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 ?!!!!!

[rixstuff]

I have had nothign but problems with UPS and wont use them.  They only work in our neighborhood M-F 9-5 which wouldnt be a problem except everybody in our neighborhood WORKS during the day so nobody is home to sign for packages.  The nearest center is 20 minutes away and again, they are only open 9-5.  So stay home to sign or take off from work to pick it up. I have found few things that cant be sent through USPS - Priority or First Class or International - something will work.

[terrycanarsky]

Depends on what you're shipping.  Small, lightweight stuff, USPS 1st Class.  Heavier than a pound but less than 70#, USPS is almost always less expensive.  Anything between 70# and 150# or so, UPS saves you money, especially with the discount (or rather, it saves your buyer the money).

~M

[sam9876]

"UPS generally requires a signature upon delivery for businesses"

Funny.

[rixstuff]

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@possumpeddlar wrote:

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. 

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You can also get cheap shipping through Paypal/shipnow.  Lots of options and good discounts.  I use them when I ship for the craft and vintage site.  Their shipping costs are DELUSIONAL ($19 to ship a ring to Canada? REALLY? Uh not).

[missjen831]

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@possumpeddlar wrote:

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. 

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@possumpeddlar are you under the impression that you are getting a special discount when you buy USPS postage from ebay? You aren't. Ebay wants you to think you are, but you aren't. Ebay charges the USPS commercial rate. You CAN buy postage elsewhere for the exact same price--paypal, stamps.com for example.

[postingid2017]

It is not up to the recipient to decide which carrier they prefer - ever.  I've used USPS/FedEx with FedEx as my preferred shipper.  FedEx tracking is more reliable than USPS and if there is a problem, FedEx will fix it immediately.  

One of the law firm(s) that I worked for, the attorney preferred FedEx as opposed to USPS/UPS/New Jersey Lawyer Service.  My boss (who was a partner) hated New Jersey Lawyer Service as their delivery rate was not up to par for him.  Sending documents to Courts and Plaintiff's law firms were crucial.  The only delay with delivery was possibly due to weather conditions (mostly snow), but there was always on time delivery for the Court(s) and to Plaintiff's offices.  

So if you prefer USPS, then you should shop and/or buy from Seller's that offer the shipper you desire, which is USPS. 

[yuzuha]

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@rixstuff wrote:

I have had nothign but problems with UPS and wont use them.  They only work in our neighborhood M-F 9-5 which wouldnt be a problem except everybody in our neighborhood WORKS during the day so nobody is home to sign for packages.  The nearest center is 20 minutes away and again, they are only open 9-5.  So stay home to sign or take off from work to pick it up. I have found few things that cant be sent through USPS - Priority or First Class or International - something will work.

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Can't you choose to waive the signature requirement?  My father gets things shipped via UPS all the time and never once have I or anyone else had to sign for it.

[deadite2112]

All.....what i'm saying is half the time I find UPS is used and then handed over to USPS near me......whats the point? It takes longer, and yes it does cost more!!! As far as being given an option for shipping......not so much. Just keep in mind that as a seller the buyers satisfaction should be top priority.....not saving a quarter here and there.

[beautybylynn]

IMHO, nothing and I say nothing, nada, zilch ,zippo beats usps priorty mail. I have been shipping items for over 20 years (1000's of packages) and never had a priority package go missing. And if it is damaged, their insurance always pays fast. Besides they only have it for 2 or 3 days, how much can they damage it? Free boxes and pickup sure does save time, and time is money

[mrmantei]

Why don't the sellers post who they use for shipping I know some do, I've had one carrier and it's not

ups,fedx ,or usps that 4 out of 4 they can't find my address so the seller gets stuck for the bill, most of the stuff I order is usps shippable, so if shipper is not listed I won't be buying from them.

[postingid2017]

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@deadite2112 wrote:

All.....what i'm saying is half the time I find UPS is used and then handed over to USPS near me......whats the point? It takes longer, and yes it does cost more!!! As far as being given an option for shipping......not so much. Just keep in mind that as a seller the buyers satisfaction should be top priority.....not saving a quarter here and there.

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If I use FedEx, it is FedEx all the way - I do not use UPS because there is not a depot or drop off area close to me.  If I have UPS pick up the package, there is a fee for that, which I would have to pass on to the buyer should the buyer want UPS ONLY.   I never use FedEx Smart Post and I had to pay a higher fee for the use of UPS due to the buyer requesting it - never again.  

[deadite2112]

USPS, UPS, FedEx,........if a seller has lax and lethargic selling practices it does not matter how they ship!!!! When i sell anything, its extra packing, and USPS first class or priority shipping to ensure that the buyer gets his item safe, secure, and as fast as i can get it to them. I work 60+ hours a week, so the whole to busy to ensure fast and safe deliveries by an individual is an excuse i cannot abide......old fashion values, something that I really miss in today's "microwave" society.

[deadite2112]

In reality FedEx and UPS being used to deliver to the USPS is ridiculous!!!! I had an item travel 120 miles throughout the St. Louis area with FedEx only to be delivered back to within 25 miles of the original site.....which by the way is 10 miles farther away from the Post Office than the original origin site.......I MEAN COME ON!!!! Sometimes just looking at the situation and using common sense makes all the difference....plus this whole incident and order was placed by a local seller less than 40 miles from my residence......no local pickup unfortunately.

[overtheedge1421]

I prefer using UPS over USPS mostly because the tracking information with UPS is way more reliable and accurate.   Occasionally with my usps shipments, tracking will often be 1 or 2 days behind with very little information shown.

I have had delayed shipments with both usps and ups. With UPS, the tracking will often say why it's delayed. with usps it simply says in transit to destination. Not a lot of comfort to a buyer who is getting upset that their package hasn't shown up yet and the only update being shown is that it left the orgin post office

With all that said, UPS most of the time is way too expensive to use. So i am usually forced to use the post office If I ever want to make sales