Shipping & Delivery Discussion

[2boysandtoys]

Disclaimer - if I put this in the wrong spot, please feel free to move it!

If this is also discussed, and Sheila here can't find it, please tell me and I'll 'carry on' there.

For those of us who sell online and then ship to customers, we have a variety of options.  I know those options are often influenced by:

 - What we sell
 - Where we live
 - What's available

I happen to live in a major metro area, so have a good variety of choices.  I am able to reach out to USPS, FedEx, UPS and DHL within 1-2 miles from my home.  So - having these choices as carriers, I decided to do some testing.

I picked a 'bad time of year' for my test for a seller, but felt it would be a good test to see how my shipping/delivery services were. 

So ---- for those with similar choices, I hope this helps you - and would love to hear your thoughts, experience, etc.

BLUF (bottom line up front) - the least expensive provided the fastest service and the best bang for the buck - First Class Mail.

1.  For each shipment I needed to make between 11-1 and 12-31, I 'packaged' and 'quoted' the 4 above.

2.  UPS NEVER was the chosen shipping company as their fees were too high.

3.  DHL also NEVER was the chosen, for the same reason.  While they are attempting to compete with FedEx for home delivery, there surcharge is about double that of FedEx.

4.  For most sales that would fit into a flat-rate box, USPS priority mail was 'the better choice' based on price.  EXCEPTION:  a state/zip code within 350 miles of my own, also a major metro area.

5.  For those sales that would NOT fit into a flat-rate box, and exceed 3 lb. 9 oz., Fed Ex Home Delivery was the 'best choice' based on price.

6.  For those sales that would ship first class, this was the obvious choice.  Even though the USPS postage increase of this year significantly affected FC mail prices, it's still cheaper than all others.

Not only did I explore the provider for each package/sale I made, I watched delivery intervals.  I figured if one needed to test this, what better time of year than the busiest. 

I had honestly never measured intervals before, but knew that since I'm in KS, I've got decently fast delivery thru-out the US.  There are advantages to 4 seasons, middle of the country and tornadoes - I guess...

My results were very surprising to me though, and this - equally important as the 'best choice' based on price - tells me that you often do NOT get what you pay for.

For all packages sent First Class mail during the 2 month period, the average delivery time was 2 days.  The shortest was next day (a small town in MO) and the longer was 5 days.

For all packages sent FedEx during the 2 month period, the average delivery time was 3.2 days.  FedEx does allow you to measure down to the minute/hour and does NOT accept shipments on Saturday, nor do they deliver on Saturdays.

For all packages sent Priority Mail during the two month period, the average delivery time was 4 days.  The shortest was 3 days, the longest was 7. 

For both FC and PM, I do not count Sunday as a 'day' in the above analysis.  Of the 3, if I ever stop doing light-weight stuff and can't use FC mail, FedEx would be preferred.  Why?

 - I can track it from door to door (and so can the customer).
 - It's very cost effective, even more so if you can ship to a business address, than any of the other without some type of major contract/agreement.
 - Their quote and ship process both are super quick and easy.
 - Insurance is automatic.
 - They don't get wrapped up in 'oversize' like USPS and UPS do.

Hope this helps any of you all that also package and ship from your home!!  Please also share as I'm all for improving my process! 

[The Bar Keep]

Very good test and in fact I have been using the same services for a while now but the reasons are a bit different.

I sell both in stock inventory and inventory that would ship direct from my supplier (dropship). It depends on where it is going most times but most of my in stock inventory is held for overseas shipments via USPS express mail (traceable). Most domestic packages ship via Fedex ground via my supplier however if something is bought from my surrounding area I will ship USPS PM.

I believe Deb is a big DHL supporter so hopefully she can shed some light on why. I believe there is a problem with Fedex in her area and have heard horror stories similar (won't pickup or deliver maybe) but would prefer to allow Deb to explain.

Great Post Erin 

[2boysandtoys]

Thanks Joe for sharing!  I would like to hear more about DHL, and know several sellers who use them often/always.  I have never even gotten to try them yet - simply because they were not cost effective for my package, ship to location, etc.

Also, when I ship International - I use USPS.  I've sent FC (up to 4 lb.) and also PM (both Flat Rate and variable weight) but have never used the Express service.  I suspect the content of your packages is a bit higher than mine....Express might cost more than the sum of the purchase in my case!! 

I am very grateful for my choices and know that sellers who are not close to metro areas have fewer options. 

[QUILT]

I do alot of small item shipping and am pretty much stuck using usps.  Any packages that I can send out using US priority mail flat rate I do.  It just eliminates alot of problems and the tracking system is dependable.

I had an issue at the post office the other day.  According to the post office paypal shipping confirmations on packages less that 3/4" thick or priority mail are considered illegal and fraud.  Fraud being the key would that was yelled at me numerous times.  Not a pleasant experience by any means, but it makes me wish more and more for an alternative to the usps.

Great post everyone

[The Tavern Wench]

In my area we have:

Post Office
DHL (scheduled pickup for a fee, daily pickup for $8.00/week, or chase down Ivan the driver dropoff)
UPS (scheduled pickup for a fee, daily pickup, drop off at the local Drug Store or corner a UPS driver somewhere in town)
FedEx (scheduled pickup for a fee, no daily pickup unless you're located in a business zoned area or no drop off other than the FedEx 'mail box' in front of the Post Office)

I listed them in order of MY preference needless to say. 

Small stuff weighing under 5 lbs. I usually ship via Priority Mail.  I'm lucky and have a GREAT mail carrier.  I put the flag up on my mail box and he takes whatever I have.  I don't have to schedule a pickup or anything.  If I have a whole bunch, I just go to the Post Office.

Anything over 5 lbs. or bulky (when we sold driftwood regularly) went DHL.  They had the absolute best rates for us.  They never lost or damaged a package in the two years we used them and every package was delivered on time.  Most packages (exception out west) were delivered within 2 - 3 days.  Out West took up to 5 days.  There were many times our packages were delivered from TN to NY by 10:00 the next morning - ground service.

Their oversize package rates were the best.  We had a lot of those with the driftwood and their charge was only $16.40 (boxes that were rated at the 30lb. rate due to dimensions).

Their regular package rates were also great.  Most of our shipments ran $10 - $12. Small boxes (5 lbs) ran $5 - $8.  If you setup an account with them and you AVERAGE shipping around 30+ things per month, you will get a discounted rate.  Plus you get a discount for using their online shipping to print your labels (which they will provide you with labels for free). 

They did charge a residential delivery surcharge which usually ran around $2.00 (if I remember right) and occasionally they had a 'third party delivery service' which cost $7.00 (again if memory serves me correctly).

Our driver was the best.  We had his cell phone number and he would come by earlier or later if we needed him to.


My experience with UPS was ok.  No complaints, no accolades. 
Rates higher than DHL, service about the same.  Boxes did tend to look a bit more abused though.


FedEx will not work with a home business at all in our area.  Every time I ever used them, the upfront price was cheaper (the one I quoted my buyer), but then I would get hit with an outrageous surcharge after the fact.  Once it was $90 because they decided the box was more oversized than they originally quoted (we had given EXACT dimensions & weight when we got the quote).      Last time I ever used them.


These were just my experiences in my neck of the woods.  Your mileage may vary.   

[farvelcargo]

Can I just say what a wonderful and informative thread this is. 

 

[2boysandtoys]

Deb - thanks 4 also sharing your experience.  You are so correct on the YMMV - but - I will make an effort to give DHL a few more opportunities!  I will say that my mail carrier is also awesome.  And - I love my UPS and FedEx delivery folks.  I do a ton of shopping on line and get prolly 5-15 packages a week.  They are 'well-trained' and a joy to work with.

They all know my dog goes psycho when the door bell rings so either set the boxes on the porch and knock 2 times or knock 3 times if it needs a siggie or to come in (too much 4 the porch or it's raining)...

I think we need to keep sharing so if one company starts to 'miss' the mark, we all know.  Also, if one 'shines' - that's need to know info too!   

[QUILT]

I love this site.