Shock: UPS shipping charges UPDATE: PAGE 3

[TxDsnyGrl74]

I know I totally got screwed. I'm going to take the advise and go the the Uhaul store to purchase the box and pack it with the next group of gifts which needs to be shipped tommorrow. I'm going to ship it via USPS. Do I have to wrap the Uhaul box in brown paper? I really would rather not mess with that if I don't have to.

 

[rparmfamily]

I avoid UPS at all costs, and only ship USPS Priority. I live in HI so UPS charges an arm and a leg.

 

[babytrees]

I know I totally got screwed. I'm going to take the advise and go the the Uhaul store to purchase the box and pack it with the next group of gifts which needs to be shipped tommorrow. I'm going to ship it via USPS. Do I have to wrap the Uhaul box in brown paper? I really would rather not mess with that if I don't have to.

as long as you a clear spot to write the to and from (you can use an envelope for that) and it's not a liquor or cig. box...you should be fine.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

as long as you a clear spot to write the to and from (you can use an envelope for that) and it's not a liquor or cig. box...you should be fine.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[4greatboys]

I have always gotten better prices from UPS than from USPS for shipping packages. However I go the hub and not to one of the "mailbox" stores

 

[jessica52877]

I used to ship fedex for larger items but now I can go USPS cheaper, sometimes priority, sometimes not. Sounds like your package dimensions hit oversized 2 or 3, making it way more. The guy should have offered to split into 2 and probably would have saved you a ton, then again, with the price of the box!!!! I don't know!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I made the mistake of shipping via UPS store once - never again! Total ripoff. I'm actually surprised they stay in business.

I now ship from my local post office. Much cheaper.

 

[Cindy B]

Why would you pay so much for a box and filler? Thats insane. You dn't need boex coverd in paper either. Thats just a plain waste of time.

I went to the 24 hour postal kiosk last night. There was a one person line who must have never used a computer before (is this what I push? I don't know...) so we waited an extra five minutes.

 

[Esmerelda]

just as an example: I'm sending a Guitar Hero III to an ebay sellar this morning. I had to cut another box to fit around this one (cost $5.00 at OfficeDepot yesterday). The box measures 32x12x4 and it weighs about 5.5 lbs total. I just shipped it for about $12.40 via USPS priority.

I try my best to stay away from UPS, now you can see why


Esmerelda <happy to Ebay

 

[dcfromva]

I am still in shock over the increase in shipping charges this year versus last year to ship my gifts. I know that fuel costs are high, but come on. I sent today from FL to TX via UPS ground and paid a whopping $210.78 in shipping!!!

Here is what I was charged: $163.17 UPS shipping ground + $40 for a box (30x30x30) + and $4.40 for filler + tax $3.12 = $210.78.

Plus, to add insult to injury, they can not even guarantee that the box will make it to TX by Christmas due to the high demand!! I’m really not too worried about that happening, as I have had good luck with UPS’s number of days in transit.

One other note, I have another group of presents to send to a different address consisting of about the same amount of packages. If I have to pay another $200+ dollars for shipping…. I don’t even want to think about it.

Let’s just say that my shopping will be done a whole lot differently next year. Can we say gift cards?!?

TxDsnyGrl74,
Wowie! That is stunning! Thinking outside the box, I was wondering if it would be practical to buy a RT ticket (for the same day or weekend trip) and make a Santa run and fly the presents yourself?

-DC

 

[ameraumi]

I hear ya! My friend in NC found me an iCoaster for my son and shipped it UPS. $18 to ship it!!!! Now I do not know how heavy it is (or big), but I cannot imagine it being that heavy.

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

Now I'm afraid to go today to mail my box!! Sounds like your box was huge, though, but still, that doesn't sound right to me. I always go to a small family owned mailbox store that ships UPS and have never had a problem. I always have mine boxed and ready, so I never need to buy a box or anything. If you look on the receipt you can find the weight, and then go online and check if they charged you the right amount, if that's possible. Sounds like a rip-off to me.

 

[MScott1851]

The UPS store tried to gouge me the other day, as well. I usually do the postal services Click and Ship prepay labels on my computer, then just drop it off at the post office.

I was mailing my brother stationed in Korea his Christmas package, it was the size of a boot box, but I didn't know how much it weighed. So, I just happened to be at the nail salon next to the UPS store, and ran in and asked the girl if she could just weigh it for me. She remarked, "You can send it by priority mail here, we have a post office in here." I'm thinking, cool...this will save me time.

A 4 pound, 4 oz box was $23.92!!! I questioned her about it, and she said, "Yes, with the measurements and the weight, that's what it is for priority mail to military addresses. We get our prices straight from the USPS." I ship a lot of stuff on eBay, and had estimated the weight at home as 6 pounds and knew what it SHOULD cost, and it wasn't $24.

I took my package right over to the post office, and guess what? It was $14 to ship it. I will NEVER ship with UPS as long as they deliberately try to deceive customers.

 

[tinatark]

You all know that you don't "have" to go to the UPS store, etc. to ship via UPS, right? You can weigh, measure your package, pay and print your label and ship it via UPS.com. If you drop off at the UPS store (NOT run by UPS, but a private entity) there is a charge to drop it off there - but most Staples stores have scheduled pick-ups daily.

OP, it sounds like you were charged, in addition to the store surcharges, an "oversized" box fee by UPS. Their website tells you the formula to see if your package will be subject to that.

I like shipping with UPS, as their deliveries are guaranteed, and you can track it. The only way to get guaranteed delivery via USPS is to pay for their overnight mail, which is WAY more expensive than priority. With priority, they say it "should" be there in 2-3 days, but there are no guarantees.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

In my original post I had mentioned that I had to send another package out today. I went to the Uhaul store and purchased one of their large boxes and a roll of tape $6.00. Then came home packed up the box with the presents and took to the USPS to ship out ground. To ship a large size box weighing 26 lbs., with $500 insurance, and delivery confirmation notice = $32.01!!! So the total with the box was $38.01!! My box that I shipped UPS was 50 pounds, and cost me $200. This does not add up!!

I feel so screwed over by the UPS store!! Please tell all your friends to be very leery of shipping at the UPS store. As others said, you could drop off at a UPS terminal, but I think I’ll be using the USPS from now on.

 

[msmayor]

The thing you have to remember is that UPS is, in no way, shape or form, the same as the US Post Office. They are a corporation in the business of making money and are free to charge what they want for shipping services. Its no different than finding the same product at two different stores for two different prices.

In many cases, UPS can be a more reliable shipper...and you pay a premium for that. In addition, detailed package tracking is automatically a part of the service you get from UPS while you have to pay extra with the USPS for that option.

Its always cheaper to pack it up on your own...but in all honesty, in a situation where you want to know that a package will get there on time and in one piece I prefer UPS.

Also, with respect to military mail to APO/FPO addresses: you will always pay US domestic rates with the USPS, as they are only charging you to deliver the package to the US Military installation that will ultimately ship the package overseas. Its a waste of money to ship anything like that at the highest rates as you cannot exercise the USPS "overnight" or "2-day" guarantee in getting it to its final destination. Once the military has it in their hands (either overnight or 2-day) it will sit until they have a transport plane full and ready to leave. Your package could sit for a few days waiting to leave, and once it leaves USPS hands they no longer are responsible for delivery.

 

[Darcy03231]

I do a lot of shipping. For large, heavy boxes FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery are the most reasonable and the most reliable in my experience.

 

[graygables]

I do a lot of shipping. For large, heavy boxes FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery are the most reasonable and the most reliable in my experience.

I use FedEx almost exclusively, even for small packages (t-shirts). It's cheaper than USPS by the time I have to add delivery confirmation and insurance, plus I get live tracking and much better service. I had to ship a package to a PO box a few weeks ago. Priority mail (2-3 days, right?), shipped the 3rd, delivered on the 10th. FedEx would have had it there in 2 days (using ground) and for less $$$. I also would never use the UPS stores, they charge a surcharge for EVERYTHING. Always pack your own, it's much cheaper.

 

[grlpwrd]

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience. Then again I am glad you posted here because lots of Dis'ers can learn from it.

I ship via UPS, USPS, FedEx, and I have used Greyhound for large items, mostly for ebay. They all have their virtues.

Oh, and because I have family and friends in Hawaii, Washington, and Florida, I send gift cards or I just order online and have things sent that way. Before I figured I was spending more on shipping than the gift itself. lol

 

[Sleepy]

As already stated shipping to a military address will NOT increase the cost of the postage (many postal people do not know this and I have to remind them). My FPO address has a NY zip code. If I pay for priority it ensures the package reaches NY in a few days. After it reaches NY, the military takes over and depending on the size (not maxing out dimensions allowable) it takes about 1 week for it to get to me. I have found that smaller boxes are usually gathered first for shipment from NY to here.