posted on July 9, 2002 11:44:43 AM new
I just came back from shipping 2 boxes by FedEx Ground. I had weighrd each pkg. & checked the Zone before I gave the buyer the shipping charges. I included $1.10 for home delivery & $1.00 for the cost of the box. One box went to Zone 8, weighed 4 lbs., my calculation was $7.69. FedEx charged me $8.97. The other box weighed 3 lbs. & went to Zone 3. My calculation was $5.87. FedEx charged $6.97. The reason? A $2.00 Signature Fee on premium service. This is built in on their computer. Couldn't get it changed. I could have shipped the Zone 3 box by Priority Mail for $4.75 using a free box!
[ edited by sanmar on Jul 9, 2002 11:50 AM ]
posted on July 9, 2002 12:18:20 PM new
I received a Fed Ex package yesterday and the drive just handed it to me. Is a signature required on all packages?
posted on July 9, 2002 01:52:17 PM new
mrfoxy76; I have to disagree with you. I never had a single problem in 4 yrs. with Priority Mail. Every single package was delivered within 4 days, most in 3 days, never a lost pkg & a rare damaged one, maybe 1 a year.
posted on July 9, 2002 04:58:32 PM new
The new USPS rates hurt! We switched to our new shipping & handling rates 2 weeks prior to the rate change but We are still mailing packages that we charged the old rates because of late payers. We ate a bit on shipping the last couple of times we've mailed.
I really want to switch to Fedex but I'm waiting till they standardize the rates. If they charge different rates at their drop off points then are quoted on their web site, it's not worth the hassle.
posted on July 9, 2002 05:33:57 PM new
I noticed a surprise charge today too on fedex of about $1.50. May have been a measurement cost. Had a new lady so I'm wondering what she may have done.
posted on July 9, 2002 05:54:11 PM new
Should FedEx & UPS be raising their rates soon? Seems like their rate hikes come soon after the Post Offices .....
posted on July 9, 2002 06:20:55 PM new
feistyone: FedEx rates are standarized. You are paying a premium for going to a drop off point who is charging you a handling fee. If you go to Fedex.com, you can get a copy of their rates. But,you have to go to a fedex center, not a contract center such as mailboxes etc.
posted on July 9, 2002 06:44:47 PM new
I am seeing more deliveries from the Big Guys arrive by FedEx. I am not referring to eBay purchases, but to corporate America. For example, today FedEx delivered my reorder of business checks, when prior orders always arrived by USPS. Last week a clothing catalog order arrived by FedEx and that company used to ship USPS also. I think this is an indication that FedEx is grabbing a larger percentage of the market share, which means USPS will react again with higher rates or charging for Priority Mail supplies.
When USPS did the big two-week national count back in March, the result was that the decrease in the total volume of USPS mail was bigger than anyone thought. My rural carrier had his pay reduced so much he had to go back to delivering mail 6 days a week, and he is still earning only 75% of what he made before the national count. The lady who delivered the mail on Saturdays and my carrier's sick/vacation days had to go find another job.
posted on July 9, 2002 07:27:16 PM new
quickdraw29, were you referring to my post? My deliveries were FedEx with FedEx shipping labels, no reference to USPS anywhere on the boxes.
When the Big Guys switch carriers, I imagine there is a cost involved due to changing and adapting systems in their shipping departments, so it is a decision made with considered research and analysis. Perhaps the Big Guys don't think the USPS will have future viability and that is a factor that is given weight along with shipping costs and internal system costs.
posted on July 9, 2002 07:41:04 PM new
I opened a FedEx account on line a few months ago.
I put in the destination, weight, and measurements and it gives me the total delivery cost on the screen.
I charge it to my credit card, print a label, tape it to the box, drop it off at a FedEx Center (not a dropoff station), and have never had a problem at all.
I don't see how it could get any simpler!
I did read where FedEx rates are going to increase 5.6% (I think) near the end of this month. Big surprise.
posted on July 9, 2002 08:28:36 PM new
I recently started using Fed Ex and am going to switch all my boxes/packages to them. I have an account rep coming over on Friday to discuss my account.
Yesterday I shipped 11 boxes with Fed Ex... weighing anywhere from 3 pounds to 11 pounds and I didn't use my account number, just took them there and shipped Fed Ex Ground. I came home and compared the rates to what I would have paid with USPS Priority with tracking and insurance (as they are free with Fed Ex) and Priority rates averaged 258% higher. What a rip.
Glad I can get a deal going where they will pick up everyday. Trust me, boxes will be the best thing I invest in... and no more long lines at the POst office.
posted on July 10, 2002 08:36:59 AM new
I've tried Fed Ex Ground, UPS Ground, and USPS Parcel Post.
Almost without exception--and especially since USPS implemented the rate change rape--Fed Ex Ground is the cheapest by far. (UPS sucks in terms of rates, and Airborne is even worse.)
Plus, remember that Fed Ex Ground includes up to $100 insurance at no additional charge. UPS and USPS charge additional for insurance.
I'm not shilling for Fed Ex Ground. Just sharing my experiences.
As for Fed Ex Ground upcharges and such, you have to be careful when you go to the website and calculate S/H/I costs. There's a surcharge for residential delivery, and there are other charges for added services such as "signature required."
Now, all of that said, be aware that Fed Ex recently changed to a third-party billing service. Don't know who it is, but they don't have a clue about this stuff. I got several "odd" additional-charge billings...which I contested...and which Fed Ex ultimately credited back.
posted on July 10, 2002 01:46:19 PM new
the 5.6% rate increase mentioned above is for Fedex freight.
On another note is may interest everyone that due to the contract negotiations at UPS, Fedex has put a freeze on opening any new ground accounts. I could't believe I was told in essance they don't want my money!! I ship enough to make a billing account worthwhile and they have been my day employers shipper of choice.
If you bring the package to a center and pay there they will take it, when questioned the service rep also stated that if UPS goes on strike - they may refuse packages if you don't have an existing account!!!
Can you believe it-this is to save their tushies from being overwhelmed with stuff to ship!
Not a very proactive customer service policy!!!
posted on July 10, 2002 01:58:01 PM new
I think maybe you're getting some bad information.
I opened my account online. It's a "FedEx" account. When I'm ready to ship, then I pick which service I want to use (ground, express, etc). I've never heard of a "ground" account.
My recommendation is to go to www.fedex.com and see if you can open an account there.
I've done all my FedEx stuff online from the beginning. The only time I've ever spoken to a FedEx employee is when I say "Here ya go." when I drop off the packages.
posted on July 10, 2002 05:21:46 PM new
I have a question...I opened an account with fed ex but normally only use ground delivery. I see where you get the rates with the dimensions and the zip code but do not see anywhere on that page to put your account number or a place to have it charged to your credit card. Also, can you use the fedex boxes for ground or are they only for air? Thanks!!
posted on July 11, 2002 12:56:35 AM new
We've had an account with UPS for years, seldom a problem and we are very satisfied.
I considered FedEx - but they don't go everywhere, and I don't have the time to mess with 3 modes of shipping - we have a large business in knives which usually ship 1 pound to 2 pounds, and we ship those all priority/U-Pic Insured - with FREE Delivery Confirmation - all purchased and printed via Endicia - and we love it.
We also handle many large items, and all of those, anything over 3 pounds goes UPS.
Till FedEx goes everywhere UPS does, they won't have my business - UPS is just too easy to use - they pick up everyday - free insurance, and on line tracking just like DC.
posted on July 11, 2002 01:00:29 AM new
Just started using them so someone with more experience welcome to hop in and correct me--FedEx boxes are only for Express, don't try using them for Ground. As for billing, you don't get charged until package is actually mailed. They sign my book at the Ground drop off center and can't tell me what the cost is. I don't like that part. When I didn't have an acct they could tell me the price, now they say, 'Price?' like they don't know what I'm talking about. (Of course I know what I think the price should be due to checking on-line ahead of time, but that doesn't mean I did it right.) I hope I get an itemized statement each month and not just one fee for FedEx tacked onto my credit card.
posted on July 11, 2002 06:56:08 AM new
If you have a Fed Ex account, I believe you can go to the Fed Ex website and get activity information on your account. I've never tried it, but I recall hearing/reading about something like that.
As for those who caution against using Fed Express boxes for Fed Ex Ground shipments, it's true that you can't use those boxes "as is" for Fed Ex Ground.
But I use 'em all the time. I simply wrap the box in brown shipping paper. Works just fine. (Actually, I wrap all of my packages this way. Makes for a nice clean presentation at recipient destination, and it helps avoid any possible "confusion" from miscellaneous stuff that might be printed on the box.)
posted on July 11, 2002 09:28:40 PM new
DocHllday,
You are mis-informed. UPS has free insurance coverage up to $100.00 as well and the rates are very much cheaper on item 4 lbs and higher than USPS and nearly the same as FEDEX ground. Personally, I use both USPS and UPS with great success. Just have to watch the weight and where it is being shipped for the best rates.
Thanks for the information. I will look for a fedex center and talk to them about it. I will either use them or not depending on the information they give me.
Bidsbids
At this point UPS and Fedex would do well to leave their rates right where they are. They could gain a large share of the market if they play it smart.
hotcupoftea
I think this is an indication that FedEx is grabbing a larger percentage of the market share, which means USPS will react again with higher rates or charging for Priority Mail supplies.
Now would that make any sense at all? You are losing market share because your competition is less expensive, so you raise your rates to make up for it, and lose more ground. If that is the case, the US Postal Service is run by idiots.
posted on July 12, 2002 06:52:54 AM new
Caffeitalia...
That I'm misinformed is quite possible. The breadth of my knowledge is exceeded only by the depth of my ignorance.
However, whenever I've tried to get rate quotes at the UPS site, I've noticed that the total cost is higher if I indicate an amount to be insured.
With Fed Ex Ground, if you enter a declared/insured value, Fed Ex assumes you're insuring for that value over and above the $100. Is this also the case with UPS?
One big problem I have with UPS is that there is no UPS Service Center near me. I have to go to Mail Boxes Etc. or somesuch, and those folks like to tack on their own service charge(s).
posted on July 13, 2002 05:15:27 AM new
Hughesdesign...Having been through the last UPS strike with my day job, I understnd why tFedEx is putting a hold on new accounts. Many companies use both carriers (UP, FedEx) depending on what they are shipping, where, and who is paying for it. When UPS went on strike, the increase in freight FedEx was trying to handle was so much, they were having major delays (and at the time, wasn't FedEx Ground still RPS?). Recently, because we've been well informed about this loomng strike, some companies are dropping UPS entirely. In addition, FedEx learned from last time and took a one week span the average number of packages each company sends out so they could make sure they had enough truck etc. This is also why there has been a spike in FedEx deliveries. Believe me, it's not that FedEx doesn't want your money, they just want to be able to serve the existing customers with the level of service they have come to expect. If they find they can handle the loads, they will begin adding new accounts.
And yes, you can ship in a Priority Mail Box. The post office isn't too keen on it but many prepacked their items before the rates changed and are possibly still weighing out which to use.
(Actually, I wrap all of my packages this way. Makes for a nice clean presentation at recipient destination, and it helps avoid any possible "confusion" from miscellaneous stuff that might be printed on the box.)