What's up with shipping costs?

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: surfstar
grampi - look into USPS next time. I find them easier and cheaper now, whereas I used to ship FedEx/UPS ground years ago.


The problem with the USPS are the post offices that are run by idiots, like the one in the town where I live.

Here's an example for you... the postmaster in the town where I live makes the decision as to what day that the price of stamps goes up... and it isn't the day that it is announced that they go up.

If you protest, he'll tell you to go pound sand. If you take your protest on up the chain, he'll claim that you're full of it.


Not only that, but on more than one occasion when retailers I purchased from online have sent me items via USPS they have listed the item as delivered when it wasn't. I've always been able to call the responsible USPS office and the item was still in the delivery vehicle...and their package tracking system is the worst in the business...

 

[HTSS_TR]

I don't like what I am going to say, but it is one of the many reasons that we can't compete with China.

I bought some flashlights the last few months from Amazon market place, the sellers are from either Hong Kong or China. Two of them are mini flashlights for $3.xx shipped by airmail with tracking number, they arrived in less than 10 days. The larger flashlights were around $6-10 shipped with tracking number and also arrived in less than 10 days.

If Chinese sellers can ship a small item more than 8,000 miles for no more than $1-2, and if we ship the same item to China it will cost much more than $4-5, how can we compete with them ?

Another amazing example, I paid less than $1.20 for a bicycle flashlight mount shipped by China post and it arrived in 2-2.5 weeks. How the heck can they do that ?

It's very clear that China post subsidizes shipping cost for package/mail to anywhere outside China. I don't have any knowledge about shipping cost within China.

 

[stephen9666]

The problem in the OP's case is that he used UPS.

Generally, USPS is cheaper for smaller items. UPS is cheaper for bigger items.

I've sold many, many items on ebay, so I know a small amount about shipping.

And before another USPS hater chimes in-
I've personally had way more problems with UPS and Fedex than USPS. Some local USPS people aren't good, but the horror stories online are blown way out of proportion.

I've never had an item claim it was delivered by USPS when it wasn't or before the item was delivered. USPS also recently revamped their tracking.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
The problem in the OP's case is that he used UPS.

Generally, USPS is cheaper for smaller items. UPS is cheaper for bigger items.

I've sold many, many items on ebay, so I know a small amount about shipping.

And before another USPS hater chimes in-
I've personally had way more problems with UPS and Fedex than USPS. Some local USPS people aren't good, but the horror stories online are blown way out of proportion.


I don't hate the USPS, they actually have lower shipping costs than the other two most of the time, but you gotta admit, their tracking system sucks balls...

 

[Benzadmiral]

What gets me is the new trick (read: "dodge" or "hustle") UPS and FedEx have, where they accept the item for delivery, then leave it off at the closest local USPS office. It's called SmartPost or something like that. It's as if the senior tech at a shop agreed to change a customer's spark plugs at his normal rate -- "Oh, sure, I'll take care of it" -- then tossed the job to somebody else (not as skilled) so he could go home early. Even though the customer specifically asked for the senior tech.

Grrr. Smart for them, not for us.

 

[xfactor9]

I've shipped many things w/ USPS, using either 1st class or Priority or Parcel Post. They're fine for inexpensive items. Once in a blue moon, something takes longer than it should. Maybe one out of 15 times. But nothing has been lost in transit. I've had the same success rate w/ UPS.

Did you ship through a private company? Like UPS Store or a mom-and-pop company? They mark it up

 

[xfactor9]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
What gets me is the new trick (read: "dodge" or "hustle") UPS and FedEx have, where they accept the item for delivery, then leave it off at the closest local USPS office. It's called SmartPost or something like that. It's as if the senior tech at a shop agreed to change a customer's spark plugs at his normal rate -- "Oh, sure, I'll take care of it" -- then tossed the job to somebody else (not as skilled) so he could go home early. Even though the customer specifically asked for the senior tech.

Grrr. Smart for them, not for us.


Smart Post is the least expensive method that UPS & FedEx provide. I've used it a few times to send items. It's about 15% less than normal Ground but adds 2 days to delivery time. If you have a secure mailbox, it's actually the best way to receive items

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: xfactor9
I've shipped many things w/ USPS, using either 1st class or Priority or Parcel Post. They're fine for inexpensive items. Once in a blue moon, something takes longer than it should. Maybe one out of 15 times. But nothing has been lost in transit. I've had the same success rate w/ UPS.

Did you ship through a private company? Like UPS Store or a mom-and-pop company? They mark it up


Yep, UPS store...

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
What gets me is the new trick (read: "dodge" or "hustle") UPS and FedEx have, where they accept the item for delivery, then leave it off at the closest local USPS office. It's called SmartPost or something like that. It's as if the senior tech at a shop agreed to change a customer's spark plugs at his normal rate -- "Oh, sure, I'll take care of it" -- then tossed the job to somebody else (not as skilled) so he could go home early. Even though the customer specifically asked for the senior tech.

Grrr. Smart for them, not for us.


As much as UPS and Fedex are charging they shouldn't be handing the package off to anyone...

 

[xfactor9]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: xfactor9
I've shipped many things w/ USPS, using either 1st class or Priority or Parcel Post. They're fine for inexpensive items. Once in a blue moon, something takes longer than it should. Maybe one out of 15 times. But nothing has been lost in transit. I've had the same success rate w/ UPS.

Did you ship through a private company? Like UPS Store or a mom-and-pop company? They mark it up


Yep, UPS store...


You got gouged by that store. Never go to a UPS store except to drop off a package, as they are private franchised stores and they can charge whatever they want.

If you get a price quote on UPS.com or USPS.com, you will see your football costs $6 to $10 to ship.