is there a reason why people use UPS/Fedex over USPS for small/medium

[holden j caufield]

I've started ordering and building an htpc for some family and have ordered parts from all over. Some from retailers, ebay, forums etc. Most of the forum purchases go usps and I get it in 2-3 days, the ebay usps orders get here in the same amount of time.

The ups and fedex orders always take a lot longer without exception. Having shipped some things also, usps seems like a no brainer. They have free saturday delivery, almost always cheaper or maybe slightly more expensive but it gets there in 2 days.

 

[rudeguy]

Their tracking sucks
Their customer service sucks
Their infrastructure sucks

Any business would be out of their minds to rely on USPS. Fedex is actually cheaper for my company. We ship between 100 and 4000 pieces daily. USPS is a joke.

 

[Markbnj]

Their tracking sucks
Their customer service sucks
Their infrastructure sucks

Any business would be out of their minds to rely on USPS. Fedex is actually cheaper for my company. We ship between 100 and 4000 pieces daily. USPS is a joke.

This. I barely trust them to deliver the junk mail that is apparently the only thing they do anymore.

 

[mrjminer]

I haven't ever had a problem with them sending small packages, but I do so pretty infrequently.

I get the suspicion they are not delivering mail every day, though. There's a guy that walks around the neighborhood delivering; when he does it I always get mail. On the days that I don't ever get mail, I occasionally see a lady in one of the mail golf carts leaving the area, then get 5-6 pieces the next day when the guy is walking around

 

[GeekDrew]

Their tracking sucks
Their customer service sucks
Their infrastructure sucks

Any business would be out of their minds to rely on USPS. Fedex is actually cheaper for my company. We ship between 100 and 4000 pieces daily. USPS is a joke.

This.

 

[quikah]

Usps is cheap for occasional mail. If you have to do shipments regularly you can get a pretty good deal with ups or fedex.

That said i never really had a problem with usps.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I use USPS, unless it's something very valuable, where the better tracking is beneficial. I also tend to use air shipping on those same items, and especially on fragile items, as the service is infinitely better than either company's ground service, and I figure the less time the package is in their hands, the better. IMO, Fedex ground is absolutely the worst of any of the shippers.

USPS tends to be more convenient and cheaper for anyone who doesn't have a business account with UPS or Fedex. Anyone can drop off a package at the local post office. Using a commercial Mail Boxes Etc. type of place can be exorbitantly expensive. I used to have a UPS distribution center nearby and would take packages there, but they moved it about 10 miles, so that's no longer an option.

Some people can use their work's shipping department to send out a package using UPS or Fedex, and can even get the benefit of the company's discount. But many companies ended that practice years ago when eBay blew up.

 

[NFS4]

I use USPS (especially their regional rate boxes) most of the time over Fedex/UPS for my eBay shipments.

Now, if I'm shipping something heavy and bulky (say over 10 pounds), I'll usually go with Fedex. But otherwise, USPS kicks their ass.

There's no way that UPS or Fedex can allow me to ship a 10-pound package from NC to California (Regional Rate Box A) in two days for $9.97.

They also now offer free insurance up to $100 for Priority Mail boxes to match Fedex/UPS. In addition, their tracking is now relatively detailed and comparable to Fedex/UPS. A sample tracking summary from a package sent this week:

 

[Mai72]

I've used USPS for small items and I have never had an issue.

I think the real reason most people on ATOT distrust USPS is because they don't like unions.

 

[MagickMan]

For small, inexpensive things, I prefer USPS, but for larger more valuable items I use FedEx. I hate UPS, but that's only because the drivers here are incompetent jerks. FedEx "SmartPost" is an abomination that should be killed with fire, however. 5 days to travel 300 miles? WTF?

 

[nsafreak]

Businesses don't use it for a number of factors:

1) Their tracking is not reliable (as stated above)
2) They do not associate a weight or package dimensions with their tracking number
3) Dealing with their insurance is a joke if you happen to have a package get lost

I work for a company that ships all of our packages out via UPS and we require all of the partners that we do business with to ship to us using UPS as well. Any given day of the week we typically deal with 20 to 30K packages if not more.

 

[Rakehellion]

I think the real reason most people on ATOT distrust USPS is because they don't like unions.

 

[Mai72]

:hmm:

 

[1stezekiel]

well, i shipped a brand new bob long victory paintball gun with usps recently. 1200$ value... and its lost in limbo. things like that made me use fed ex. not only did i lose my vic, i also had to ship back the gun i traded it for. soooo, yeah... lol.

 

[Printer Bandit]

does USPS deliver directly to the door instead of mailbox?

 

[1stezekiel]

yes they do. if package doesnt fit mailbox...

 

[Printer Bandit]

yes they do. if package doesnt fit mailbox...

even in apartment complexes? they've always left slips in my mailbox, which tells me to go to the post office to pick up the package.

 

[Rakehellion]

does USPS deliver directly to the door instead of mailbox?

I live in Brooklyn and sometimes they don't attempt delivery at all. Literally. They'll leave a slip at the door even if you're at home and waiting for the package to be delivered.

 

[Fire&Blood]

I live in a apt. complex and frequently buy clothing online, unless the shipper screws you with requiring a sig, USPS leaves stuff at the door. For inexpensive stuff where tracking doesn't really matter since USPS tracking is bad, I don't mind USPS and Saturday deliveries without extra charges are nice. That being said, Smartpost sucks because it extends the transit by at least 1 business day.
If a smartpost package reaches destination city on Thursday, you are looking at a Monday delivery.

 

[marvdmartian]

Generally speaking, I'll spend 3 minutes online, checking the shipping rates with Fedex, UPS & USPS websites, then go with the cheapest (usually Fedex, unless it's small enough to go 1st class mail, or in the small USPS box, Priority mail [NOT flat rate], for <$7....which is just about as cheap as Fedex or UPS will ship).

Businesses usually go with Fedex or UPS because they're shipping bulk, so it's much cheaper than the Post Office.

 

[1stezekiel]

even in apartment complexes? they've always left slips in my mailbox, which tells me to go to the post office to pick up the package.

another reason usps irks me. if your postman doesnt feel like getting off the delivery truck, or doesnt want to hassle with leaving it at your door, they will leave you a slip.

 

[Rakehellion]

another reason usps irks me. if your postman doesnt feel like getting off the delivery truck, or doesnt want to hassle with leaving it at your door, they will leave you a slip.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/us-post-office-brooklyn-14

 

[Imp]

In Canada, Canada Post owns a huge chunk of one of the big couriers, Purolator.

I don't courier often, but when I do, I stick to Canada Post just because I'm more familiar and have never had an issue with tracking or delivery. It's also a matter of convenience since post offices are everywhere to drop stuff off. Prices are comparable to Purolator at least.

 

[Zee]

usps blows dick for all the reasons. Anything higher than first class mail & small flat rate box needs to go to UPS/Fedex.

Seriously, USPS needs to go out of business.

 

[Destiny]

USPS doesn't have a system to enter large quantities of orders.

UPS and FedEX is better for heavier items.

USPS is good for items less than 10 lb.


Reliability - I would say they are the same.