Using UPS for shipping - am I missing something?

[knifeaholic]

This is partially a rant, but I honestly want to know - what, if any are the advantages of shipping with UPS? Some ebay sellers that I buy from (small items in the 4-5 ounce range) ship to me via UPS.

I ship primarilly small packages under 10 ounces, and I normally use USPS Ground Advantage.  Shipping labels through Pirate Ship are typically in the $4 to $6 range.

I just had a customer who insisted that I ship via UPS Ground (and was ok with paying the extra).

This is for a 6x6x6 inch box, total weight 6 ounces.

I had already priced the USPS Ground Advantage label at about $5.70 (Massachusetts to Arizona).

Pirate Ship would not print the UPS label (wrong label size) so I took the package to the UPS Store.

The UPS Ground charge was $29.62!!!

I just cannot wrap my heard around a shipping cost over 5 times the cost of USPS.

Is this typical for UPS?  And to those of you who ship via UPS, what are the advantages?

[redlinear]

@knifeaholic 
   Considerably better assurance of timely delivery.  Especially since USPS is all over the place lately.
 I'll pay a few dollars more for UPS many times just so I don't hear back from the seller "WHERE'S MY STUFF??!!"
  And, when packages get heavier (and/or longer), UPS is many times less expensive.
AND, what @stainlessenginecovers  said.
I used to have a deal with UPS where I used them EXCLUSIVELY. AND, we never made lots or damaged claims.  Of course, USPS was even worse then than they are now. We flat out would not ship via USPS or to a PO Box.
Got awesome rates from UPS and filled their truck daily (they left a trailer here for us). 

[stainlessenginecovers]

The reason most 'some sellers' ship UPS is because 

a.) they have their OWN account

b.) they ship lots and have a 'deal' with UPS

Most smaller sellers that ship smaller items (under 10lbs) find USPS better from ebay because

a.) UPS has been known to come back and charge a seller more, sometimes LOTS more that what the shipping calculator told you when you purchased it (because they have other 'variables' as well as the 'cost of the label' is a 'guess' (estimate) and the 'real' price is determined AFTER it's delivered

b.) UPS and Fedex accounts belong to ebay (if purchasing labels here) so if there's a 'lost' item or 'damaged' you are pretty much out of luck (lots of digging to find out/figure out how to file for an issue)

[simba6]

UPS is often cheaper for large or heavy packages. USPS costs less for smaller and lighter packages.  You have to check their rate tables to find the best price.

[knifeaholic]

Ok thanks.  I thought that might be the case, just shocked at the cost difference for a small box.

[gloryglorygifts]

I had a customer request that I offer UPS so they could have something delivered. I looked up the rates and were comparable to USPS (about $6) so said I said sure. It was a 4 oz item.  When I got the invoice from my shipper, it was $23.98. I will never, ever, do that again. I don't see the love affair with UPS. Had that item shipped from here, I would have had to watch for the driver and run after him with the box or leave it at a drop off location. USPS takes it right from our designated pick up spot. 

[lakefor94 · Accepted solution]

@knifeaholic 

I use UPS for ALL the expensive items no matter what the weight is. Most of my buyers are business folks that need timely deliveries for installations/projects.

There is a much less chance of any type of delay with UPS. 

USPS can be delay prone.

UPS of course gets all the large/heavy shipments as well.

I shop USPS/UPS pricing on PirateShip consistently.  I save significant money every month with PirateShip on the items 1 lb. to 50 lbs or more.

Never take anything to a UPS counter.  Buy all shipping online.