I ordered some stuff once that came FedEx. I paid for ground shipping so I didn't expect it to come fast. Because I live out in the middle of nowhere, they ship to the nearest city (Bend), about 150 miles away and then hand it off to a private contractor to deliver to us. The private contractor delivers whenever they get around to it.
So I'm watching my package progress and it gets to Portland, goes on to Bend and is given to the private contractor. Two days later, the contractor gives it back to them, saying they can't find the address, even though they've delivered here before. Bend sends it back to Portland, Portland sends it back to Bend, where it's given to the private contractor. A week later he shows up and gives me the package.
Basically, having had a dozen or so packages shipped FedEx and having the contractor take anywhere from 3 days to a week to get here, I've come to the conclusion that they just take packages and wait until they feel like they have enough to make it worth the trip.
UPS, on the other hand, delivers it to me the same day if it gets to K. Falls (also about 150 miles) before 6 am. In the 4 years I've lived here I've never had FedEx get me a package on the day they say they will, and UPS has only failed to deliver two or three times, and every time was due to snow in the mountains. I always try to get stuff Priority Mail or UPS. I try as much as possible to avoid companies that use FedEx.
The funny thing about UPS though, is whenever I get something from CA. It comes north, stops at Roseburg, goes on N to Portland, goes back to Roseburg and then on to K. Falls and to me. Seems a little odd. But at least when it ships and I see a delivery date, I can expect to get it on the delivery date.
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David Chamberlain
2004 F-250 SD, 4x4 FX4, 6.0L PSD
Oregon Chapter Member: To join the Oregon Chapter, click HERE
I agree on the avoid Fedex, Bass pro shops told me that they have made Fedex their only shipper, I sent them back saying as long as that is the case I won't be buying from them.
I request usps now when ordering from the states, ups has a brokerage fee that just kills me, 40 bucks on a 48 dollar product is absolutely ridiculous.
UPS comes to us for the 30-50 packages we ship a day
insurance is included for the 1st 100 bucks
tracking is standard
Maybe things have changed in the past few years with the usps
Times have changed with the USPS and they are out to capture as much business as possible. It's definately worth a little research if a savings can be had with no sacrifice in service.
Tim
__________________ Tim SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
A plane would be 1 thing BUT this package is on a truck NOT a plane. Had it been on a plane it would have went to Indianapolis first.
Also if you use fedex next day, it WILL go on a plane even if your only sending it down the block.
True, I was thinking it was a next day air/air thing.
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Scot
2010 Mustang GT Premium Kona Blue and tricked out
2009 F-150 Platinum (AKA The Death Star) Black, 4x4
1999 F-150 XLT Flairside, Gone but not forgotten
My parents live in a small southern Utah town right off I-15. If they mail anything USPS to an address in town, it first goes 200 miles north to Provo, Utah, then back to their town. It's faster for me to mail from Salt Lake to them than it is for them to mail something across town.
My parents live in a small southern Utah town right off I-15. If they mail anything USPS to an address in town, it first goes 200 miles north to Provo, Utah, then back to their town. It's faster for me to mail from Salt Lake to them than it is for them to mail something across town.
That's just dumb!
That is the unfortunate truth and I'm certain that - that applies to all ground shippers as well. The mail goes to the plant via the various post offices that the plant serves and every piece is machine sorted in a variety of ways. Yes it's very expensive but it's the only way and your 1st class letter normally makes to it's destination faster than you would expect anyway. So, it's all good.
I service 785 mail boxes every day as a city carrier. Half of my route is apartments and the other half are private single family homes. The apartments send thier bills out on a Monday for instance becuase I pick them up as out going mail and I deliver these very same bills the next day.
The Postal Service is in every home in the country 6 days a week and you'll never hear us say that we couldn't find your address. Most of us have the same carrier everyday and many of us have a friendly relationship with our carriers that helps to create a bond and hopefully more business.
I personally believe that UPS and Fedex do a good job. I believe that we provide a better and more well rounded service.
Tim
__________________ Tim SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
Maybe 'off-topic', but it's not competition from Fedex and UPS with parcel shipping that's killing the USPS......It's the fact that so much crap is done online now, including paying bills, etc......
Personally, I've no bich with the USPS......Never had anything lost, and I've never had stuff sent to me that took more than a couple or three days........Or sent stuff out that took longer than that.
When I'm sending a package, I prefer USPS. I LIKE the fact that I can go online, print a pre-paid Priority Mail label, stick it on the box and drop it off at the Post Office. I can print my own prepaid labels with UPS and order a pickup, but that adds a day, and they are quite a bit more expensive.
I do like UPS's tracking system. USPS could improve theirs.
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David Chamberlain
2004 F-250 SD, 4x4 FX4, 6.0L PSD
Oregon Chapter Member: To join the Oregon Chapter, click HERE
Maybe 'off-topic', but it's not competition from Fedex and UPS with parcel shipping that's killing the USPS......It's the fact that so much crap is done online now, including paying bills, etc......
Personally, I've no bich with the USPS......Never had anything lost, and I've never had stuff sent to me that took more than a couple or three days........Or sent stuff out that took longer than that.
And the damned stamps don't cost THAT much!!!
I tried to rep ya but the stupid program wouldn't let me. Thanks for that post and you sir are spot on.
Tim
__________________ Tim SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
Sorry to hear about your problem with FedEx. Personally have never had a problem with FedEx, but UPS is another story. Usually things arrive from UPS in pieces, then they don't honor their own insurance.
Another funny thing in some of my smaller post offices in the mountains UPS wont deliver to the addresses they go to the nearest post office and the mailman finishes delivering the package for them. DHL also did this before they pulled out of our area.
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1986 F250HD 4X4 4speed 460
1972 F250 C6 360 motor dead
1967 Mercury comet Rebuilding
2006 Ford Fusion DD
Tim brought up a good example: carriers know their customers! I worked for 30+ years in a small Pennsylvania town delivering the mail to about 675 homes daily. The best part of the job was that for the entire 30 years I was on the same route!. Not too many carriers can say that, nor can too many people say they have had the same mailman for 30 years! Great memories watching kids grow up, attending weddings and funerals, and being an important part of their daily life. A little off the topic, but just my .02...........
ups drivers know their customers just as well, I knew both the driver (steve) when I lived with my parents, hell, if he was delivering something cool, he'd hang out while i opened it.
Chuck , our current driver picks up 30-50 boxes a day from work, if we're running behind, he'll help weigh boxes.
I'm not knocking the usps, but don't think they're the only ones who know their customers
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06 F250 CC v10 4x4 Lariat
RIP BIG GREEN owned her from 08.17.04 - 05.10.08
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