posted on January 7, 2003 01:58:49 PM new
I realize I could just call UPS and get the information I need, but I thought I'd try here first. I mail about 5 packages a day through UPS on average. I don't have daily pickup because my husband had daily pickup at his job so we would just do the online slip and he'd take it to work. Well, now they say he can't do that anymore (I don't know why, they didn't give him a good reason). I don't necessarily want to pay for daily pickup, but depending on the cost I will consider it. My question is: a few weeks ago a buyer wanted me to use his UPS account number because he says he gets such a large discount because of the volume he does. How much volume do I need to do and how much of a discount is there? I already have an account number, and I don't think I get a discount...maybe I do???
posted on January 7, 2003 02:20:28 PM new
I do not have a business account with ups, however be very careful about using someone else's ups#.
If your going to do this be sure your name and address is no where on the shipping slip, parcel as you can be held liable for shipping cost if they dispute or refuse the parcel.[ refusal means two way shipping charges]
Make sure that you are not put down as the shipper!
I only did this once and got burned when their number was no longer valid, good thing it was only $10.00 and not more.
I will never do this again for anyone come hell or high water! Best to make them pay you for shipping up front.
posted on January 7, 2003 03:18:53 PM new
We have a UPS account & I LOVE IT!!!
We had to ship a dress USPS today at buyers request. It cost $17.67, with UPS it would have cost $8.43. Big difference, No lines...
posted on January 7, 2003 03:47:48 PM new
I started using mine last month and have seen a nice decrease in shipping costs. I just hope I dont get any SURPRISE invoices, bills or anything else in the mail from UPS. Been there with FedEx ... hope not to go there with UPS>
posted on January 7, 2003 03:49:46 PM new
According to the latest UPS rate and service guide the daily pickup costs are as follows:
The weekly charge for daily pickup is based on your weekly billin total.
$0-14.99......$16.00
$15-59.99.....$11.00
$60. or more..$ 7.00
It is probably cheaper to have a daily pickup rather than going to the P.O., if you are shipping 5 packages a day.
Are you familiar with the frequent shipper option UPS offers? They have a good description of it on their web site.
If you call the 800 number they are friendly and helpful, and will give you a lot of great information to help you make a decision that will work for you.
posted on January 7, 2003 03:53:40 PM new
I have a business account with no daily pick-up necessary. As the driver goes by, I just hail him and he stops. If there's nothing to ship, he goes on by. He also delivers when we have packages, if there's a pick-up, he takes it. Weekly invoices, well detailed, free supplies, no pick-up fee. I think it's a new (past six months) program. Savings have been tremendous and will continue even with the increase in fees. BTW - Under 2# it's still better with USPS.
posted on January 7, 2003 03:58:26 PM new
I probably do $60.00 a day - I could definately do that a week. I will look in to the frequent shipper option too. The UPS station is only 5 miles away, but that's a 10 mile round trip, and figure in time and all of that I'm sure it will be worth it. We also used to put a Red Plate in our front window for the regular UPS lady and she would know that it's her cue to stop, but she's always on vacation and since we weren't paying for regular pick up none of the other drivers knew our signal. I'll look into the frequent shipper thing. I use USPS for the lighter things, but we still do a lot of heavier items.
[ edited by ihula on Jan 7, 2003 05:23 PM ]
posted on January 7, 2003 09:57:34 PM new
I love my UPS daily pickup service. I agree that less than 2 pounds use USPS, but you also have to consider the item and if it needs insurance. If the customer wants the item insured you sometimes come out cheaper overall compared to USPS. You do get a break on shipping fees compared to other UPS users. You also have to consider those shipping goals. That small package counts to your shipping goal. It might cost $1 more than USPS but it saves you $4-5 if it puts you at another shipping level for the week.
Another plus is the UPS Worldship program. This is the best part. It allows you to do all your shipping labels and send tracking # emails to your customer using a program installed on your computer. Then you bulk upload them at the end of the day with the click of a button. A much, MUCH, faster way to process a package compared to the online version. Great program. Check with your local driver or call the 1-800 # for your local UPS reps phone #. My local driver called the rep for my area, the rep then called the next day and set my account up for daily pickup (I already had a UPS account for using online shipping) and overnighted the Worldhship program CD. If I ever have a problem or question, I can call her directly and don't have to bother with the 1-800 customer service people.
I was curious and put some #'s to test. Using the UPS Rates on their web site, a 5 pound package being sent from 29340 using customer counter drop off to 93006 (east coast to west coast) measuring 10x10x10 and residential delivery cost 9.82. The same numbers using my Worldship program give a total of 7.24. (You still have to factor in your weekly daily pickup fee, but it will vary according to your # of packages shipped that week. 25 packages / $7.00 is only $.28)
Overall, I am quite pleased. Using Endica for USPS shipping and UPS Worldship has really decreased the time spent processing orders.
posted on January 7, 2003 10:27:51 PM newLong, but my experience with UPS
I have had a UPS Worldship account for 14 months. I sell heavy cast iron products so I no longer use the post office. Everything is shipped by UPS.
I have never paid over the $7.00 weekly charge. I ship five days a week and have only missed shipping approximately 7 times during the last 14 months.
What a Godsend UPS has been for me. I no longer have to make a daily 10 mile round trip to the post office and stand in line, nor do I have to handle my packages twice. The savings in gasoline alone is worth more than the $7.00 weekly charge.
I now set my packages in a sheltered area in front of my home and the packages are picked up around 2:00 PM Monday thru Friday.
Once a week I get a statement in the mail and to date it has always been accurate. I can call UPS support 7/24 and always get a real live, knowledgeable and friendly person to help with any problems I may have. Not once have I called and had to listen to elevator music or wait for someone to help me.
Filing a claim for damaged items or missing packages is a snap. Call in the information wait for the paperwork and fax or mail it back to UPS and wait for the check in the mail along with shipping cost. If the cost is under $100.00 they seldom question a claim. I've had one claim for under $20.00 denied since I started using them.
Another plus is labels are free and delivered within two days of a phone call. Insurance is also free up to $100 in value as well as package tracking.
The day your packages are shipped UPS sends an email to the customer with the tracking number, a link to the UPS site and other pertinent information.
It just don't get any better Try it, you'll like it!!!
posted on January 9, 2003 06:42:44 AM new
Ihula they want to know the xact rate. They don't trust the rate charged. I did it once. Getting a HUGE discount???. I will never do that again. It was a real pain. You can drop a ups off anywhere! Flag down a driver anyplace, anytime. They want the money! You can also get the ups label from your pay pal acct.
UPDATE: Interesting, I just popped up the ups chart. They have a new format. See what you come up with using the different methods. Using an account is cheaper than a drop off to a driver.
Whhhhhhiiiiiiip It,,,,,,Whip it GOOD!
[ edited by FETISH128 on Jan 9, 2003 07:58 AM ]
posted on January 9, 2003 09:59:12 AM new
I have a UPS Daily Pickup account. I charge my customers the UPS charge listed under "Customer Counter", which is the rate you would pay if you handed your package to a driver or took it to a UPS counter. BUT my daily pickup charge is actually a couple of dollers LESS - which ends up paying the weekly fee for daily pickup services. (Beats having to add a handling charge). Anything 3#'s and under, I charge my customers the cheaper, daily pickup rate which is more competitive with USPS prices - that way I can still ship the smaller item using UPS and have the benefit of the free insurance coverage.
posted on January 9, 2003 02:17:50 PM new
Well, I finally got through to UPS over the phone. Apparently my account was marked as an "occasional" account so they are going to upgrade me to a "business" account and set me up for daily pick-up. They're also going to send me the World ship software. Maybe there will be a difference in rates. All a know is this week (maybe it's been since the beginning of the year and I just haven't noticed) rates have seemed to go up. The same items I was shipping last year to the same parts of the country are costing me $2.00- $3.00 more. I used to make a dollar or two on shipping and now I'm losing money! I have made a few insurance claims through them lately, so maybe they keep track of that - I don't know.
posted on January 10, 2003 11:33:08 PM new
Monday January 6th rates went up for us Internet Package shippers with UPS. The rate like the last post said increased about $2 per package. I spoke at length with a fairly knowledgable rep today on the subject and he said the reason they increased by $2 per package was there were a lot of people using this discounted "daily pickup" rate that were flagging down the driver, and having them come everyday to their location, but not paying for daily service. This discounted rate was intended for people to take their packages to the customer counter and drop them off after printing the label and paying for it online, or through your UPS Account. This was intended to stop that from happening. However he said if you ship $100 or more a week, they could set you back up with the better rates on an individual basis. Hmmm. I switched over to FED-EX Ground in the mean time while they figure out a way to get me down to the better rates. The cost is $2.00 less, or the price I used to pay UPS. They have better options on their Internet Shipping. Their prices have been excellent. I liked UPS, but after being put in a categery of people they are trying to run off, I think I am ready to go.
posted on January 11, 2003 12:05:28 AM new
I think that is funny that people consider it a discount to get the fees they add on taken back off if they spend enough. That is just another reason to use FedEx instead. At least they don't do stuff like that.
I went to lookup a price on the UPS website the other day and it has a whole bunch of stupid options for how you pay and what you do with it. All with different prices.
On the FedEx they just give a rate and that is what they charge. It doesen't matter if you give it to a driver passing by or take it in or whatever.
