Poorboy
Founder Poorboy's World
I have heard that the new FED-EX ground is faster and cheaper than UPS...they are also advertising international services...does anyone have experience with shipping via FED-EX?:nixweiss
UPS vs FED-EX
- Thread starter Poorboy
- Start date
imported_Aurora40
New member
I've had experience recieving stuff from Fed-Ex. They just toss it at my door and continue on. I've even been home when they do it and they make no attempt to ring the door bell and deliver the package to an actual person. That always annoyed me. But then we moved, and here UPS does the same thing. Although that isn't as bad as the USPS guy that left a package right in the driveway (not off the side or anything) when my wife was home (again, no attempt to ring the doorbell). She didin't discover the package until it was underneath her rear tire... What kind of idiot would leave a package right in someones driveway?
Anyway, I've never found UPS, FedEx, or USPS to be stand out professionally. I'd say go with whichever is cheaper and provides easy tracking. In that sense, I like UPS ground... :nixweiss
Anyway, I've never found UPS, FedEx, or USPS to be stand out professionally. I'd say go with whichever is cheaper and provides easy tracking. In that sense, I like UPS ground... :nixweiss
Poorboy
Founder Poorboy's World
Thanks Bob...recently had a package from UPS left at side of house ...left it with it pouring out and my door was wide open...I must have been busy...got me real :angry ...then a friend said that FED-EX...same service more or less is about 25% cheaper.
Poorboy
Founder Poorboy's World
Ed we must have the same driver ..lol I get UPS at 5-6pm and I see the Fed-Ex guy passing in the morning
ps we must get together and play:wavey
ps we must get together and play:wavey
Poorboy
Founder Poorboy's World
If it's 25% less for shipping ..does it matter to Autopians?
Seems like the long haul packages would benefit:nixweiss
Seems like the long haul packages would benefit:nixweiss
imported_BretFraz
New member
I've sent hundreds of packages with both services. For me, FedEx is the best choice. Especially sending document packages to urban areas.
Where UPS has always shined is shipping items via ground truck and servicing the small towns and rural areas. If you are sending a package to Nowheresville, Kansas, typically this is where UPS shines. Not that FedEx can't do that but it seems as if its UPS' specialty. FedEx rules the skys and focuses on overnight delivery of documents, packages, etc.
UPS seems to work better with small and medium sized business while FedEx does much better with large companies.
Both do international shipping very well as does DHL. When I sent that wedding package to Steven (Lowejackson) I used UPS because they were a couple dollars cheaper and their paperwork was simpler. It went from Atlanta to England in three days.
If you watch UPS' ads ("what can brown do for you?") you'll see them targeting businesses who need solutions help, FedEx's core business. Several years ago FedEx bought a trucking-based shipping company (their name escapes me...) so they could compete better with UPS for the low priced, ground transported delivery business.
Anyway, that pretty much exhausts my knowledge of the two companies. If you read this far thanks for viewing my brain dump.
Where UPS has always shined is shipping items via ground truck and servicing the small towns and rural areas. If you are sending a package to Nowheresville, Kansas, typically this is where UPS shines. Not that FedEx can't do that but it seems as if its UPS' specialty. FedEx rules the skys and focuses on overnight delivery of documents, packages, etc.
UPS seems to work better with small and medium sized business while FedEx does much better with large companies.
Both do international shipping very well as does DHL. When I sent that wedding package to Steven (Lowejackson) I used UPS because they were a couple dollars cheaper and their paperwork was simpler. It went from Atlanta to England in three days.
If you watch UPS' ads ("what can brown do for you?") you'll see them targeting businesses who need solutions help, FedEx's core business. Several years ago FedEx bought a trucking-based shipping company (their name escapes me...) so they could compete better with UPS for the low priced, ground transported delivery business.
Anyway, that pretty much exhausts my knowledge of the two companies. If you read this far thanks for viewing my brain dump.
UPS would be my choice. Driver usually leaves the package in the
door, excellent tracking, very reliable. Fedex Ground (the old RPS),
usually takes an extra day for delivery, many times I've received
the package before tracking information is posted on the website.
I'll take UPS anytime over Fedex ground.
door, excellent tracking, very reliable. Fedex Ground (the old RPS),
usually takes an extra day for delivery, many times I've received
the package before tracking information is posted on the website.
I'll take UPS anytime over Fedex ground.
Poorboy
Founder Poorboy's World
I checked a package I sent to Cailfornia ...they were both 5 days and the Fed-Ex was about $5 cheaper!!!
So you're saying that you'd rather deal with reliabilty and tracking, rather than a few extra dollars dollars.....
BretFratz ...thanks ..I don't mind rambling... lol
So you're saying that you'd rather deal with reliabilty and tracking, rather than a few extra dollars dollars.....
BretFratz ...thanks ..I don't mind rambling... lol
Nick T.
New member
In my experience UPS easily beats FedEx in rural areas, but in urban areas it’s about a toss-up.
imported_Kyle
New member
UPS for me, they are located closer to my place. I dont know why but when I check the rate online, UPS has better price than Fedex..
btw, Airborne has free shipping (upto $10) at OfficeMax with they ad paper (ends today).
btw, Airborne has free shipping (upto $10) at OfficeMax with they ad paper (ends today).
imported_Aurora40
New member
Poorboy said:
Well, then Fed-Ex might be the way to go. If you can still get the tracking and 2-3 day delivery for less, it sounds fine. There is certainly nothing special that you get from UPS...
Magellan498
New member
I would definately have to say UPS. I was ordering large sized products from a bike place in Indianapolis (or sumwhere around there) and it only took 2-3 days for the stuff to arrive here in Texas! I was really happy since I only payed for ground shipping. 
Steve @ Guru
New member
I spent a few months in the "shipping business" (think something like Mail Boxes, ETC), and the differences are as such (from my perspective):
Fed-Ex Ground
=========
+ Less expensive, when shipping the same sized item, same weight, to the same location as UPS, usually by about $3 - $5.
+ Free FedEx Ground boxing supplies if needed
- Claims service. God forbid they ever damage or lose your package, b/c even WITH their insurance, it's nearly impossible to get them to resolve the claim. Horrible. So bad that I refuse to do business with them anymore - we had 3 simple claims, all were drawn out so long that they "expired"...ugh.
- Poor customer service/accountability. As many have mentioned, they often throw stuff on the doorstep and run. Same with pick-up service. We had them take a few UPS packages w/o checking...we got them back about a week later, which didn't make the customers too happy.
FedEx Express
=========
+ Leader in overnight shipping.
+ Less expensive than UPS for critical items.
- "Guarantee" policy is BS. They claim that if a package isn't delievered within a 30 minute time frame, you don't pay for the service...Yeah, right. Try getting it from them...
UPS Ground
========
+ Good claim service. We had numerous packages that were lost in shipping, UPS owned up to the problem, sent settlement check within a few weeks.
+ Reliable pick-up service. They scan each item as they pick-it-up, which cuts down on errors (see FedEx ground fiasco).
+ Great reporting system/service. Their tracking and invoicing is top-notch.
- More expensive, usually.
- B/C they're larger, people tend to take "pot shots" at them - of course, the more you do something, the more likelihood there is for error...
UPS Express
========
- Pricey
- Not as consistent as FedEx
+ It's UPS, so claims are processed better.
Lately, I've been using Airborne Express for my personal stuff, or the USPS. I've found that Priority Mail has been beating UPS 3-day service with some regularity. Although, if you ship anything with any size or weight, USPS is horrible... Consider:
20"x20"x10" box, 25lbs from DC to AR, insured for $400.00 -
USPS = $30.95
UPS Ground = $15.72
FedEx Ground = $11.85
Fed-Ex Ground
=========
+ Less expensive, when shipping the same sized item, same weight, to the same location as UPS, usually by about $3 - $5.
+ Free FedEx Ground boxing supplies if needed
- Claims service. God forbid they ever damage or lose your package, b/c even WITH their insurance, it's nearly impossible to get them to resolve the claim. Horrible. So bad that I refuse to do business with them anymore - we had 3 simple claims, all were drawn out so long that they "expired"...ugh.
- Poor customer service/accountability. As many have mentioned, they often throw stuff on the doorstep and run. Same with pick-up service. We had them take a few UPS packages w/o checking...we got them back about a week later, which didn't make the customers too happy.
FedEx Express
=========
+ Leader in overnight shipping.
+ Less expensive than UPS for critical items.
- "Guarantee" policy is BS. They claim that if a package isn't delievered within a 30 minute time frame, you don't pay for the service...Yeah, right. Try getting it from them...
UPS Ground
========
+ Good claim service. We had numerous packages that were lost in shipping, UPS owned up to the problem, sent settlement check within a few weeks.
+ Reliable pick-up service. They scan each item as they pick-it-up, which cuts down on errors (see FedEx ground fiasco).
+ Great reporting system/service. Their tracking and invoicing is top-notch.
- More expensive, usually.
- B/C they're larger, people tend to take "pot shots" at them - of course, the more you do something, the more likelihood there is for error...
UPS Express
========
- Pricey
- Not as consistent as FedEx
+ It's UPS, so claims are processed better.
Lately, I've been using Airborne Express for my personal stuff, or the USPS. I've found that Priority Mail has been beating UPS 3-day service with some regularity. Although, if you ship anything with any size or weight, USPS is horrible... Consider:
20"x20"x10" box, 25lbs from DC to AR, insured for $400.00 -
USPS = $30.95
UPS Ground = $15.72
FedEx Ground = $11.85
Has everyone forgotten the USPS? I ship via FedEx, UPS, and the USPS. As far as I'm conjcerned you get a lot more bang for the buck using Express mail or Priority Mail for smaller parcels.
For larger packages I've always preferred UPS ground but I recently discovered that Airborne is cheaper.
Another thing to consider is a freight service. I use a huge company called Danzas (they own DHL) for packages of 50 lbs and more. They are chheaper, faster, and more reliable than UPS, FedEx, Airborne, or anyone else I have checked with.
For International shipments (in or out of the USA) I use FedEx for shipments below 500 lbs and Danzas for shipments over that weight. Believe it or not FedEx is very competitive for import/export.
For larger packages I've always preferred UPS ground but I recently discovered that Airborne is cheaper.
Another thing to consider is a freight service. I use a huge company called Danzas (they own DHL) for packages of 50 lbs and more. They are chheaper, faster, and more reliable than UPS, FedEx, Airborne, or anyone else I have checked with.
For International shipments (in or out of the USA) I use FedEx for shipments below 500 lbs and Danzas for shipments over that weight. Believe it or not FedEx is very competitive for import/export.
ntoddalbert
New member
UPS and FedEx announced merger plans this morning
The new company will be Called FedUp
The new company will be Called FedUp
Poorboy
Founder Poorboy's World
Thanks for the feed back....looks like most prefer UPS...
USPS used to be a favorite of mine, but since 9/11 they are very touchy about shipping liquids...they have a long list...some places will and other won't....
Fed-EX certainly will get the international business, but i guess UPS will still be the main choice..thanks to all who paticipated and geekysteve thanks for the inside info...
USPS used to be a favorite of mine, but since 9/11 they are very touchy about shipping liquids...they have a long list...some places will and other won't....
Fed-EX certainly will get the international business, but i guess UPS will still be the main choice..thanks to all who paticipated and geekysteve thanks for the inside info...