UPS or USPS? How do you decide? I usually ship via UPS, have an account with them and it's soooo much easier to ship via them than the post office. Here's my problem. When I listed my auctions and stated that I shipped via UPS and set the shipping rate of $4.50, I received only a few bids. The winning bidders emailed me and stated that the item was too small to send via UPS and they wanted to pay for 1st class postage.
Can you give me some feedback here.....How do you ship? I do not like the idea of standing in line at the post office to pay for insurance...it's not on my top 10 list.
posted on January 12, 2003 06:54:53 PM new
Postal lines are the pits. In a few instances there is a GREAT alternative. Ask at you local post office if there is a licensed satelitte location near you.
Where I am located there is an official Postal desk at the local Hallmark store. All the advantages of the post office without the lines since it'sonly well known by the employees in local highrises. As long as I don't go in at lunch hour I never have to stand in line. They have all of the services that the main station has (except no international mail over 11 oz), same prices (no MBE type mark-ups) and a friendly staff.
posted on January 12, 2003 07:06:56 PM new
Use Endicia and then you can just drop them off at the post office, or just tell them too bad and only ship by UPS.
posted on January 12, 2003 07:21:56 PM new
i have been using a usps contract station and i understand they are paid by usps and not supposed to charge us extra,but not so.
that jerk is dishonest,he has a scale behind and under the counter which we cannot see,and it always weigh more than my scale,and only give me a receipt when i ask for ,and it is not itemised.
one day i challenged him when he told me it is 37 ,he backed down to 29 which i think is still too high.
i reported that sob for outrageous price gourging and he should be out on the street in no time.
of course if you use endicia or pitney bowes system,you have no problem.
he is greedy to the nth degree,like i have a global prioirty mail envelope for 9 dollars,he will look up and tell me it is 15,now thats a very nice markup.
if you dont want to use endicia or pitney bowes and pay monthly,invest in an electronic postage scale and buy tons of stamps from one penny to 3.85 ones and slap them on before you go to a contract station.
does anyone know what is the penalty for a contract station to cheat??
posted on January 12, 2003 07:34:40 PM new
That's got to be annoying. I'm lucky, the one I go to has two of the nicest people you could hope for. You should check with your main office about reporting them, I'm sure they could help.
posted on January 12, 2003 07:43:06 PM new
The only other alternative to the post office that I have is PostNet. They are a deadly. I reported them to the post office for selling stamps for more than the face value. The post office said, "it's a surcharge" they can do it.
All my bidders seem to like USPS and don't want to pay the high postage for UPS. My hubby and I were discussing that the USPS can't be all that bad for loosing package, since major companies send via them. QVC for example sends items through them. I have never seen a package from them with an insurance stamp on it.
posted on January 12, 2003 08:21:13 PM new
I use both. If you are selling both small and large items I do not think you can do just one or the other. I use endicia for my postage. USPS is quite a bit cheaper for items under 13 oz, and Media items. Also another thing to look at is a lot of items ship to rural address which is like a $3.00 surcharge with UPS. On some addresses a 3 lb Parcel post is a lot cheaper USPS than UPS. Other 3lb packages I ship UPS. Now when you get to 10 to 15 lb packages UPS is much cheaper.
Since I sell all items with flat rate shipping I do what ever I can to expand my profits through cheaper shipping methods. When people charge actual shipping they have no motive to package items smartly to save on shipping costs.
posted on January 12, 2003 09:19:44 PM new
I also use both USPS and Fedex. I probably would have pretty much quit using USPS if it wasn't for Endicia.
If you have a label printer for printing the UPS labels, it will work with Endicia. It is far superior to printing on paper or sheet labels with a laser printer.
It is only $10 per month which is really nothing compared to the time it saves. It only take 10-15 seconds per package.
When I signed up I was planning on just using the 30 day free trial and canceling but after using it one day there is no way I would give it up.
posted on January 13, 2003 02:36:10 AM new
you may want to ask about busy times at your local USPS too. there are certain times during the day when you would not have a line at the PO. I know in our main post office, i avoid 1st thing in the morning and right after lunch hour....that is when most businesses are there getting and sending large amounts of packages and mail.
I use UPS for larger or heavier packages but still use the USPS for most items.
posted on January 13, 2003 03:43:37 AM new
Has anyone used Staples for their UPS shipments? I asked the other day when I saw their banners. They claim there is no surcharge - they have same rates as UPS. I have been using USPS almost exclusively because the closest UPS facility is a few towns over from where I live. When I add my time & travel to the equation I figured USPS was better for me. If Staples is really charging UPS rates then I can start using UPS too.
You can always try the insurance u-pic.com. That way you won't have to stand in line at the PO, and you can just drop it in a box somewhere. Good Luck!
posted on January 13, 2003 07:12:59 AM new
commercial mail service such as mail box etc can mark up usps shipping cost and it is totally legitimate.but not a usps contract station,they get paid by the post office.in fact they should behave just like the post office.can u imagine if at a regular post office ,the clerk marks up the postage to make money for that branch??
i look at endicia,if i understand what they are selling,it is a scale and a printer hooked up to your pc and for a monthly fee ,you print the shippping label with postage and free dc.
i have heard good thing about endicia,but that initial outlay is like 350 dollars and then the labels you need to buy??
if you live close to a real usps branch,then find best time to go ,it is still the cheapest,and most packages do arrive undamaged.
i tried fed exp,it lies to me about free pick up,it is 11 dollars per week for ground,and then there are residential delivery charge and fuel charge,they will nickel and dime you to death,soon your ground package costs easily 8-9 dollars.
posted on January 13, 2003 10:06:37 AM new
Thank you all for your input. It really helps out a lot.
Our small town post office is busy all day long. There is no slow time at this post office. I'm lucky there is 1 or 2 clerks working during the day. Most of the time the wait is 15-30min in line. Sometimes longer.
posted on January 13, 2003 10:56:34 PM new
[i]i look at endicia,if i understand what they are selling,it is a scale and a printer hooked up to your pc and for a monthly fee ,you print the shippping label with postage and free dc.
i have heard good thing about endicia,but that initial outlay is like 350 dollars and then the labels you need to buy??[/i]
You don't have to buy anything from them. The only fee you have to pay is the $10 monthly fee. I use a digital scale that I bought off ebay for $15 and it matches the scale at the post office exactly.
i tried fed exp,it lies to me about free pick up,it is 11 dollars per week for ground,and then there are residential delivery charge and fuel charge,they will nickel and dime you to death,soon your ground package costs easily 8-9 dollars.
I have used fedex for many hundred packages and never had any problem. I use the quickship software and gives a quote for every package that is within $.10 of what they charge. They have the exact same surcharges as UPS including the pickup fees but they don't charge extra to drop off packages like UPS does. On a package that costs $9 by fedex ground it will cost almost double for USPS priority.
You probably had your account representative tell you the pickup was free. Never believe what they say, they are the salespersons and are as bad as car dealers. The price for everything is listed on there website and is correct.
[ edited by sapington on Jan 13, 2003 11:04 PM ]
posted on January 13, 2003 11:16:11 PM new
I've always wondered about using Endicia.
Many people say they just set the packages on the counter and leave when they use this service.
Let me ask if I may. What would stop a person from, lets say, putting a 2 pound brick on the scale and printing the label for a five pound item? I have always wondered what the safeguards are against doing this? I know this would be considered fraud, but what stops a person from doing this.
posted on January 14, 2003 04:29:25 AM new
I use USPS Priority mail and print the label and postage off from my computer (with free Delivery Confirmation) Then, I only need to drop it in a box or off at the counter. Of course, you cannot do this if the buyer wants insurance. However, the clerk at my post office said that USPS is working on customers being able to purchase the insurance online as well. Oh, happy day!! If I have 20 items to mail, sure as all get out one of them will want insurance! I've had bad experiences as a bidder with UPS (in one week everything I bought arrived broken) and FedX so I won't use them. Fortunately, I don't sell large items and haven't had to worry about it. Good advice here, though!
I've used ENDICIA.COM for the past 2 years & love it!
Your question about the brick scenario has me confused -- could you re-phrase it please??
Some notes:
ENDICIA's DAZZLE SOFTWARE works with just about any ink-jet or laser printer!!
DAZZLE has oooodles of helpful goodies included in it!!
You can print on just about any paper -- although the USPS standards does insist on adhesive labels. Before I bought my DYMO LW 300, I was buying my labels ~2UP 8.5"X11"~ from GF LABEL -- dirt cheap!
ENDICIA provides GREAT CS!! Informative & friendly!!
posted on January 14, 2003 06:58:18 AM new
if you go to the endicia site,it shows the printer and the scale for around 350,thats what stall me ,
you say if you get your own digital scale adn use its software on line ,you can print your own label??do you print it on your laser printer??
i am not the only one who complains about fed exp sales personnel,they tarnish the fed exp image,or may be this is THE IMAGE for fed exp.anyway,i dont like them and i wont use them anymore.
good old usps is just as good for my purpose.now if they only keep an eye on their contract station .
can someone give me the brand name of the digital scale used for postage??
posted on January 14, 2003 08:04:29 AM new
If I'm also understanding the Endicia site, you can not print 1st class mail on labels. I looked at Stamps.com and they seem to do more, but everyone is using Endicia. Hum...........
As far a the weight on a package..I know on UPS, if a lower amount than what the package weighs, you will get the package back on your door! Now the drivers tell me that they usually don't do anything about a pound differance, but if you are over that, they will send it back to shipper!
I have been thinking of looking into Fed-X. I think I'm going to call for a rep, instead of just going through the website. The reps can work deals.
posted on January 14, 2003 08:47:15 AM new
I have been thinking of looking into Fed-X. I think I'm going to call for a rep, instead of just going through the website. The reps can work deals.
/////////////////////////
MAKE SURE THE DEALS STICK!!
HAVE IT TAPERECORDED.
posted on January 14, 2003 08:49:13 AM new
usps for a fee will come and pick up the usps priority packages,and if you have some which are first class along with the priority ones,they dont mind.
the only problem is insurance.
posted on January 14, 2003 08:57:42 AM new
Yes, you are correct the Post Office will come and pick up the packages but, I believe it is a $12.00 charge! and they do not accept insurance. I was once told by a carrier that the carriers in the vehicles carry insurance stamps and will fill out the paperwork. But I don't know.....never tried it.
With Fed-X....if you have a driver that delivers to you, ask them. They get comission for signing up accounts!!!!!
posted on January 14, 2003 09:09:47 AM new
i use both UPS and USPS, but lately I have leaned more towards USPS since I have been selling smaller items and dropshipping larger items. Also I have found that shipping Internationaly is much easier with the post office than with UPS or FEDEX.
I do have a question for those of you who use Endicia, Do you drop your shipments off at the post office or have regular carrier take them? If you drop off, do you still have to stand in line? I work from my house and dont know if the regular carrier will take large pick-ups.
posted on January 14, 2003 09:11:21 AM new
I use endicia and have talked my postal worker into stopping by our house and picking up my daily packages. FOR FREE. She loves to do it and says that the PO has told carriers that they have to start providing these services or they will be losing money to the other guys. It never hurts to ask.....
posted on January 14, 2003 09:13:03 AM new
I LOVE THE POST OFFICE--
I mail a bunch and have been for over 6 years. I mail mostly books and records- Here is the story from that perspective.
Books and records go media mail and I have been using the post office 2X a week and stand in line personally to ship my stuff.
The personnel all know me and I know who is fast and who likes to dawdle. The inherent problems with media mail are these: 1) There are times when bound printed matter rate is less than media mail, no service that you can use at home will have that information. 2) There are size limitation problems, sometimes this is a package, sometimes a large package (multiple items). 3) Overseas shipping- regular surface or air, parcel post, insurance, M-bag-- many choices.
I stay with the post office for these reasons: 1) I have to take the time to do the postage one way or another- in my office or at the post office. 2)I would much rather have someone nice and competent figuring the rates for me and giving the correct figures and the cheapest form of mailing, down to the penny. 3) Insurance is never a problem. 4) Size is never a problem. 5) They ship everywhere in the world with no surcharges for anything. 5)The rates are far cheaper than any other method consistently 6)I can go on Saturday instead of taking time during my work week. 6)I have no upfront costs for equipment or worries about something going down down. 7)I need to go to the PO Box to pick up my mail anyway. 8) I put all the fees on my Discover card- send the check out for it the same day, AND receive a rebate from Discover on the fees that I pay. I LOVE THE POST OFFICE--
posted on January 14, 2003 10:35:21 AM newLet me ask if I may. What would stop a person from, lets say, putting a 2 pound brick on the scale and printing the label for a five pound item? I have always wondered what the safeguards are against doing this? I know this would be considered fraud, but what stops a person from doing this.
They aren't that stupid, they verify the postage just like if you use stamps. If you print a label for 2Lbs then put it on a 5Lb package they will either return it or deliver it with postage due.
If I'm also understanding the Endicia site, you can not print 1st class mail on labels. I looked at Stamps.com and they seem to do more, but everyone is using Endicia. Hum...........
Yes you can print first class on labels. I do it all the time. I think what you were seeing is that usps only allows a certain kind of label on normal envelopes.
If you use the usps website to print labels with postage more than a couple times a day I think once you try indicia you won't go back. I can't stand that java program it uses.(my computer can't either and likes to crash when using it)
Another nice thing about endicia is that you can print on just about any size of label. I was using 4 labels/sheet (4-1/4 x 5-1/2) and everything fit fine.
There is no need to have a scale connected to your computer, you can just weigh it then select the weight so any scale will work.
posted on January 14, 2003 10:57:42 AM new
Just for your information......
If you have a UPS Account number and ship via the internet, you can get labels free.
I get 8.5x11 sheets that have two labels per page. These labels work for both UPS and printing the Priority Mail labels from USPS. Both waste one side of the label for the directions on how to place it. But the labels are free if you have a UPS account. Here is the product number: 01774501 Label-UPS on Line
