US Post Office vs. UPS

[tiggerlover]

This got lost on another thread so I thought I would post a seperate one. What is the difference between sending packages via UPS as opposed to the US Post Office? Is there a difference in cost or transit time or is it just personal preference?

Thanks!

 

[2MuchOhana]

I wish I knew what to tell you. I don't know what the cost difference would be between the two. I only know that I have better experiences with UPS than the PO. I am certain that probably varies by where people live, too. I have had a lot of lost, stolen or damaged mail. My preference would be UPS; but that is just me!

Hope your package gets to where it needs to go safe and sound! I hate seeing that "sorry your package was damaged" sticker! Happens far too often for me!

Jodi

 

[LuvTigger]

I think it depends where you're sending it. I believe that sending things within the US, UPS is more expensive. However, with UPS, I believe they guarantee that the package will be delivered by a certain date, and they have tracking services that are included in the price.

When sending something international, in some cases, UPS (or other private companies like FedEx) might offer more value. For example, it might only cost a very small amount more than the postal service, but it is guaranteed to get there a lot faster.

I'm sure others here probably have more experience with this, but I have a friend who owns a Mail Boxes Etc. (actually, I think now it's called the UPS Store), and I recently had to ask him a question on how much it would mail something to Japan. In that situation, it only cost a few dollars more to ship it UPS, which he recommended.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

I just got an overnight package from the post office on Friday and they told the sweet soul who sent it to me that it would be here by noon and it sure was not once but twice!! The first time no one was home so they didnt leave it. The second time they tried dh was home and our post person gave it to him. It was expensive to send it but Im not sure it would have been any cheaper to overnight it with UPS. I have sent stuff two day with UPS and the cost was astronimical.

 

[adamak]

My understanding is that UPS is private company whereas USPS is government owned. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). Personally I feel like UPS cared a tad more than USPS because they're privately owned, so their customer services and trackings are better. I had things shipped to me on the same day, 1 on either carrier, and UPS one came 2 days earlier.

I think it really depends on what / where / how you're shipping your items. If it's not that time sensitive, I'd say go for USPS because it's cheaper.

 

[4greatboys]

The thing I like about UPS is whatever you send is trackable and with the USPS only certain things are trackable.
The other thing I like about UPS is the drivers......my dh is one of them

 

[Crankyshank]

UPS is more expensive, but I think the service is faster and the items are less likely to be damaged. That's my experience at least.

 

[*Flower*]

I can tell you (from experience) that UPS always seems to deliver my orders- and USPS always seems to LOSE my orders.

And even though I insure the packages when I use either one, with UPS I can track the shipment and with USPS I can't.

I'm concerned about one right now that I foolishly shipped back via USPS. I did 3 of them the same day. Two have been received and the third one is in limboland right now.

 

[QueenTrident]

I vote for UPS. Pricing varies: sometimes UPS is more expensive, sometimes less. But it is always reliable (which I can't say for USPS). Plus, UPS is more convenient for me. The UPS drop off centers and UPS stores by me are open much later than USPS, so I can go pick something up/drop something off after work much more easily.

 

[mom2of2]

with USPS you can always get a package insured and delivery confirmation. If you send something "Express" it's guarenteed for the next day by noon. Now IF you aren't home the mail carrier CAN NOT leave it since it needs to be signed for.
delivery confirmation doesn't need to be signed for but the package is scanned when it gets to your door. All others require signatures.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

UPS will track packages at every step of the way. The USPS will generally not scan en route (even with express mail) and if it is scanned, the tracking web page will not update in real time, only at the end of the day.

UPS will also generally be cheaper than the PO for anything over 5lbs.

 

[2MuchOhana]

If you aren't in a hurry than USPS maybe okay. Don't waste your money on 2 to 3 day service! It is not a guarantee! Often gets to where it needs to go faster with regular service than with paying more! Last time we went to PO we heard the clerks talking about the fact that someone had forgotten to take the express and overnight mail out the past two days! They hoped no one needed it there in a hurry or over night!

Sometimes you get what you pay for! Sometimes you don't!


Jodi

 

[mickey4ver]

Depending on size/weight of package UPS is usually cheaper in the long run. I UPS a large package to AZ for about $13...that even includes Office Max's fee for processing it for me, and if I took it to the post office, it would be over $23 to ship, so for anything large I use UPS. I like them better overall anyway...the post office is not very accomodating for the most part if you have an issue.

I had an item that was broken that I got off ebay...it was insured, but I had to find a book that "proved" the value of the item and showed them what it was...not enough that I took it in broken to show them and it was insured for $25...so that is what I should have got...without having to prove it....oh well, it did work out...JMHO on it all

 

[jipsy]

UPS is private, USPS is government owned.

UPS may charge a little more, but in the thousands of times I have used them, the order is there the day they say it will be about 95% of the time. The USPS can't guarantee a time, except for overnight delivery, and the several times I've paid for the overnight, they have always been late delivering it.

UPS insurance claims are much easier to process and get your money back. The one time I made a claim with USPS for an expensive item, it took me months to get my money from them, even though I paid for their insurance.

UPS is worth the few extra cents.

 

[epcotfan]

Please use the USPS (postal service) if you are shipping Internationally. UPS charges huge brokerage fees (aside from duty) for shipments to Canada and abroad. With USPS the international customer will only have to pay duty (if it is owed).

 

[Roxter79]

I had two things purchased from two different places online about a day apart. It got here a day early and it wasn't too expensive

 

[Pin Wizard]

UPS fan here.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by LuvTigger


When sending something international, in some cases, UPS (or other private companies like FedEx) might offer more value. For example, it might only cost a very small amount more than the postal service, but it is guaranteed to get there a lot faster.

It's my experience that to Europe UPS is a whole lot more expensive, and after a couple of major mess ups, I'll never use them again. Once, they delivered packages meant for people in 3 different cities all to one person in one of the cities. That same time, they just randomly charged my friend that I sent a book to a 10.00 customs fee, even when UPS here said she shouldn't have been charged. Another time, 2 of the packages just vanished in to thin air -- I'm still waiting to ve reimbursed. Never had a problem with the Post office.

I consider it my public service to warn people about UPS to Europe!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

As a seller on Ebay, generally, I find that domestic packages weighing less than 5 lbs are cheaper to sen via Usps. Anything weighing more than 5 lbs is cheaper vis UPS. JMHO.