Who is the best and least expensive parcel service?

[rawalker]

I've been using Fedex lately to ship things out.
For me they are the easiest because that are at a local Kinkos.
A few years ago I checked prices on ground service and they where a bit cheaper but I haven't checked lately.

[terrillja]

Well, depends what you are shipping. UPS has much better prices when shipping cylinders, since they don't consider them to be hazmat, (fedex does) and allow you to ship them with 500psi. The fact that they have good tracking is also a plus. If shipping heavy stuff, USPS flat rate priority boxes are great with a 70lb weight limit. Fedex is fine with me, but the ups store is closer, so I tend to ship with them.

[waytooslow]

fed ex ground hands down. better service - cheaper - and will get there fast

[mike_s]

UPS works fine 95% of the time. But when they have a problem, you as the consumer are SCREWED. UPS Sucks.

[Zyxistal]

Fedex ground!

[mike_s]

FED EX ground has really improved.


when they started, they bought out RPS and used them. RPS had a different "culture" and they weren't the best for packages, especially remote locations.

They didn't have any standardization in Quality or service either, because each RPS delivery person was an "independent contractor" who independtly owned the truck they were driving.


but FED EX has made big improvements over the years from their start with RPS.


oh.. one more thing. FED EX Ground doesn't charge for Saturday Delivery. UPS does.

real nice when you order something on Tuesday or Wednesday and it doesn't come on Friday. You don't have to wait until monday to get the package.

The only negative I've seen is that some shippers of higher priced items that do 'signature required'. FED EX Ground won't take a sticky note with your signature on the door saying "please leave package".

[scubasamurai]

fed ex , i use both but fed ex seems to have the right price and time frame we need . plus their tracking system seems more user friendly

[mike_s]

Let me add another comment about another shipper...

DHL appears to be the worst. the worst customer service, the worst online tracking access and the worst delivery service.


DHL uses contractors many times for their package delivery and pickup. When it gets to the destination and it's not a place their normal drivers want to go, they contract it out again to a 3rd party who really doesn't care if it's delivered ontime or not.

Last package I sent with them was overnight coast-to-coast to california. It took almost 7 days to get there via OVERNIGHT.

Their tracking software was always 6 to 8 hours behind on the last "scan". Then when they subcontracted it to a 3rd party, who didn't have their scanner equipment, it went several days without any tracking information.

all their 800 customer support number could do was tell me it had been 3rd party contracted out for delivery and since it was a 3rd party they couldn't get any information on where tha package was.

I was at their mercy. Finally 7 days later my overnight package arrives...

That was the last time we shipped anything with them.

[IndyDiver]

Speaking from the point of view of a distribution facility that sends out 5000-7000 small package shipments a day - it is UPS hands down. They have better logistics, are more reliable in rural areas, and have better customer service and convenience to the end customer for residential deliveries. At our size, UPS gives the best volume discounts and rebates as well.

Every year we evaluate our carriers for the upcoming year's contracts; and every year for the last 10 UPS has beaten out Fedex for our business.

DHL is not really a player in domestic US shipments. They have very spotty coverage outside of major cities. Their internal systems are still not unified from the merger of them and Airborne.

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by IndyDiver

Speaking from the point of view of a distribution facility that sends out 5000-7000 small package shipments a day - it is UPS hands down. They have better logistics, are more reliable in rural areas, and have better customer service and convenience to the end customer for residential deliveries. At our size, UPS gives the best volume discounts and rebates as well.

Every year we evaluate our carriers for the upcoming year's contracts; and every year for the last 10 UPS has beaten out Fedex for our business.

DHL is not really a player in domestic US shipments. They have very spotty coverage outside of major cities. Their internal systems are still not unified from the merger of them and Airborne.

Agreed. I prefer UPS, and have used them for many years. The problem with Fed Ex is that their ground delivery drivers don't work for Fed Ex. They are all independent contractors. I'm sure there are some exceptions, but in my experience most of them don't seem to care if you get your package or not. If you're in a rural area like I am, sometimes your lucky if they can even find your house. I've had the same UPS guy for 8 years. Even if someone screws up the address a little, he still knows where I'm at. He knows all the "hiding" spots if I'm not home too! I love UPS!