UPS or USPS?

[Liz]

Every year around this time I have this dilemma of whether to mail gifts to family & friends via UPS or USPS. Either way it ends up being pretty expensive! Is there a website where I can calculate shipping costs both methods and see which would be cheaper before heading out? If its a heavy box I usually go with UPS but I remember last year I was shocked at how much that cost when the box wasn't all that heavy. And that was still sending everything early so it could go the cheapest (truck) route!

Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

WE just got done selling a multitude of things on Ebay.
My DH found a comparison chart on the Airborne website. WE set up an account with Airborne, because

1) it included up to $100 in insurance for no cost, where it is extra at the Post office.

2) The ground rates were cheaper than the Post Office.

3) No lines at the Airborne counter.

 

[Kermit]

You can find out the rates on both of their websites. Who's cheaper will depend on the size and weight of the box and where it's being shipped. I've found that no one is always cheaper than the other. Remember that you will pay a little extra if you go with UPS but don't go to one of their offices. I think Mail Boxes Etc or one of the big companies has recently started charging the same rates as UPS places, so that's the best one for UPS.

I agree that Airborne is usually the winner, but I don't have a convenient place to ship packages through them. You also need to call the recipient if you use Airborne and ask if they have service. Airborne doesn't have delivery service to every house in the country, and so they contract out their deliveries in some places. It can add a few days to the transit time.

 

[Lucky4me]

I use the Post Office. My reasons are price and dependability.

Right now I'm going through a nightmare with UPS over a return from an online store. They not only lost the items I sent back, they lost the tracking numbers too. This was a $150 mistake. I've faxed my receipts and called repeatededly. They don't want to pay up. The only reason I used them is because the online store paid for delivery. I probably won't get this resolved until after the holidays. Now I'm even more sure the USPS is the way to go....

 

[Nikole]

I've found (after having to ship gifts for the last 4 years since we don't live near any family...) That if I can plan ahead and am not doing it last minute........USUALLY UPS is better.

However, if I have to use priority then usually USPS Priority Service is significantly cheaper.


Try visiting www.usps.com and www.ups.com both have rate calculators.

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

http://wwwapps.ups.com/QCCWebApp/request?iso_language=en&iso_country=US