Is there an alternative to USPS for small domestic packages?

[beautifulbeauty2012]

USPS is giving too much of headache lately, and the denial of insurance for Priority package they lost because they "could not verify method of mailing" is the last drop of my patience.

With international mail, I have a few options not to pay USPS (at least they don`t get much), but with small packages, I can`t find one with a similar or close to price. Maybe someone found it? Appreciate your thoughts.

[1tuna]

my average USPS shipping price for small packages is in the 6-8 ounce range or maybe just  under $4

I charge $5 for shipping so I do not think anyone is going to match that in terms of savings

I know for sure I can ship 20 packages for 100 or less so I just have to grin and bear it with the slowness

big trouble for me is having to go priority but that never really happens

[beautifulbeauty2012]

I offered $3.95 shipping until today, not anymore - the lowest is $4.95 now. 

[richard1rst]

You mention "small packages" but also "Priority Mail".  So the first question becomes how much do these small packages weigh? If over a pound I have been pleasantly surprised to find that SOMETIMES (and I want to emphasis it is not always so) UPS has been at or about and sometimes a few cents less on a small 2 pound package on USPS.

Undestand that UPS (and FedEx) go more by the size of the package than the weight. A small 2 pound package will cost less than a larger (still under 1 cubic foot) 2 pound package. Not the case with USPS but it is the case with UPS.

And since eBay includes a UPS option with their print label page quotes it is easy to check.

[clogsdoc-usa]

I wish we had an alternative shipping option as the current USPS pricing is too high for my small, lightweight plastic fasteners, which are mailed in a #000 Kraft Padded Envelope.  These must be sent First Class Package Service as they are 3/4" thick and not entirely flexible, so standard First Class Mail is out, even thought it would only cost me $1.00 to ship (prior to any holiday surcharge).

My products are listed as low as $3.88 and as high as $9.95, depending on the quantity, plus shipping ($3.25).  With the current Holiday surcharge, (which we all know will become permanent) I need to increase my USPS First Class Package fee to at least $3.50, which most people will say is too much considering the price of my products.  At $3.25, I have had a few customers provide feedback that shipping is too high, but that is because they are ignorant to what shipping actually costs.  My competition is choosing to absorb the shipping increase from last year and this year and only charge $2.99, $3.00 or $3.20, which isn't helping.  My actual USPS FCPS costs between $3.31 and $3.79 w/the holiday surcharge, so $3.50 seems fair.

Anyway, I feel I am losing sales to my competition now, but I refuse to go lower and shrink my already small profit margin.  I'll ride this out and re-evaluate my sales plans going forward.  I may even temporarily close my eBay Store through the holidays since last year was a horrible experience with 2-4 week delivery delays being the norm.  eBay did not do us any favors either.  They should inform all buyers that shipping surcharges are in effect when they visit eBay so they aren't shocked, but I know they won't. 😞