Which is cheaper: USPS, UPS, or FedEx?

[ManBearPig]

Any tips? Have a bunch of packages to send (smallish, <3-10 lbs). Thanks!

 

[bbhaag]

USPS media mail is pretty cheap. They give you the option if you want tracking or not. Tracking costs more. It's a very slow service though so don't expect it to get to your destination quickly. Sometimes it can take weeks or longer. Basically if they have room to fit it on the truck they will, if they don't it sits in the warehouse.

 

[fatpat268]

It depends really. Smaller packages will typically be cheaper with USPS. Also, check out the flatrate boxes... I forget how much they cost, but if you can fit 10 lbs of stuff in that box, it'll be cheaper than anything else.

But if you're shipping large boxes that are 5lbs or more, usually UPS and/or Fedex are cheaper.

Don't touch media mail with a 10 foot pole, though.

 

[EagleKeeper]

USPS Media will be the cheapest
USPS Priority Flat Rate may be useful. Same as the Stuff It but in different size boxes.
Insurance usually generates security and a form of Tracking. DC is not guaranteed accurate
USPS Priority stuff it Envelopes will be great for small items going to same place.


FedEx/UPS are good when you have high volume accounts and/or want a better level of service

 

[Bignate603]

I've done things media mail, I would only do that again if it was something extremely sturdy and that could take a while to get there. The box looked like it had been put under a ton of weight by the time it got to me.

I like USPS, mostly because they don't do the stupid games that Fedex and UPS do. If I ship USPS I know they won't abandon the package out in front of somebody's house or do the ninja knock where they sneak up, put a "sorry we missed you" tag on the door, then run away.

 

[Mixolydian]

USPS. I love the flat rate boxes. No measuring or weighing anything.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

No right answer, it depends on size/weight of the package and where it's going. For lighter/smaller packages going somewhere close USPS wins, for larger packages going cross country often FedEx wins. For small but really heavy boxes USPS flat rate is the best. Weigh the box, get the dimensions and calculate postage online to be sure. Sometimes it really surprises you.

And I'd staple my packages to a stray dog and hope for the best before using UPS. A dog will wander in the right direction randomly about as often as UPS will get it there undamaged.

 

[ManBearPig]

Man after you get past like 15 oz the prices shoot up.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Nothing wrong with the Postal Service. Its endorsed by the UNA BOBMBER

 

[vailr]

FedEx Ground is usually cheapest, for any content that won't fit inside a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box. An extra discount is also available via setting up an online FedEx account and printing the shipping label online vs. using a retail FedEx walk up sales counter.

 

[Jumpem]

UPS or FedEx. The USPS has always been more expensive for me when sending packages.

 

[ManBearPig]

problem with the flat rate boxes is that usually its cheaper to just send it another way. example: today i sent a box that would be ~$10.50 with a flat rate box, because it wasn't small enough for a small flat rate box, but not nearly big enough for a medium flat rate box. So it would've been more expensive. I wish they had more sizes.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Since it's >= 3lbs, I'd say FedEx ground, especially since it has $100 of free insurance.
If it's a book or somesuch, nothing beats USPS Media Mail.
Priority flat rate boxes could be worth it, but generally only if you're shipping a dense item (eg. lead ingot) because it has to fit in the relatively small USPS boxes.