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Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by user_id
... UPS and Fedex deliver their own packages regardless of size.
I have lived in the boonies ALL my life, and have never had a UPS or FedEx package delivered by the Post Office.
(not saying it couldn't happen)
I have also worked for UPS and FedEx and have not heard of it. I have several relatives with over 30 yrs with the USPS (and UPS and FedEx), I'll ask them about this over x-mas dinner.
This is not true in general, UPS and Fedex deliver their own packages regardless of size.
Apparently UPS collaborates with USPS. Go to www.upsmi.com and click on the Tracking link to see a graphic that explains the interface. One of our orders was shipped using this service and went into a black hole on 11/20/2010.
BTW, does anyone know how to reach Fedex to open an account? We have left messages repeatedly with 1-800-GOFEDEX and haven't gotten any response. Fedex is coming across just as badly as UPS.
Apparently UPS collaborates with USPS. Go to www.upsmi.com and click on the Tracking link to see a graphic that explains the interface. One of our orders was shipped using this service and went into a black hole on 11/20/2010.
There are services for very large volume shippers where they will route the packages to postal hubs for delivery, but otherwise UPS and Fedex are going to deliver their own small packages.
When you need to ship low-weight packages to residential customers, consider efficient, economical FedEx SmartPost service. By utilizing the United States Postal Service® (USPS) for final delivery, FedEx SmartPost reaches every U.S. address, including P.O. boxes and military APO and FPO destinations. You can even use FedEx SmartPost to ship to Alaska, Hawaii and all U.S. territories.
During processing at our secure facilities, mail is weighed, addresses are verified, tracking numbers are assigned and indicia are applied. All pieces undergo a primary and secondary sort prior to induction into the USPS®.
So, yes. UPS and FedEx *do* use USPS to deliver small packages. The fact that it's a specialized service for large volume shippers doesn't mean they aren't doing it.
Last edited by Emeraldmaiden; 12-02-2010 at 11:47 PM..
Reason: forgot link
So, yes. UPS and FedEx *do* use USPS to deliver small packages. The fact that it's a specialized service for large volume shippers doesn't mean they aren't doing it.
UPS does, but that is not how they in general operate, that is a very specialized service, if you're sending a small package by UPS ground, Fedex Home, UPS 2nd day, etc its going to be delivered by the respective company and not USPS regardless of size. There is no middle man to cut in these cases, and in the case of large volume shippers, it makes sense to use this service as they are sending out trucks full of mail each day and it can be more cost effectively routed by another company.
If you're using FEDEX GROUND, there is fine print involved you should know about.
FEDEX does NOT own the GROUND trucks - they're individually owned/franchised. We paid for "guaranteed" overnight delivery recently for a cell phone when dh's died. It took 4 days. We ended up having to buy a disposable so he could leave on his trip.
When I called FEDEX, they explained they are not responsible. The problem was that the driver entered into the system that my address "didn't exist".
When we lived north of DFW, rather than south like now, in a big suburb, FEDEX GROUND didn't do home deliveries - they dropped packages off at the post office, often adding 5-7 days to delivery.
I avoid FEDEX whenever possible. UPS always seems to be able to find our house just fine.
Most of my shipping has been through corporate accounts, and by far UPS was cheaper than FedEx. I've also found the FedEx drivers to be inflexible, rude, surly, and condescending.
We've also had far more broken product with FedEx than UPS (we know how to pack, all of our stuff if fragile).
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