posted on August 29, 2000 07:28:45 AM new
Just thought I'd let all of you know that FedEx ground is much cheaper than UPS ground...in some cases even cheaper than priority mail! The thing that sucks though you have to get to a FedEx service center to do ground, they don't pickup unless you have an account with them.
Just for comparison: I shipped a 9 lb package from NYC to upstate NY today.
Fedex Ground: 4.26$
UPS Ground: 6.53$
Priority: Who would use it for such heavy stuff!!?
posted on August 29, 2000 08:13:15 AM new
What makes Fedex Ground (RPS Ground) great is the fact that they will drop off your packages on porches and in front of people's doors without knocking or ringing the bell.
Anyone passing by can just pick up the package and walk off with with. Trust me I know from experience, TWO RPS/FEDEX Ground packages were stolen in front of my house because RPS is too lazy to re-deliver if someone is not home. BEWARE. you may save a dollar here and there but when you lose a $400.00 item who cares about the savings!!! Claim has been filed 3 MONTHS ago and still no money, I had to re-fax them four times because every time you call the claim dept they say "we have no record of your claim".
posted on August 29, 2000 09:07:22 AM new
Wow! I ran some "test" shipments through their rate-finder and was pleasantly surprised! Finally, someone is giving USPS some real competition.
I just discovered a Fed-ex center at our local Kinkos, only about a mile further than the P.O. so this will now become an option for the occasional heavy item I sell.
And I agree, all of the carriers leave stuff at my door... actually USPS is the most guilty of this.
posted on August 29, 2000 09:19:14 AM new
May be an isolated incident but I did not have a good experience with Fedex Ground. I ordered from a dealer in Iowa which was actually shipped from Boston. The shipper used the Iowa address. They were contacted to have Fedex Ground change it. They managed to change the street address but not the city. So it sat in Cedar Rapids for 3 days before I got worried and called. They changed the address and said it would be delivered in 3 days. 4 days later I called again. At that time they had no clue where it was. 12 hours later they found it in Orlando FL. Then it took a week to get to Rochester MN which was the original destination.
May be cheaper but I've never had anything like that happen with UPS!
----
Bill
posted on September 1, 2000 07:39:46 AM new
After liking the rates quoted on the FedEx site I decided to give it a go.
I shipped a 5 lb. package using FedEx.
USPS would have cost $6.50 plus an additional 40 cents for insurance (i use U-Pic). USPS insurance would have been $1.80 extra. For those of you who believe in DC, add another 35 cents.
The FedEx website quoted $5.43, with a delivery time of 5 days. Insured by FedEx for up to $100 and on-line/800 phone tracking included.
Actual cost was $5.50 (close enough, but why the difference?). This was a 5lb. package, but the savings definitely increase as the weight goes up.
I shipped this on 8/29 (tuesday) and expected delivery on or around 9/4 (monday). In fact the clerk even told me it would arrive by Monday. Checking the tracking number this morning it shows that the package was scanned for the first time since it was accepted, and its only gone about 50 miles! And, it shows an estimated delivery date of 9/7 (Thursday) !!
If it gets there safely I'll be satisfied, but I'll know in the future to warn my buyers that it's on the slow boat.
posted on September 1, 2000 09:03:07 AM new
PACKAGES LEFT WITHOUT SOMEONE HOME! You can easily rectify this problem, at least with UPS. We have a UPS account, and when we ship a valuable piece, we ship it "Signature Required." That takes care of the problem.
ALSO, items shipped UPS, the insurance is cheap, and if you insure for over $1,000, etc., your packages receive a VERY different type of treatment.
IF you do very much UPS shipping, it is well worth the effort to open an account and have a daily pick up.
The cost of insurance on items over $50, quickly makes UPS cheaper than the USPS.
