David Hendley on thu 12 jan 06
Dale, it's easy to compare shipping prices on the internet.
Usually, the price ends up about the same using the Post Office
or UPS.
I can, after lots of comparison shopping, make some generalizations:
The Post Office is usually cheaper:
1. If speed is not important (parcel rate, not Priority Mail)
2. If you don't need extras - insurance, tracking, etc.
3. For small packages of 2 pounds or less.
4. For short distance shipments - in Texas, even for the whole state.
5. For international shipments (Big time cheaper, as you found
out), however insurance is not available for any price to some
destination countries.
UPS is usually cheaper:
1. If time matters somewhat - UPS Ground service is usually as
fast as USPS Priority Mail.
2. For long, cross-country shipments.
3. For heavy (like 25 pounds plus) boxes.
4. If you need insurance (the first $100 coverage is included
in the price).
5. If the address is a "business address", not a home.
You need to consider how you will get your package into the
system. The best deal for UPS is to print your own shipping label
and charge it to your account or a credit card. You can then
drop the package off with any authorized agent, at a UPS store,
or give it to any drive you see.
If you simply take your box to the UPS Store or other authorized
agent, they will add a surcharge, which can be significant, to the
base rate. Only the official UPS location for your city will take
the package and print a label for no additional charge.
You can also schedule a pick-up for an extra charge.
For the Post Office, for Parcel Post, your only option is to take
the package to the Post Office. For Priority Mail, you can
print your own label and schedule a pickup.
I rate the service of the two (USPS & UPS) as the same. Both
are OK most of the time, but both occasionally screw up, and
trying to collect on insurance from either will bring on a fight.
David Hendley
Old Farmhouse Pottery
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com
----- Original Message -----
> Hi Folks,
> I had an eye-opening experience the other day while shipping something.
> Anyway, I wonder if anyone has done any good research on when to use
> exactly
> which method of shipping for different circumstances or if there is any
> printed lierature anywhere on this subject, without figuring every
> shipment
> via websites in advance. I'd think eBayers ( which I'm not) would be up on
> this, at least those who deal with various other countries. And, which
> countries you should use one particular method. I mention this since once
> I
> was sending some tools to Mexico and the guy told me to use UPS
> SPECIFICALLY
> because if I used postal it would be stolen and he'd never see it! I
> figured
> he'd know, although I was shocked!
> Regards,
> Dale
dalecochoy on thu 12 jan 06
Hi Folks,
I had an eye-opening experience the other day while shipping something.
a bit of background:
I make ONLY bonsai pots and often ship to customers that I can't work out a
"pick-up" arrangement with at any shows ( Because I HATE packing stuff,
especially ceramics).
Anyway, in the past when I packed everything I usually took it to the US
post office because it was VERY close. As rates started to go up, and I
started spending more and more time packing ( BTW, I use carpet padding
scraps, free from carpet stores, heavy but NEVER had a pot break) I decided
I needed to start minimumly charging for this time. I also thought it would
encourage folks to try harder to work out a pick-up deal at a convention or
show.
By chance, I had a couple LARGE pots I had to get to a lady quickly and was
fresh out of packing material and didn't have a good sized box handy, so, I
took them to one of these privately owned UPS stores that was about 15 mins
away. Well, what they charged was really not much more than I told the
customer I would charge to pack them. So I did it.
Since then I've done this a few times. They always arrived quickly and
safely.
About six months ago I found myself needing to send some un-sold wood
carving tools back to Holland . I packed them good since a lot of little
pieces and took them to the UPS store along with something that needed to be
packed.
One trip....a good thing as Martha would say!
I found it was REALLY expensive to send that package I had already wrapped
to Holland that was fairly small, but kinda heavy for size.
It was $120 without additional insurance. But I thought, OK, Holland, Kinda
heavy....
The other day it happened again. I had two good sized pots I needed to wrap,
customer ok'd UPS charge ( BTW, I charge ONLY true shipping, no increases so
I DO NOT make money off shipping like I think lots do, I no longer pack
large stuff myself so do not charge for this anymore and tiny stuff , like
tools, I do quickly so don't charge at all to pack) .
I had the large pots for the store to pack/ship and one tiny pot I was
shipping to Holland as a gift. The packing/shipping of the two big pots
seemed fair. The smaller, already packed pot, was given a price of $104.
This threw up a flag. I said to the high school girl clerk, I can't believe
it costs this much to send this box. She said that was quoted off UPS site
and would be only a couple days.I said I didn't care about time. What other
choices? Well ....none!! But, they COULD send it by US P.O. but would be
about $40 and would be parcel post and take one to TWO months. I said to
forget that and I'd check USPO personally.
So, made a trip to PO and went to counter to weigh and fill out customs
form. Shipping was about $29 and 7-14 day time. I was PO'd. The first thing
I thought about was the package I had sent via UPS 6 mo. earlier for $120
:>)
When I got home I called the UPS store, I was SURE there were more options
or the girl made a mistake. Nope! Those were quoted prices via UPS, and I
never did get a good answer about the PO choices they gave me. I wonder
about that since it was a UPS store and not PO. They do sell stamps though.
According to the UPS owner the big increase is due to their tracking ability
and info. FOR $75!!!!!!
Anyway, I wonder if anyone has done any good research on when to use exactly
which method of shipping for different circumstances or if there is any
printed lierature anywhere on this subject, without figuring every shipment
via websites in advance. I'd think eBayers ( which I'm not) would be up on
this, at least those who deal with various other countries. And, which
countries you should use one particular method. I mention this since once I
was sending some tools to Mexico and the guy told me to use UPS SPECIFICALLY
because if I used postal it would be stolen and he'd never see it! I figured
he'd know, although I was shocked!
Regards,
Dale
dalecochoy on sat 14 jan 06
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Hendley"
To:
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 12:39 AM
Subject: Re: The Shipping Connections
Thanks David, some thoughts:
> Dale, it's easy to compare shipping prices on the internet.
> Usually, the price ends up about the same using the Post Office
> or UPS.
I always felt PO was cheaper up to a few pounds , like when I ship carving
tools. Also, closeness to home comes into play.
>
> I can, after lots of comparison shopping, make some generalizations:
> The Post Office is usually cheaper:
> 1. If speed is not important (parcel rate, not Priority Mail)
I found, like with this package to Holland, that AIR MAIL was 7-10 days,
fine, and was about $9 cheaper than Priority for this particular package.
Parcel rate wasn't really a LOT cheaper but, wow, the time!! Maybe a month!
> 2. If you don't need extras - insurance, tracking, etc.
Sometimes I ensure ( w/ pots) sometimes I don't ( with tools), but I found
that if sending expensive tools that I know can't get broken to someone I
DON'T KNOW, I always get the tracking. It's cheap, and gets around the
possible "But, I never got the package" line!
> 3. For small packages of 2 pounds or less.
Yes, found this true.
> 4. For short distance shipments - in Texas, even for the whole state.
Yep, and I have experimented with "Priority" a few times and found it no
faster unless crossing the country!
> 5. For international shipments (Big time cheaper, as you found
> out), however insurance is not available for any price to some
> destination countries.
Yes, in fact I was SUPRISED when sending a package of expensive tools to
Quebec once, cost me twice what it would have if to norther USA. games with
weight,value, method.
>
> UPS is usually cheaper:
> 1. If time matters somewhat - UPS Ground service is usually as
> fast as USPS Priority Mail.
i'll buy that. To Holland was only 2-3 days versus 7-10 but wasn't
important. That would be case by case for most.
> 2. For long, cross-country shipments.
Matbe
> 3. For heavy (like 25 pounds plus) boxes.
I think you are right, within USA
> 4. If you need insurance (the first $100 coverage is included
> in the price).
Yes. If you can collect it :>)
> 5. If the address is a "business address", not a home.
Didn't know that!!!
> You need to consider how you will get your package into the
> system. The best deal for UPS is to print your own shipping label
> and charge it to your account or a credit card. You can then
> drop the package off with any authorized agent, at a UPS store,
> or give it to any drive you see.
I understand. I don't have an account, mainly because, as I said in my
thread, I hate to pack and ship and will do anything to not ship!Especially,
If I can't easily replace it, like with a specific commisioned piece.
> If you simply take your box to the UPS Store or other authorized
> agent, they will add a surcharge, which can be significant, to the
> base rate. Only the official UPS location for your city will take
> the package and print a label for no additional charge.
Yes, I know this, but it is quite a way to one. But, this is how I USED TO
do it. There always seemed to be a crowd though.
> I rate the service of the two (USPS & UPS) as the same. Both
> are OK most of the time, but both occasionally screw up, and
> trying to collect on insurance from either will bring on a fight.
>
> David Hendley
Thanks David, Good thoughts and info on choices. What I'm sure everyone was
looking for, especially if they are like me, and don't ship a LOT.
Dale
> ----- Original Message -----
>> Hi Folks,
>> I had an eye-opening experience the other day while shipping something.
>> Anyway, I wonder if anyone has done any good research on when to use
>> exactly
>> which method of shipping for different circumstances or if there is any
>> printed lierature anywhere on this subject, without figuring every
>> shipment
>> via websites in advance. I'd think eBayers ( which I'm not) would be up
>> on
>> this, at least those who deal with various other countries. And, which
>> countries you should use one particular method. I mention this since
>> once
>> I
>> was sending some tools to Mexico and the guy told me to use UPS
>> SPECIFICALLY
>> because if I used postal it would be stolen and he'd never see it! I
>> figured
>> he'd know, although I was shocked!
>> Regards,
>> Dale
>
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>
Ingeborg Foco on sat 14 jan 06
"I always felt PO was cheaper up to a few pounds , like when I ship carving
tools. Also, closeness to home comes into play."
That may very well be true but I have a problem with the US Post Office.
They nickel and dime you and it gives me a pain. So much for the package,
now do you want insurance (of course I do, do you think I am going to give
this package to you on faith, honor etc to never know what happened, to have
no proof, right!) Oh, would you like to track the package....a bit more for
that, bla bla bla.
I ship with UPS, I have an account and I can figure out what my package will
cost on line, print the label take out extra insurance if the item is over
$100 and decide if I want to drop it off at a UPS store, pay extra to have
the UPS truck pick it up at my shop; $2.00 if it is done ahead of time $5.00
same day pick up. I can track the package, print out the actual signature
of the person accepting the package and I have a record of all of my
shipping for (I think 6 months not sure on that) I get a bill from UPS and
I pay it. Personally I have never had a billing problem....only when I
goofed. I have little patience for the Post office and their small time
BS.
I've never had a problem with UPS. I print my labels correctly, state the
box size which is printed on the bottom of most boxes. If it is a fraction
(12 3/4 ") I automatically list 13" on my manifest as they don't accept
fractions. I weigh my package on an old bathroom scale and it has never
been a problem. Most of my packages are picked up at my shop, a commercial
site and delivered to a residential address. I pack according to their
requirements and so far have not had anything break in shipping
Shhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Just my experience and I don't ship a lot.....a couple of packages per month
at the most.
Sincerely,
Ingeborg
the Potter's Workshop & Gallery
P.O. Box 510
3058 Stringfellow Road
St. James City, Florida 33956
239-283-2775
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