FedEx, UPS, or Postal Service?

[Hugh Conway]

UPS and Fed Ex include $100 insurance free, on any package. They also have much better package tracking than the post office.

Those are the main reasons I prefer them to USPS. Also, they're usually cheaper and more convenient for me to use.

1) Try getting them to pay out on that "insurance"
2) Yeah, they've better tracking. Confirmation that it reached the intended recipient is a wash
3) Can't comment on convenience but I'm surprised that they're cheaper for a non-commercial user.

[khyber.pass]

UPS and Fed Ex include $100 insurance free, on any package.

So does Canada Post, with additional insurance $1.20 for each $100 thereafter (Expedited).

They also have much better package tracking than the post office.

True, you get to see it "in delivery," but delivery confirmation remains the same, and Signature can be had for a few bucks more.

Also, they're usually cheaper and more convenient for me to use.

From Canada private mail is often $10-30 more expensive, and that's not even expedited, while Canada Post prices that are equivalent are expedited (includes brokerage).


Cross-border, unless you can ship expedited FedEx / UPS for equivalent price (very rare), use national mails, save yourself the cash.

[johngenx]

If someone won't use USPS/Canada-Post to ship me stuff from the States, I don't do it. They're the lowest price thanks to the lack of outrageous brokerage fees.

[Spats]

USPS is cheapest for skis if (as cooltsi said) you keep length+girth under 108". Disassemble a box and fold it around the skis. If you can't fit them in that dimension, it may be cheaper to pull the bindings and ship them separately in a $11-12 flat rate box.

If you want to actually insure something for value > $100, FedEx is MUCH cheaper than UPS. And the triangular tubes work well.

Remember that FedEx/UPS charge more to go a longer distance, whereas USPS is basically flat rate within the USA. And as has been said, NEVER ship to/from Canada by anything but USPS/Canada Post as you will get raped by the "courier" scam.

[snophoto]

I sell a bunch of stuff on eBay, snowboards, climbing gear, tons of clothes, and other random stuff. I only use USPS, it seems so much cheaper, and I can always just give it directly to my postman. Ive shipped around 300 things in the last 2.5 years and they only lost 1 or 2, and they were international without tracking, so I may have just been screwed over by the buyers.
I hate having to go to UPS stores because I always print labels at home, they think im the devil or something for not shipping through their store.
One way to get around the dimensions is to print labels online and give the package to the postman, I have shipped 4 snowboards overseas that were an inch or 2 over length and they never came back. Good luck!

[vanisle]

Hooray for US Exceptionalism! The rest of the world does not exist!

Btw, shipping to/from Canada is easy. Use USPS/Canada Post with insurance and tracking. Prices are the same as in OP or close.

Why people think UPS/FedEx provide additional security is beyond me. They don't.

Never ship UPS/FedEx across borders unless Expedited, as brokerage fees are often the same cost as ship (ie $50).

Obviously don't include ship worldwide when posting a sale. That's just dumb.

Well played,we should sticky that....

[nfp158]

If you ship to Canada thru USPS/Canada Poste, be sure you send as a GIFT, if not the buyer may have to pay Provincial Sales Taxes, e.g. in Ontario >16%...boo!

[mmmthmtskier]

If your box is reasonably small (e.g. 80"x7"x7"), skis usually cost $20-30 to ship via Fed Ex Ground, which I've found to be cheaper than UPS. I never use USPS to ship skis.

Sign up for a Fed Ex account online, package & weigh/measure at home, print Fed Ex label at home. Drop off labeled package at Fed Ex Kinkos location, and done.

Exactly.
If you buy skis, set up your shipment as a return(Ground).
Don't check "residence", just pretend you are a business. They don't check.
I've shipped flat skis I've bought here for under $20...

[arewolfe]

UPS wanted $65. I peaced and got a telescoping snowboard box and repacked skis one more time.

Did the FedEx thing from home and it quoted me $35 so I went with that, printed the label, and dropped it off at FedEx Kinkos. Problem solved.

[Eluder]

I think Fedex has just changed there pricing. I got nailed recently on some bigger items. 45 to send a cheap set of wheels, 50 to send a 5 pound frame. They all are criminal. But FedEx used to be the cheapest....... now I think you just take it in the ass.

[pfluffenmeister]

i just got back from the PO.

mailed off two sets of flat skis.

colorado ---------> washington $23.71 with tracking and $175 insurance.

colorado -----> also washington $25.66 with tracking, sig confirmation, and $225 insurance.

the key (i think) is to ship flat, tightly wrap cardboard around the skis and tape the f' out of it.

[FormerKnuckleDragger]

Something you might try...although the time spent investigating may negate any savings.

FedEx/UPS both charge exorbitant list rates to small-time shippers. In contrast, they often give big, big discounts (60-70%) to companies that ship in volume. Zappos, for example, probably enjoys more than 80% off the list prices (which makes it so easy for them to ship free both ways). Smaller discounts are given to small- and mid-size businesses like law firms, real estate brokers, mortgage companies, and local banks. Think 30-40% off. So, if you do shipping in volume, but are paying UPS store prices, ask a friend who works for one of these places if they have a discount and will ship for you.

/the more you know.

[wildskizer]

If you ship to Canada thru USPS/Canada Poste, be sure you send as a GIFT, if not the buyer may have to pay Provincial Sales Taxes, e.g. in Ontario >16%...boo!

A few weeks ago, I shipped FYP Alottas flat to a Mag in Canada. Fed Ex wanted $90. They quoted me $48, and after 2.5 hours fk'n around with an account set up, they told me the $90 price! I walked out and went to USPS the next day, who had also quoted me $48 +/-. and That's what they DID ship them for; BUT, Canada dinged the receiver $50 even though I sent them as a declared GIFT! Fucking Gubermint theives! AND that was after they held up our $ transfer via PP for 10 fucking days...:

Seems things are getting worse by the minute, and it's not snowing yet!

Cheerless...

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

Come and get it!!

Walking the dogs, it was all just there for the taking.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Fucking hate how subdivisions all do this now.
Want to send and receive packages/mail from your house or apartment building like everyone else?
Hahaha, go pound sand. The PO can't be expected to go up to each of all of these really closely spaced together houses like they've always done, that would be ridiculous.

[Micol]

^ that shit is my biggest fear when shipping peeps frs gear, especially jackets...

and on the op's op post, from a tweckade ago.... based on what it costs us to ship softgoods, that paltry $40 or whatever for skis w bindings mounted no less is like an f'n dream price

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

But it's a meeting area for the development!

There's one of those free library boxes next to the mailboxes. I'm always threatening to put some smut in it.. "Honey, how did Bree'anna get this copy of 'The Story of O'?"

[Micol]

a porch pirates wet dream

[grinch]

The latest thing here in kentucky of the north is the methheads cracking open all the outdoor malboxes at night. Right up there with catalytic converters and copper wires now.
Post is still the best. Our secure building here works fine. Big post packages id pick up at the PO and wouldnt be left on top of a box like that pick. They should leave a card. Courier services leave packages out in the open most often though. So far so good on that

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[Stuntmonkey]

^ that shit is my biggest fear when shipping peeps frs gear, especially jackets...

and on the op's op post, from a tweckade ago.... based on what it costs us to ship softgoods, that paltry $40 or whatever for skis w bindings mounted no less is like an f'n dream price

You're not kidding. I just paid $80 to ship some skis to Canada and that was the cheapest price.

[waxloaf]

The correct answer to all shipping questions is now PirateShip - can’t believe I wasn’t using it earlier

[singlesline]

At least here they never leave stuff on top of the box.

if it doesn’t fit inside one of the package lockers, they still take it to your front door.

[m5d5cb]

Check out Pirateship for buying your postage as well. Far cheaper than "walking in" and paying over the counter.

[Dhiler17]

I second pirateship.com, saved me lots of cash over the years.


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[jerlane]

The correct answer to all shipping questions is now PirateShip - can’t believe I wasn’t using it earlier

Yeah, this^^^^. I finally got on board after seeing someone else here mention it a few months ago. So easy and always saves money.