How often do you use UPS or FedEx?

[fairytalepink]

I was wondering, how often do you use UPS or FedEx for your items.

It's interesting to see how few sellers seem to use them, preferring USPS for everything (even for bulky or heavy items). I tend to use UPS quite a bit for my heavier items, and I never had an issue where UPS charged me after the fact. However, I mostly buy my labels from Pirate Ship, so I wonder if that makes a difference. I rarely use FedEx, although I currently have one listing that is currently listed to ship via FedEx Ground/Home Delivery since it was cheaper for that item than UPS Ground according to the eBay Shipping Calculator (UPS rates are the same for both eBay and Pirate Ship according to the shipping calculator).

If you do use UPS or FedEx, which do you use more often between the two? My guess for those who use UPS or FedEx chose whichever one is more convenient (a seller may live closer to a UPS Store than a FedEx Office store, for example).

[wastingtime101]

I use USPS for the majority of my shipments, but I generally have packages going to UPS once a week. I won't use FedEx - too many issues with them.

[richard1rst]

I was sending a fair amount (generally larger heavier boxes) through UPS until the first of this year. Then Pirateship added Parcel Select Cubic pricing for less than UPS. eBay does not offer that service.  I just had a 20x14x7 box at 20 pounds. Parcel Select was somewhere about $5-6.00 less than UPS.

AND

UPS is noted for additional upcharges after the fact. The post office will return an undeliverable package at no charge,. UPS charged me $13.09 for the same service.

I have boxes that are imprinted by the manufacturer at 14x12x10 (just under 1 cubic foot). UPS says they are 14x13x11 and added an additional dimensional charge.

And those upcharges did come through Pirateship.

ETC

While you should never say never I can not picture using UPS again.

[wastingtime101]

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@richard1rst wrote:

The post office will return an undeliverable package at no charge,. UPS charged me $13.09 for the same service.

I have boxes that are imprinted by the manufacturer at 14x12x10 (just under 1 cubic foot). UPS says they are 14x13x11 and added an additional dimensional charge.

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USPS will not charge for First Class or Priority RTS packages. They will charge you for Parcel Select and Media Mail RTS packages.

The printed dimensions are almost always interior dimensions, not exterior. I have 12x12x12 boxes that I need to trim down to stay within a cubic foot and not get hit with those higher rates.

[vintagecraze50]

I used Fed Ex Express 2 day during the pandemic because USPS was a mess. They were more expensive but they got the job done well during that time. Right now USPS is exceptionally reliable and will not go for those higher charges from Fed Ex. Fed Ex ground is miserably sloooow, getting the package to customers so it is not an option. The Fed Ex Express is the only affordable fast ship. Fed Ex uses dimensional weight so you have to be very careful when you ship large items or you will get a huge surcharge.

[pcobra93]

I use them all. Each one has their advantages and disadvantages. I have had issues with them all, yes. USPS is typically cheapest under 8 pounds and not going over 3 states away. UPS and Fedex both have their "zones" that they are cheaper in. I do not give the buyer the choice on which one I use unless they message me asking for a specific one. Nobody seems to care how it gets to them, just that it does. Since the seller is responsible for the item until delivered, I have always seen it to be my choice which one I use. For me it depends on cost and if I have other packages using the same service. I try to minimize the number of places I have to go each time. If you did not know you can drop off UPS at CVS and Fedex at Walgreens.....there are also other places you can drop off.

[postcardcountry]

I will never use FedEx.  I even went so far as to have the dog's medicine delivered to the vet instead of me because the pharmacy only uses Fed Ex.  FedEx doesn't have a clue where I live, makes it impossible to get them to understand 'misdelivered' does not mean 'delivered'.  Even after a 1/2 hour chat with a regional representative, nothing changed.  If they can't find me, and the big brown truck can, why would I pay them to misdeliver my packages?

[lakefor94]

 I anything worth some decent coin, goes UPS, say over 100 or 200. Game time decision. Never FedEx.

[12345jamesstamps]

USPS I usually use...but I like Fed Ex because you get the updates every day when item is going to arrive, out for delivery and delivered...I think the emails to a  buyer are the most important aspect for this. I do USPS because it is nearby. UPS a few times sent my items to be delivered to me to the wrong address just putting it outside another building in San Francisco. Fed Ex and USPS usually makes me sign also. I also live in Pacific Heights where it is not unusual to see 3 Fed Ex Trucks on my street at one time. Guess everyone in my neighborhood uses it.

[southern*sweet*tea]

USPS for pretty much everything.  I've used Fedex a couple of times when shipping stuff to the grandsons.

I will NOT use UPS anymore as they truly live up to their name of United Parcel Smashers.  I've never had damage with USPS or Fedex and everything I ship gets there fast and unbroken.