Shipping-USPS vs. "OTHERS"

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bandg

Member
Apr 24, 2016
3,776
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Arkansas, United States
I bet most have seen shipping issues of one type or another for items ordered in different areas these days. And USPS certainly has had more than it's share of issues. Many have noted how much "better" some of the "others" have been in comparison to USPS, while still other folks have noted that USPS has been OK in their areas. I have an interesting illustration ongoing in relation to this issue.

About a week ago I placed a single order for several items from a retailer that used FedEx. I received tracking numbers for all items from the retailer and FedEx indicating when delivery was expected. Deliveries were expected on 4/28, 4/29, and 4/30. All good service, very quick. Items did start arriving on 4/28 as indicated. Other items arrived on 4/29 as indicated. All pretty fast and good service. But the items due on 4/30 didn't arrive. Checked outside, looked at the neighbors, nothing found. No e-mail updates indicating a problem or delay. Checked the FedEx tracking number on 4/30 in the evening and it showed the item was "awaiting receipt by FedEx" in Chino, Ca. but would be delivered on 4/30. Must be that jet service that USPS does't have or maybe one of them drones😁. 5/1 I get an e-mail showing the item "out for delivery" so 1 day later than predicted. Not a problem. But I looked closer at the e-mail and it showed that the item had arrived in Olive Branch, Ms. on 5/1 but was still expected for delivery on 4/30. Seems FedEx must have solved that time travel thing, We don't need no stinkin' drones!!! Olive Branch , Ms. is about 150 miles from my location. I'm interested in seeing when this package actually arrives as "out for delivery" from 150 miles away would be pretty darn good "delivery", especially since our local FedEx terminal is about 15 miles from here.

This isn't intended as a defense of USPS or to say that USPS has been issue free. USPS has had plenty of issues. And a day or two delay isn't a big deal in this instance. But where I am, UPS and FedEx (illustrated here but UPS has done similar things locally) have both had their issues with delivery and accurate tracking as well. All relative, especially these days.
 
It's really hard to say who will even deliver to your door these days. I have had FedEx give me tracking on an order, from back east to Oregon. Even though there is a FedEx distribution center three miles from me, I watched the tracking, and they shipped it past the center and 170 miles up into Washington where the tracking info ended and they handed it off to USPS. USPS finally delivered the package four to five days late without any tracking involved. Gee thanks FedEx

It is very difficult to wait for things that the addiction says you have to have right away. So, I wish they wouldn't do these sort of things as they cause me much stress and grief.
 
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At one time I rated 

  1. USPS
  2. UPS
  3. Fedex 
    [/LIST=1]

    Lately USPS has slipped a little
    1. UPS
    2. USPS
    3. Fedex
      [/LIST=1]

      With UPS and USPS I have the same person delivering on a predictable schedule. With Fedex. I never know who the driver will be, what time of day it will arrive and Fedex seldom delivers on the date promised. They leave items out in the rain too. My USPS and UPS drivers will place items inside my porch if they won't fit inside my mailbox in the case of USPS.



      My Air Venturi Avenger was shipped Fedex with adult signature required. I made a point to stay home all day on the delivery date due to their erratic schedule. It didn't come until the next day!



      I now will pay extra to avoid Fedex delivery.
 
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I really didn't know that FedEx would turn something over to USPS. Sure seems odd but lots of things are hard to understand these days. And frustrating it can be.
Click to expand...

It's called "smart post" and it usually involves delays.
Click to expand...

Same experience with FED EX passing off to USPS but package delivers on time...no updates,etc.. just shows up.....
Click to expand...

Seems to clearly illustrate individual or regional differences. "Usually involves delays" might be a bit much. 'Sometimes involves delays" might be more applicable to more people.
 
Upvote 0
I really didn't know that FedEx would turn something over to USPS. Sure seems odd but lots of things are hard to understand these days. And frustrating it can be.
Click to expand...

It's called "smart post" and it usually involves delays.
Click to expand...

Same experience with FED EX passing off to USPS but package delivers on time...no updates,etc.. just shows up.....
Click to expand...

Seems to clearly illustrate individual or regional differences. "Usually involves delays" might be a bit much. 'Sometimes involves delays" might be more applicable to more people.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should have worded that differently.

Usually involves added shipping time.
 
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Depends on where you live and where you sending it to. I sold an air gun to a guy in NY and it took over 2 weeks from TN, which usually takes 3 days via USPS. I would have normally sent it UPS but he requested USPS because he works night shift and could leave it at the post office. I sold one to a guy in Hawaii and it took almost 3 weeks to get the MO and 3 weeks for the gun to make it there via USPS. I'm not a fan of the USPS for air guns, but there again the guy wanted to use them. I waited so long for the MO to arrive that I almost put the gun back up for sale. 

Where I live in TN it seems:

1. UPS

2. FedEx

3. USPS
 
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Fed ex and ups hand off to usps for final delivery. Fed ex not so much anymore but ups does a lot.

Usps handles much more volume than the other two.

I'm a mail carrier and our PO has double the pkgs volume of two years ago.

During Christmas a truck driver told me that he usually goes straight into loading docks 45 to 47 in ATL. This year he had about an hour wait every night.

All three have been stressed to keep up with volume.

I think the $1.400 checks are about gone now. Most folks decided to hand them over the Cramazon in exchange for Chinese goods.


 
Upvote 0
I really didn't know that FedEx would turn something over to USPS. Sure seems odd but lots of things are hard to understand these days. And frustrating it can be.
Click to expand...

It's called "smart post" and it usually involves delays.
Click to expand...

Same experience with FED EX passing off to USPS but package delivers on time...no updates,etc.. just shows up.....
Click to expand...

Seems to clearly illustrate individual or regional differences. "Usually involves delays" might be a bit much. 'Sometimes involves delays" might be more applicable to more people.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should have worded that differently.

Usually involves added shipping time.
Click to expand...

Seems so. Thanks for pointing out the SMARTPOST distinction. I had heard the term but paid no attention to what it referred to.
 
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Ups is the most reliable delivery service around here. Fedex contracts delivery out so the driver that hands you a package doesn't work for fedex. Usps took 3 weeks to deliver a stock I bought from a member on GTA. It took 6 days to go 128 miles to Dallas from where he mailed it. Then a couple of days to go to Phoenix which is about 2.5 hrs from me. Next thing I see it's in NC, wth????? Sits there 6 or so days then it's off to Salt lake UT.🤬🤬 Finally my rifle stock got tired of it's travels and went back to Phoenix and the next day to my PO and the Postal service needs more money 🤑🤔. 
 
Upvote 0
Fed ex and ups hand off to usps for final delivery. Fed ex not so much anymore but ups does a lot.

Usps handles much more volume than the other two.

I'm a mail carrier and our PO has double the pkgs volume of two years ago.

During Christmas a truck driver told me that he usually goes straight into loading docks 45 to 47 in ATL. This year he had about an hour wait every night.

All three have been stressed to keep up with volume.

I think the $1.400 checks are about gone now. Most folks decided to hand them over the Cramazon in exchange for Chinese goods.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the illustrations and opinions. Interesting.
 
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When I buy a used airgun on here or any fourm. I asked to be shipped FedEx. Now that they are in all walgreens and open 24/7 you can't beat it. I always have it directed there and can pick up at anytime. You know like I do everyone ships a 1500 - 2000 dollar airgun that you have to sign for.

If they won't ship FedEx I don't need the gun that bad. FedEx will beat USPS price any day of the week.

I was just almost gonna pull the trigger on a silver FX Impact .25 emailed back and forth alot. I gave my phone number twice and asked to talk… Not a peep about wanting to talk from the seller. That is a big red flag to me.

You don't have time to talk… I don't have time to buy. I don't want to buy your problems. :)





.
 
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In my area UPS has the best delivery and USPS is second, my reasons for this is those two are the only delivery folks that bring the pkg up to my door! Fedex is very popular in my area but they pull into my drive, ( a long country drive) and simply throw the pkg out the door and leave it lay in the drive, no matter whether it is raining or not! Currently I am home most ofvthe time as I am retired, but frequently come home and find pkgs laying in the drive. Have comolained numerous times to fedex but nothing has ever been done about it. UPS always brings the pkg up under my back porch to keep it out of the weather, and USPS dooes that most of the time, but fedex....never!
 
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I have likely shipped 100k or more packages over the last 20 years and even though USPS has more brain dead people than the US government i did not have many issues with claims. Their biggest problem is collecting on claims

When they goofed it was a cluster but 99.5% if not more arrived on time

I had an online archery shop in a warehouse at my home so the carrier would drive behind my home to the shop to pick up.

One day she wasnt watiching what she was doing and drove right over a very large crossbow, never collected from them. Thankfully it was only a damaged butt stock

The best thing is they are still the cheapest


 
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All three are pretty good here. If USPS loses it or destroys it, good luck.

UPS and FedEx, not so much. I have had notes from FedEx that the package appeared damaged or was leaking, and it was returned for a replacement. Not sure who eats that one, but I don't have to.

We could complain about all of them, but at the same time, none are bad enough to complain in the big picture.
 
Upvote 0
All three are pretty good here. If USPS loses it or destroys it, good luck.

UPS and FedEx, not so much. I have had notes from FedEx that the package appeared damaged or was leaking, and it was returned for a replacement. Not sure who eats that one, but I don't have to.

We could complain about all of them, but at the same time, none are bad enough to complain in the big picture.
Click to expand...

Good level headed view.
 
Upvote 0
All three are pretty good here. If USPS loses it or destroys it, good luck.

UPS and FedEx, not so much. I have had notes from FedEx that the package appeared damaged or was leaking, and it was returned for a replacement. Not sure who eats that one, but I don't have to.

We could complain about all of them, but at the same time, none are bad enough to complain in the big picture.
Click to expand...

Good level headed view.
Click to expand...


LOL. I have been watching an item coming via UPS, and they seem to be good a this. Left Arizona yesterday, sitting in Kentucky today. The destination hub is DALLAS. That is where the lion share of deliveries originate. Tyler gets some , but not many. UPS isn't the only ones who do stuff like this, either.

Things like this drive me up the wall, since I was the shipping guy when I worked. Oh well, it is their fuel, but it does give more opportunity to lose or damage something.
 
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