Cheapest shipping method? USPS vs UPS vs FEDEX???

[TygGer]

Apparently I sold something on Ebay and put shipping as standard $7.95 figuring that would cover anywhere in the states. Unfortunately, I did not write that shipping to Canada would be extra as I listed that I would also ship to Canada.

The package weighs about 3lbs and I tried the USPS postage calculator which came up to approximately $16 shipping.

Does anyone know which of the 3 places would tend to cost the least???

USPS vs UPS vs FEDEX????

Thanks

 

USPS is always cheapest. If you're shipping a book, get Media Mail with DC...it'll knock the socks off anything else.

Parcel Post is slow, but it'll get the package there. And it's cheap.

 

[alphatarget1]

i like fedex ground simply because it includes insurance up to $100, USPS insurance isn't cheap.

and it's fairly fast (5 business days to anywhere in the US i think)

 

UPS automatically includes insurance up to $100, I think.

 

[alphatarget1]

Originally posted by: jumpr
UPS automatically includes insurance up to $100, I think.

some locations take 6-7 days with UPS ground, while fedex ground only takes 5 business days.

I don't exactly know how much UPS ground costs but it has always given me the impression that it's expensive. maybe the postal annex ripped me off.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: alphatarget1

Originally posted by: jumpr
UPS automatically includes insurance up to $100, I think.

some locations take 6-7 days with UPS ground, while fedex ground only takes 5 business days.

I don't exactly know how much UPS ground costs but it has always given me the impression that it's expensive. maybe the postal annex ripped me off.

Also remember that shipping insurance doesnt mean jack sh!t, UPS will just say it wasnt professionally package so no money for you... ask sainrub i sent him a $700 vapochill tower that was insured for $500, they DESTROYED it, broke the entire front face plate off, the box was ripped all the way down one side and taped back together... the entire front bezel was snapped off. Applied for the insurance, they said it was insufficient packaging because it wasnt professionally packaged. $0, filed a complaint with consumer protection its still pending (after a year). The entire case was wrapped in about 4" thick of bubble wrap, and was fitted into the box exactly. Of course that isnt how it arrived.

 

[alphatarget1]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: alphatarget1

Originally posted by: jumpr
UPS automatically includes insurance up to $100, I think.

some locations take 6-7 days with UPS ground, while fedex ground only takes 5 business days.

I don't exactly know how much UPS ground costs but it has always given me the impression that it's expensive. maybe the postal annex ripped me off.

Also remember that shipping insurance doesnt mean jack sh!t, UPS will just say it wasnt professionally package so no money for you... ask sainrub i sent him a $700 vapochill tower that was insured for $500, they DESTROYED it, broke the entire front face plate off, the box was ripped all the way down one side and taped back together... the entire front bezel was snapped off. Applied for the insurance, they said it was insufficient packaging because it wasnt professionally packaged. $0, filed a complaint with consumer protection its still pending (after a year). The entire case was wrapped in about 4" thick of bubble wrap, and was fitted into the box exactly. Of course that isnt how it arrived.

i never had a problem with fedex, fedex rocks!

UPS sux0rs

 

[EXman]

I agree about UPS they suck I have had 2 run ins with UPS insurance and one was professionally boxed byt a 3rd party I never got a cent. I only use them with insanely heavy/large sized items until recently when I switched over to fedex ground for that. USPS media mail is sooooo slowwwwww I cannot use it. I hate when someone charges me $5 on ebay for shipping a comic book media mail. man it pisses me off now I just don't bid unless they use priority.

remember you get free DC with online USPS shipping labels. for larger/heavier items FedEx is the best.

 

[Gunslinger08]

USPS is typically more expensive for Canadian shipments than UPS, but cheaper on other international packages. Whether you ship UPS or Fedex Ground (which, btw, sucks horribly), do not insure it/claim a value for more than about $30 US. If you set it higher, the recipient will have to pay duties on the package, which can be quite a b!tch.

 

[TygGer]

I guess Ill have to bite the bullet and take a small lost on shipping. I dont feel like driving to different locations to find the cheapest price so I guess USPS it is then.

Thanks everybody

 

[amnesiac]

For bigger packages I've had the best luck with FedEx ground.

Shipped a 20lb package for $11 and a 7lb package for $6 through them last week.

 

[draggoon01]

anyone ever make insurance claim through fedex? did they pay?

 

[Vette73]

If it is something small then USPS. For anything bigger than 5lbs then use Fed-Ex ground. about half the cost of USPS.

 

[alkemyst]

It really depends on what your are shipping and where for the cheapest, also the time line you need. For me the flat rate envelope for $3.85 anywhere in the US in about 2-3 days (not guaranteed) is great for non-fragile items.

FedEx Ground is cheapest many other times.

I also had a huge problem getting coverage through UPS in a professionally packaged, double boxed item (with 6" of foam between the inner and outer boxed). They cited insufficient packaging.

Luckily I was able to get it working once I messed with reseating everything...it must have had about a 4 foot drop to one corner based on the box damage when I got it back.

 

[arod]

Actually lately when I price something Fedex ground has been cheaper than even usps.

 

[Qacer]

Screw UPS! I'd rather go with FEDEX or USPS. UPS does not deal with the merchants providing the products. Most of the merchants (about a thousand or so) on the mailing list that I'm on are complaining about UPS. They seem to be switching with FEDEX bit by bit.

 

[FoBoT]

D'oh!

i didn't see the Canada part, you're screwed, ship it USPS Air Parcel, good luck if it gets lost, you will have to refund the buyer $