100 > $200 I usually I insure for $100 and assume the risk for the rest. I also do not use Postal Insurance, I use a private carrier - for half the post office rate and less hassle collecting claims. Most higher amounts I insure unless I forget.

In the years since I started using confirmed delivery because the postage is cheaper if you use it (if you buy the postage on line), I have not had one single package lost in the mail.

I have had two or three where I had to replace a couple of kits damaged in transit and one where I had to replace them all. I would guess that is for around 4500 or 5000 packages - less than 1/10 of 1% loss. I just don't think anyone is likely to do better. I have maybe a dozen or so packages each year where I get a call or an email asking its where abouts because it's been a problem.

The worst I had was during last years floods when there were a lot of planes grounded, roads closed and facilities under water - all of them eventually got through but there were a bunch that were delayed.

 

[Smitty37]

I did FedEx and like the added assurance of a professional delivery amd tracking system.
Just thought I would share my findings

Regards

Boy you sure don't have the drivers they have in this area of Macomb country Mi. He drops the package off on the porch last Friday in the rain didn't bother to knock or ring the bell. Wife was in the room were the front door was!
I have caught them walking up the steps and sticking the attempted delivery sticker on the door never knocking or using the door bell.
The other thing is they have contract drives with their own trucks. The one guy had an old raggity uhaul box truck with a paper sign taped and half tore off on the door. Neighbor thought he was stealing packages of the porches.

Plus the one guy couldn't read he would delivery packages for the house across the street, to mine then the center called and asked if I would take the package across the street for them I told them no I wasn't paid to delivery it!

I have contacted the local center 3 miles from the house, and then on the phone, and web site. All bull sh*t and nothing else.

I will give you the tracking system is great on line
:clown:

I am not overly impressed with FedEx or DHL. FedEx does just drop the packages on the porch and the packages sent via DHL look like they have gone through a war zone - I'm always amazed that there are actually very few items damaged insice of the most beatup looking packages you can imagine. I do have to open them all and look for damage within 24 hours though.

The best shipping comes from Dayacom - You wouldn't believe how well they package and how heavy and strong the boxes they use are. They ship China Post or TNT depending on the weight. China Post is delivered by USPS and in this area TNT is often delivered by UPS.