posted on September 3, 2003 01:05:59 PM new
Ok...Now that my earlier post on your thoughts on shipping flat rate or calculating have been answered on my previous post...here's another question..
I think that I would like to ship via UPS from 2 (or maybe 3) pounds and up.
I have set up an account with them, and can print postage just like I can with priority.
But unlike priority...besides the price difference, I don't need to stand in line at the post office if someone wants to insure the package. Most of my items will be breakable, and I like to have the insurance on them...(once I can get all the details done, and get my auctions up again)...
Now...I have the free boxes from USPS...cases and cases of them...I would need boxes for UPS, so my question...yes finally "the question"...is can I cut open the priority boxes, turn them inside out, and tape them up and use them for UPS?
I know you are not supposed to do that with USPS...although...if someone mailed me a package that was priority, does that not mean that I couldn't ever ship out something in that same box sometime?
If you get what I mean...we all recycle out boxes don't we?
Another thought would be in shoe boxes. I have collected hundreds of shoe boxes, (use them for various things), and can get all that I want of those.
Would be perfect size for some of my items. Has anyone used those with much success? Some look strong enough, some don't...just wondering.
Sorry for being long winded...well we are all full of hot air sometimes, are't we....
posted on September 3, 2003 02:00:50 PM new
When you say cases & cases of Priority Mail boxes, are they all the same size or various sizes? I ship a lot of things by FedEx Ground. Anything over 2 lbs. I buy boxes from ULine & charge $1.00 over the freight charge to cover the cost SH & I. Yeah, I have Priority Mail boxes, I'm not that cheap yet. My boxes costs are: 8x8x8 $031; 10x10x10 $.39; 12x12x12 $051; 14x14x14 $.79; frght runs about 10 cents a box.
[ edited by sanmar on Sep 3, 2003 02:01 PM ]
posted on September 3, 2003 02:44:21 PM new
I used to use UPS but found that fedex was usually cheaper and super nice in the Port Huron office. so I have just stuck with them. Fedex does not care what kind of box i.e. priority box but it must be corrugated -I doubt they would like the shoe box. you can do it all on line and just drop off.
also if you do your postage on line you should not have to stand in line. the local post office in port huron lets me back up to the dock and unload and a way i go licky de spilt....
posted on September 3, 2003 04:38:52 PM new
FedEx Ground would probably be $2.00 less per package if you do not have a daily pickup account with UPS, with a weekly service charge.
UPS tacked on this extra $2.00 per package earlier this year to keep down the shippers that gave boxes to drivers, but did not pay for daily pickup.
I had to switch to FedEx because of the $2.00 per package difference.
I generally ship USPS 2lb and under, and FED-EX Ground 3 pounds and over.
posted on September 3, 2003 09:32:37 PM new
Have you checked into getting boxes from UPS? I know they do provide them, but not sure if there is a charge or not.
I don't know where this $2 extra dollar charge came from. I don't get charged $2 extra dollars for anything. It is always cheaper than USPS for anything that needs insurance or any package above 3 pounds that don't. And with UPS, packages under $100 gets free insurance and all get free tracking.
posted on September 3, 2003 09:39:16 PM new
All the carriers (USPS, UPS, Fedex, Airborne Etc) have free boxes for AIR shipments.
UPS does sell boxes that can be used for anything but cost about the same as buying clean (don't say UPS on them) boxes from somewhere like Uline.
posted on September 3, 2003 09:42:09 PM new
Hi all,
I started using FedEx for stuff over two-three pounds when the PO went to zoned rates and jumped the cost for priority mail. I'm in California so lots of packages are going a long way.
Then it dawned on me if I used FedEx for anything over ONE pound, which I can send anyplace for $6.00 or less, insurance was included, whereas Priority Mail at $5.75 didn't include insurance. It would cost the buyer to insure their package.
So for the last few months I've been putting a flat rate shipping charge in my auctions. It's either first class for really lightweight items, priority for stuff over maybe 12 ounces packed weight and FedEx for everything else.
I've heard from several buyers that they liked the included insurance, as well as having a tracking number.
posted on September 3, 2003 09:54:29 PM new
The extra $2.00 comes from the difference in what they used to charge, as compared to what they charge now.
If you compare Fed-Ex Ground, and UPS rates, you should find about a $2.00 difference per package for non daily pickup rates. Unless your account manager was extra ice to you and put you in at daily pickup rate or you have daily pick up.
FedEx and UPS also charge around $1.50 extra for residential delivery which can change the cost differential between USPS and their services. So a two pound box going to a residence, would almost for sure be cheaper going USPS. Base charges may be similar.
posted on September 3, 2003 09:56:25 PM newThen it dawned on me if I used FedEx for anything over ONE pound, which I can send anyplace for $6.00 or less, insurance was included, whereas Priority Mail at $5.75 didn't include insurance. It would cost the buyer to insure their package.
That's inaccurate. Zip codes within your area are not at a set rate of $5.75 for PM over one pound. Enter a few zip codes that are not too far away in the shipping calculator and you'll see many quotes for much lower rates than $5.75 ( I just did 2 calculations for 1.5 pound packages and one was $4.55 and a very close zip code yielded the the one pound $3.95 price rate ) Packages over 2 pounds are a whole other ballgame though.
-------------- sig file ----------- He who angers you controls you
posted on September 3, 2003 10:08:20 PM new
Fedex and UPS charge $1.15 for residential and additional $1.75 if the residential address is in a rural area.
If you insure everything, They are cheaper than USPS priority for anything that isn't rural except for 1 Lb to zone 6,7 and 8.
If the item would be insured for over $50 then USPS priority is only cheaper if the address is rural.
I just wish that Speedee Delivery had a bigger area. They have a a lower base rate than UPS or Fedex and don't charge any extra for residential. http://www.speedeedelivery.com
posted on September 3, 2003 10:33:49 PM new
AuctionAce,
Gee, gosh, golly, oh my goodness, do you mean to tell me there really ARE zone-based cost differences for two-pound packages going priority mail??? It's not more 2-pounds - 2-days - 2-bucks any more???
After sending out over a thousand packages, I don't need to "enter" anything, I have the Domestic Mail Manual R100 First-Class and Priority Mail printed and it's in front of me right now.
I even know the cost for insurance goes up once the coverage hits $50.00. Imagine that????
HOWEVER, in the interests of keeping it simple, I use a flat shipping rate for anyone in the US, regardless of where they live. Since a 2-pounder going to Zone 8 is $5.75, that's the rate I would put in the auction, if I were going to use priority mail.
Sapington,
Two-pound FedEx Home Delivery to Zone 8 is base $4.65. Add in the $1.15 residential surcharge and the total is $5.80. Yes, occasionally there is a package going somewhere out in the boondocks and it's another dollar or so. Doesn't bother me. The ones going to a business or to a closer zone make up for the occasional ones where my quote is a little bit short.
posted on September 4, 2003 02:25:01 AM new
You can ship UPS in Priority boxes...when I go to the UPS depot here, there are more priority boxes than there are plain brown ones. They don't care what you ship it in, but they don't like duct tape, gums up there machinery.
posted on September 4, 2003 04:04:36 AM new
Fedex Ground is owned by private owners, not by Fedex. They're contractors who own their trucks and deliver for Fedex.
posted on September 4, 2003 05:00:45 AM newYou can ship UPS in Priority boxes..
Don't let the USPS hear you say that. This packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal Service and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.
I simply don't do it. Now, I'm not saying that others don't. I've had packages come with the Priority box turned inside out and I could care less about it. I've also heard of buyers turning sellers in to the PO for doing it. So, because my luck is not always the greatest, I only use Priority boxes for Priority mail.
I'm lucky in that I have everyone saving boxes of all sizes for me. I have a back room full of them. You can get boxes at the grocery stores, the dollar stores, etc. I just wouldn't chance having the PO on my backside.
Cheryl
The next time you think you're so perfect, try walking on water.
posted on September 4, 2003 10:16:51 AM newFedex Ground is owned by private owners, not by Fedex. They're contractors who own their trucks and deliver for Fedex.
Fedex Ground IS OWNED BY FEDEX. Just because they contract out for delivery doesen't have anything to do with the company's ownership.
About FedEx FedEx History
FedEx Ground
FedEx Ground began in 1985 as RPS (Roadway Package System), a division of Roadway Services, which became Caliber System Inc. in 1996.
RPS revolutionized the small-package ground shipping market. It was the first in the ground business to use bar coding and automated sorting, providing customers with relevant information about their packages. In 1993 RPS exceeded $1 billion in annual revenue, just nine years after its creation, to record the fastest growth of any ground transportation company. By 1996, it offered 100 percent coverage of North America.
Following the acquisition of the Caliber companies by FDX Corp. in 1998, RPS was officially rebranded FedEx Ground in January 2000. Later that year, the company launched FedEx Home Delivery, a business-to-consumer service designed to help catalog and online retailers meet the needs of the residential market with standard features such as evening and Saturday deliveries. In September 2002, FedEx Home Delivery completed its expansion and is now available nationwide, serving virtually every U.S. address.
Today, FedEx Ground is the only small-package ground carrier operating a network of automated facilities and ships 2.1 million packages every business day.
posted on September 4, 2003 10:34:01 AM new
Does everyone here who uses FEd ex take their packages to a FED Ex location or does Fed Ex come to you? If they come to you is there an extra charge for that and how dependable are they on what time they arrive?
I wonder because for me to take items to a FED Ex location would be about an hour round-trip. I'd like to give bidders lower shipping rates, but I can't see myself making that trip on a regular basis.
posted on September 4, 2003 10:40:32 AM new
I have them pick up.
They charge $7 per week or $11 if you have under $60 in shipping charges per week.
I just put the pile out on the porch and he comes and takes them away.
I don't know if it would be the same everywhere but my driver stops by on his regular delivery route. Usually 4:00 but sometimes 3:30 and as late as 5:00 depending on how many stops he has.
I am also about 5 miles out of his way unless he happens to have a delivery close by so that probably makes a difference too.
posted on September 4, 2003 11:27:51 AM new
I only use USPS for packages. i order the priority boxes on their toll free number and they send me what ever I want, I also use plain boxes in different sizes to fit odd items.
posted on September 4, 2003 12:29:39 PM new
Vickrose - That's what I do too. I probably keep doing it this way for now. But if I ever increase my volume significantly, I'll take another look at FED Ex.
posted on September 4, 2003 09:30:55 PM newFedEx and UPS also charge around $1.50 extra for residential delivery
This is really a worthless statement. It is already assumed that everything shipped is to a residential address and all posts reflect that.
If you assume everything is being delivered to a business, then UPS is cheaper for everything above 1 pound. And for closer destinations, cheaper at under a pound as well.
posted on September 5, 2003 01:41:19 PM new
stonecold; your statement is not always correct. I have an acct with FedEx Ground & use their rate charts. I have to add $1.15 to this for resdential deliveryTo show you the difference between FedEx & USPS. 2# pkg to Zone 8, FedEx $6.02 (including $1.15 res delivery) USPS $7.05 (including $1.30 for INS)The heavier the pkg, the wider the spread becomes.
posted on September 6, 2003 02:01:15 AM new
One thing I really don't like about Fedex is that they don't ring the doorbell. I ordered some electronics and the driver parks at the road runs it across the yard and leaves the package on the front porch and I didnt know it was there until the next morning when it was being rained on. The problem is that fedex ground are private contractors and they have to pay for thier own van and are in too much of a hurry. My UPS driver puts the packages under the overhang by the garage and if I leave the door open he will leave the packages inside the garage. He doesnt ring the doorbell either but he pulls into the driveway and I usually hear him. I'd rather pay more for UPS than Fedex anyday.
posted on September 6, 2003 07:24:08 AM new
I ship USPS, and UPS. Very little priority unless it is 13oz-1lb weight. Priority is fine for the small sellers, but it just is to expensive for what I am doing. I pay about $.25 each for my boxes, and .13 for DC. Priority costs me much more than the premium of $.38 per item. I ship whatever is cheapest. This is not always easy to determine. 2lbs to a Business UPS is very cheap, but the same 2 lbs to a rural resident is expensive with UPS, and much cheaper USPS Parcel Post.
I am amazed how many sellers use just one shiper for all there items. I have ordered items such as dishes that were shipped USPS for $17.00, and could have gone UPS for around $10.00. That is $7.00 additional that the seller could have put in there pocket. (I only paid $10 for the shipping).
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
