Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

• Shipping Rates are much lower.  I can save $4 to $5 on every shipment.
• Free boxes!  That`s right - absolutely free.  This alone saves me $.85 to $1.50 per shipment.
• Similar services.  USPS and UPS have similar tracking features, email notifications, address books, transactional reporting, etc.  (The only negative point is that the USPS has a more limited pick-up schedule.)
• Really easy  international service.  I admit that I`ve only had to ship internationally about 5 times.  With UPS, the paperwork was a pain but with the USPS, there was no problem at all.  Very easy to generate the required labels.  (Actually, we used UPS for our first international shipment from USA to Canada and it wound up getting blocked by Canadian customs.  The package was returned to me and I had to refund my customer almost $100. )

Any thoughts / experiences?

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Brendita`s Body Works - Organic Skin & Hair Care Products

I prefer USPS as well.  You can stuff a lot in their free flat rate boxes and it arrives to US customers in about 1-2 days.  I also like Stamps.com for the discount, saves customers` info, send email notifications...wish they were mac compatible though.


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CharleneBlacer.com
StartupNation's 2009 Notable Winner in Leading Moms in Business Competition

I think you need to do some real research on what the USPS actually offers. One option would be to split your shipping in half, using both services for a while.

The Post Office offers tracking only on some things. That tracking is totally dependent on employees scanning the items, and they rarely do. When an item is lost, nobody knows where it is, and in many instances, can`t even find it based on the so-called tracking.

You`ll never know exactly where your package is unless you choose the ship method costing almost the same (or more) than UPS.

If you don`t mind losing packages now and then, and have no problem re-shipping the lost items, then yes, you can save money with the USPS.

But if re-shipping would be a burden, then I think you`ll find that UPS actually is far-and-away a better system than the Post Office.

Then there are the changing regulations coming into effect, what with the USPS being both broke, and subsidized.

We always shipped USPS, mostly due to price. Then when we went to Free Shipping, we converted to UPS. We built in an average $12.50 per shipment, and although we sometimes pay more than that, more often we pay less (around $10 per package). All our packages are under 1 pound.

The level of personal stress went to almost 0, now that we know exactly where the package is, when it`s going to be delivered, and can actually track that package throughout the entire journey.

The only time we use USPS anymore is for international orders. We charge an additional $10 to ship anywhere in the world. But there, you`ll find you cannot track a package at all. And the rates have gone up, so we really should be charging an additional $15, bringing international shipments base-price to around $27.50.

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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.

I use both UPS and USPS and am really happy with both.  I compare prices and go with the best deal for my customers unless they have a preference. When packages have to be delivered the next day, UPS has never let me down ever, USPS does not get it there even though I paid for next day, that is their one downfall for me so I never use them for that anymore.   It is very important for me not to have lost packages or breakage since most of my art is one of a kind and labor intensive.  I have filed 1 claim with each and both were very prompt to reimburse me. Packages are shipped throughout the Us and overseas.
And you are right Teryx, the UPS Drivers are the wonderful in the politeness department. I guess I am very blessed because all the USPS service people I deal with are just as wonderful as well.
I do double box all of my work for safety.
Hope all are having a Wonderful Day!!!



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Catherine Miller
Catherine Miller Designs
7 Cloverleaf Llane
Buckhannon, WV 26201-8889
304-472-3331
wwww.catherinemillerdesigns.com
catherinemillerdesigns@gmail.com

I watched one UPS driver in Las Vegas throw six large boxes out of the back of his truck.  The boxes split open on the spot.  He didn`t know I was watching and brought the boxes into my store.  The driver then claim the boxes were ripped open when they were loaded into his truck. 

I filed a complaint with the local center.  But, the no action was ever taken. 

I took this complaint and more than two dozen mis delivered package complaints to the owner of the company. He agreed with me and we switched to Fed Ex.



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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.