UPS up charges

**imported_turbomangt** · 05-11-2006, 06:17 AM

Most of you know I sell products on my web site, and I have been using a local UPS store to ship my products. Well, the other day a UPS driver stopped by my shop and asked if I needed their service, I told him I was already using UPS and where I was dropping. he said I was paying like 35% more than if I worked with them direct. Hmmmm, I said I would look into it. So the next day when I dropped off my orders, I asked the owner of the UPSstore what the up charge was for having them fill out my labels. She said 3-4%. Ok, that sounds reasonable, I could live with that. But to satisfy myself I bought a scale and started monitoring prices at the retail store and what I would pay if I printed my own labels. I was shocked to discover the prices were averaging $28-33% MORE at the retail store. This really upsets me. My shipping bills are averaging $1100 a month. saving 30% is HUGE. I have since stopped going to the retail outlet, and now have my wife pack and weigh the orders. I want to write the owner a letter about why I stopped going there, but I`m not sure how to come across, as I`m really upset over this. Did she lie when she told me the mark up was 3-4%, or didn`t she know? Gary

**EBPcivicsi** · 05-11-2006, 06:53 AM

Perhaps it`s not the shipping, but the handling that gotcha.

I have never dealt with a retail store like that, but I would imagine that there *must* be a cost to operate such a store.

FWIW, you should be able to get all of the supplies that you need to print your own labels for free from UPS online.

**gmblack3** · 05-11-2006, 07:28 AM

Sounds like you are on the right path to saving some serious cash. All you need is an online account (which is free) a scale that will get you close and PC/Printer. You can print out the lables on regular paper and tape them to the box with clear tape. You can give them to a UPS driver if he is dropping off other items at your place or take them all to the UPS store and they will accpet them. They should print you out a receipt with the tracking # and the weight on it.

**RCBuddha** · 05-11-2006, 08:23 AM

Gary,

I worked for a company who was using UPS to ship their products. What they did was fill out all relevant shipping info, using the UPS proprietary software, and it would get sent off to UPS over the net. From there, a UPS driver would be routed to stop by and pick up the package or packages. On slow days, he would often stop by and check to see if we had anything. I believe that the tracking # was generated by the software. You can get the labels thru UPS (I think), and they print in any standard inkjet printer. I`m not sure if you can pre-label your packages and drop them off at the store (something you might wanna check into) but I remember that the UPS store was adamant about packing the items themselves.

I am not surprised that the markup is so high for the UPS store, I stopped using them after finding the USPS automated machine to be much quicker and less expensive when shipping stuff to addresses in the US. I wouldn`t be surprised if the manager knew the markup, but didn`t tell ya.

**Scottwax** · 05-11-2006, 03:32 PM

Shipping stores are a rip-off, they were charging me about double what the post office charged for Priority mail.

**gmblack3** · 05-11-2006, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by RCBuddha

Gary,

I worked for a company who was using UPS to ship their products. What they did was fill out all relevant shipping info, using the UPS proprietary software, and it would get sent off to UPS over the net. From there, a UPS driver would be routed to stop by and pick up the package or packages. On slow days, he would often stop by and check to see if we had anything. I believe that the tracking # was generated by the software. You can get the labels thru UPS (I think), and they print in any standard inkjet printer. I`m not sure if you can pre-label your packages and drop them off at the store (something you might wanna check into) but I remember that the UPS store was adamant about packing the items themselves.

I am not surprised that the markup is so high for the UPS store, I stopped using them after finding the USPS automated machine to be much quicker and less expensive when shipping stuff to addresses in the US. I wouldn`t be surprised if the manager knew the markup, but didn`t tell ya.

I am 100% sure that you can label yourself from UPS.com and take it to the UPS store. I have done it at least 50 times.

**BobD** · 05-12-2006, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

I am 100% sure that you can label yourself from UPS.com and take it to the UPS store. I have done it at least 50 times.

Yep, you just package them and take them to the store to drop them off. You print the label online yourself and stick it to the package. I do this all of the time if my UPS guy comes super early or if I miss him for some reason.

**imported_WCD** · 05-12-2006, 06:56 AM

Gary,

We use FedX Ground almost exclusively now, but some customers ask for UPS from time to time. I print the labels off the UPS site, put them in a free UPS sleeve, and that`s it. All the billing is online.

Rob

**Setec Astronomy** · 05-12-2006, 07:06 AM

I had that same sticker shock at a UPS Store. I had to return a small item I bought online, and stopped by a local UPS Store. First the guy tells me it will be $35. After I picked myself off the floor, it turns out that was for Blue or Red, so I tell him I want ground. It still seemed high, so I checked at work, and our business rate was much lower. I chalked it up to them including some (a lot?) of overhead for packing items themselves and adding that to all shipments (even though mine was all boxed and ready to go)...although it could be they are just a RIPOFF preying on a public that doesn`t know any better.