UPS vs USPS??

John Augustine

John Augustine

Well-known member
Having just mailed a decoy yesterday I got to wondering which is better? I used UPS because the last time I used the post office the shipping doubled the cost of the item I shipped. UPS was more than expected but maybe I'm out of touch.
What does the jury say? John
 
John ,
I have used both services .I carve and sell duck decoys every week and send them all over the world . The only time I have ever had damage or loss to a shipment was when I used UPS.
The good old Postal service hands down is cheaper and delivers to more places on earth and they give you free boxes to ship in that alone is worth 5 bucks.
Just my 2C. Use what works for you.
BobM
 
USPS is my go to. They have never lost at broken anything I shipped, price is competitive until you get something really big, never far from a post office free boxes if they fit. I sent a trio of teal all the way to the Aleutians for a member here a couple years ago for $12! Saturday delivery is a plus too!
 
My only dislike of USPS is when the sender requires signature on delivery. USPS drives me nuts with their attempted deliveries. I always end up having to drive 20 minutes out of my way to pick up something at the post office since they refuse to leave anything on my doorstep even when I use their website and check the leave on doorstep box for missed deliveries. USPS delivery policies pushed me to using UPS whenever I ship something. I just don't appreciate the inconvenience USPS heaps on me to receive a package. If you do use USPS to ship then do the recipient a favor and do not require a signature upon delivery. It is a pain in the ass for working families.
 
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USPS all the way. I've had a couple close calls with packages getting banged up with them but UPS is no better with box handling in my experience.
I may be in the minority but as far as packages go I have never thought their prices were that out of line. UPS has always been higher for me and not nearly as convenient so I don't even look at them anymore.
Shipping things is for hard to find, one of a kind and expensive items.

Tim
 
My only dislike of USPS is when the sender requires signature on delivery. USPS drives me nuts with their attempted deliveries. I always end up having to drive 20 minutes out of my way to pick up something at the post office since they refuse to leave anything on my doorstep even when I use their website and check the leave on doorstep box for missed deliveries. USPS delivery policies pushed me to using UPS whenever I ship something. I just don't appreciate the inconvenience USPS heaps on me to receive a package. If you do use USPS to ship then do the recipient a favor and do not require a signature upon delivery. It is a pain in the ass for working families.
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Ditto on that... My MIL was hooked on the signature at delivery for a while, untill we finally turned her off that. What a pain.
 
Thanks Guys,
Don't know what I was thinking. Drove out of my way to ship UPS and the main Post Office is two minutes away!
Thanks again, John
 
I prefer UPS for most of my shipping, especially decoy (duck) size items. Their ground tracking is the best IMHO. Their regional terminal is only a few miles from work, so I can drop off packages at lunch time, so it is not more inconvienent for me in that respect.

For smaller sized packages (a book, or a large envelope type things) I often use USPS, I think for those they are a little better priced. FedEx ground tracking sucks, and their idiot delivery guys always leave the packages on the front porch where we dont see it when we enter the garage, even though the wife has a perminant note by the front door saying not to leave packages there. For express delivery I prefer FedEx over UPS, but not by a lot (I recieve literally thosands of overnight packages per year at work, using both services).

For oversized packages (like swans) if outside the region, I use Greyhound package express. Lou turned me on to this, and though you have to drop the package at the bus station and the reciever picks up at their bus station, there isn't a cheaper way going for oversized items.

Chuck
 
Just about all the stuff I have shipped in recent years has been using USPS. Cheaper and just as fast as UPS..
 
I ship everything USPS. Priority includes a tracking number (you used to have to pay extra for) and is just as fast as UPS at usually 10% cheaper. Small towns there is almost always a post office. Ditto the signature thing, don't do it unless you're sending sensitive paperwork (titles, wills, etc.)
 
UPS charges a brokerage fee at the Canadian border, so I won't use them.

Fedex does the same service, but no hidden fee.

USPS is also good when I buy stuff shipped to my side of the border.
 
My only dislike of USPS is when the sender requires signature on delivery. USPS drives me nuts with their attempted deliveries. I always end up having to drive 20 minutes out of my way to pick up something at the post office since they refuse to leave anything on my doorstep even when I use their website and check the leave on doorstep box for missed deliveries. USPS delivery policies pushed me to using UPS whenever I ship something. I just don't appreciate the inconvenience USPS heaps on me to receive a package. If you do use USPS to ship then do the recipient a favor and do not require a signature upon delivery. It is a pain in the ass for working families.
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And here in Anchorage it is the exact opposite problem. UPS and FedEx are about a 50/50 between doing what I pay them to do and doing what ever they want to do. I typically will not do any online shopping at a retailer that does not offer USPS Priority Mail. Sometimes I can't help it as UPS is the only option for some sellers. And then Cabelas does what ever they want for shipping at times, but they eat the cost difference every time.
 
USPS or FedEx. I will not us UPS ever again after destroying a vintage Fender amplifier then refusing to pay for damages after
they packed and I paid for insurance.
 
USPS for me. Girls at the PO know me well and share their tape. Plus free boxes if they will fit. Price is tough to beat IMHO except when going with an oversize box
 
When delivering to my house in the rain or snow, UPS will leave the package near the edge of my porch where it gets wet, while USPS will stuff it in the mailbox with the door open and the package hanging out.


I guess I prefer UPS, since at least that way the rest of my mail stays dry.
 
UPS is the best, then USPS.

FEDEX is horrible.
I had a shipment of puppy Vaccines delivered today, TO THE HOUSE A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. It seems that any house with in a mile of mine is good enough for them.
My neighbor called me this morning to tell me that my package was at his house.
 
I pretty much use UPS for everything that can ship within their guidelines. Beyond that, I ship a bunch of stuff via Greyhound Package Express as well as various trucking companies.
UPS picks up daily at my shop, provides insurance and tracking (fee for insurance). To get any of that from USPS brings pricing right up with UPS. Then again, low price gives you exactly what you pay for. I am NOT a fan of USPS and do not like the long waits in line or their lack of appreciation. But then, that's must MHO. ;)
Interestingly enough, I just shipped a package to a fella in California and received an "exception notice" that there was a delay due to "train derailment". That was a new one for me and only delayed delivery by 2 days. Gotta laugh at some stuff.
So.....my vote goes to ........ UPS.
Lou
 
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