Using UPS over USPS..........WHY?!!!!

[deadite2112]

In my years using eBay I have found that any seller using UPS not only pays more for the shipping.....which is generally passed on to the buyer......but it takes a lot more time for the delivery. USPS First Class is less expensive, costs the buyer less, and a hell of a lot quicker. So again......why ?!!!!!

[annadryl]

I've used UPS (or Fedex) a few times over the years but those were all bigger, heavier packages. Not everything qualifies for USPS First Class... But I'm a small seller. I've received small UPS items from guys like Amazon because they practically own UPS.

[deadite2112]

Yeah....but still USPS priority still trumps UPS. I've actually had UPS hold an item at a stop for 2 days due go the fact it was ahead of schedule......pretty **bleep** practice. Just seems the easier route to use USPS.

[deadite2112]

I have also had UPS take a week to deliver an item to the USPS for delivery...... truthfully I could never figure that one out. If you're going to take the time to send it through UPS to United States Postal Service why not just send it you USPS in the first place?

[annadryl]

All true but sellers will still have their preferences. In the end the buyer trumps everyone by who they take their money to. That can count delivery methods, and cost, and service etc. as well as just the item itself.

Not fightin ya here, I agree. I use USPS 99% of the time. I've known many local carriers and clerks retire over the years 

[variety_nook]

Do whatever fits your business model. Simple as that! 

[victorjunkman55]

One of the few freedoms left here for sellers is to decide how they ship their Item. I have used the USPS white Priority Mail boxes since day 1, delivered free right to my door from USPS website. Plus they have flat rate boxes for going cross country. The 12 x 12 x 8 is my most common, I can fit 10 pounds in this box.  First class mail going up soon I hear, But I only use Priority mail, 3 days C to C delivery, having never had a claim, this works best for me. Good Luck to you.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Vendors who regularly use UPS Ground or their air services want to stick with UPS as a carrier so they incorporate UPS Surepost into their mix.   Many large mail order companies use either UPS Surepost or FedEx Smartpost as their "cheap" rate when they offer "free shipping."  Buyers can upgrade to UPS Ground, FedEx Home/Ground or an air service (2-day, 3-day, overnight) by paying extra.   Comparison to USPS First Class Package Service is not really appropriate, since the latter is sent via air except to nearby destinations.  UPS Surepost goes via ground transportation and is shuttled between UPS hubs, which is why it takes much longer.  High-volume vendors do get a significant discount and do not have to operate 2 separate shipping systems. The fewer decisions that shipping clerks have to make, the better! ~~C~~  

[deep-garnet-red]

Some people just don't know any better. They think there is something wrong with USPS. I have a friend who sends me stuff. She always uses FedEx which is way too expensive. I asked her why and she said she thought USPS was not reliable. Plus, the corporation she works for uses fedex and she figured they knew what they were doing...lol. 

UPS will hold up shipments until the truck is full, even if it takes days.  They rarely ever had a load ready for me anywhere near on time. In fact, the only time they ever had anything ready was when my company was late picking up because there were no other hazmat drivers in the area.

[deadite2112]

All i know is this, small, medium or large vendors should have the buyers best intrests at heart. Shipping time, validity of merchandise, and foremost buyer satisfaction should be a sellers top priorities. Just my old fashion values i guess......thank you all for your input on this subject.

[parkerized]

1. It is outrageous. No choices? Really? Are we pre-schoolers. UPS or nothing? Nothing, thank you. 

[phcd1]

If a seller has a business, businesses have a discount with UPS (and FedEx for that matter) that can be gigantic. I worked someplace once that had a 70% off retail rates. Needless to say, I shipped EVERYTHING for the office (and I just paid them every month).

[deadite2112]

I detect sarcasm from some.......i also detect vinegar and water on some. 

[pilgrimelectronics]

UPS guarantees its delivery times, even for Ground service. Most of the country can be delivered within 5 business days. Zone 2 and 3 can be delivered in 1 day (see UPS time-in-transit maps for your ZIP code). UPS generally requires a signature upon delivery for businesses, and will provide $100 of free insurance coverage if a package goes missing without a signature.

For sellers, UPS has free shipping software (UPS online or UPS Worldship) that makes it easier to enter and account for multiple shipments per day. UPS will pick up your packages every business day if you have a daily service account. And, as mentioned above, daily rates are much cheaper than retail rates, and larger customers can have negotiated rates that are even less expensive than that.

All that being said, USPS First Class Package service can't be beat for packages weighing less than 1 lb.

And USPS flat rate and regional rates prices can't be beat for heavier packages that fit in their respective boxes, especially if shipping cross-country or to AK, HI or PR.

In addition, USPS does not have residential or extended area surcharges like UPS, and offers free returns and free forwarding for 1st Class and Priority Mail. And they delivery on Saturday at no extra charge (and Saturday seems to count as a business day for delivery estimates).

And finally, UPS charges for dimensional weight for all ground and air packages, and at a higher factor than USPS. No dimensional weight for 1st class packages, or for Priority Mail packages less than 1 cubic foot, or for Priority Mail zones 2-4, or for Retail Ground or Parcel Select.

[possumpeddlar]

Breaking point with walk in for USPS is 13 oz.  Ebay USPS is 16 oz for same. You may qualify for cheaper mail shipping if over the 95% in seller dashboard for performance level. Very hard to maintain. USPS has had problem creating shipping label through ebay. Ebay CS says dont use USPS till they fix it.  Great no savings there. Fedex smartpost is cheaper for larger size packages. Hard to truly figure shipping time. They state 5-7 days. Well we forgot to tell you do not count weekends or holidays. That will run the number of days up.  Do not try to save money for buyer with no tracking it will be held against your seller dashboard level.  Ebay does not care if you try to save money on shipping.  Big items for UPS and FedEx can have sticker shock. Make sure you know what something cost before you charge shipping. You may have to eat the difference.  If something is late just try to find a responsible party if shipping Smartpost. Neither FedEx or USPS will want to accept responsibility. Good luck.