Sending Photo equip. USPS vs. Fedex

Which do you guys recommend is better. This will be the first time sending something. I've had great luck sending golf equipment via fedex, but its a little expensive.

I'm considering using USPS since prices are more reasonable. Does anyone know if the box has to be brown to send usps or does it matter? Of all boxes, i have an empty diaper box that fits the items perfect, but the box is all different colors and says pampers cruisers all over it. lol

thanks!!

In my experience with shipping a large number of packages I would ship Fed Ex, UPS and then USPS in that order. While the rates with USPS are attractive their tracking is horrible. Also, when a package goes missing the first 2 have a fair chance of finding it. When USPS loses one it usually stays lost. That's just my experience FWIW.

Scott

Whenever I send something fragile, I choose FedEx over USPS. I only USPS when I ship stuff like clothes, books, etc.

Even though FedEx costs a little more, they are more careful with stuff. In my experience, the second I hand something over to the cashier at USPS, they toss it into the outgoing bin or whatever it is. I ship out a lot of stuff and this happens every time. I definitely would not want them to toss a box with a lens in it!

If you do choose to go the USPS route, the box has to be pretty plain. They ask that you completely cover all existing labels on the outside. I'm pretty sure this is the case with any shipping company, because it just takes more time to sort packages if the box is littered with advertisements. If you're going to use your Pampers box, just flip it inside out--that's what I do with all my boxes.

usps is good for items that do not have a high value. usps's rates are very attractive until you add in insuruance.

thanks guys. appreciate the feedback. will def. go fedex route!

If anything else... FedX tracking is much better as well. To me it seemed their tracking is pretty much live, when your package is scanned you will find where it is on the site (i think their scanners are docked in the trucks and info is put out by satellite).

MrSteve wrote in post #8200451
If anything else... FedX tracking is much better as well. To me it seemed their tracking is pretty much live, when your package is scanned you will find where it is on the site (i think their scanners are docked in the trucks and info is put out by satellite).

i agree. usps is a little faster for priority, but their tracking system is horrible. On a lot of packages, they don't update until after its delivered. whats the point?

if you have a samsclub membership and do fedex online you can save.

bigcountry wrote in post #8200033
usps is good for items that do not have a high value. usps's rates are very attractive until you add in insuruance.

Agreed. It usually ends up being more expensive than both FedEx and UPS. I really don't like USPS' tracking system either. I also don't like the fact that if a package goes missing it takes up to a few weeks for them to even have any information on it.

kekoa wrote in post #8200558
i agree. usps is a little faster for priority, but their tracking system is horrible. On a lot of packages, they don't update until after its delivered. whats the point?

Well, the thing with USPS is they don't really offer tracking, but only Delivery Confirmation, hence they only tell you when it's been delivered.

Between FedEx, UPS, and USPS:

- FedEx is the most likely to get the item there on time and in one piece, followed by UPS, then by, way off in the distance, USPS.
- UPS is the easiest to work with when something goes wrong (lost, damaged, etc.), assuming you bought insurance, followed by FedEx, then by, again, way down on the list, USPS.
- USPS is likely the cheapest as long as your box isn't over 2 or 3 lbs, then UPS, then FedEx. For packages over 5-6 lbs USPS will likely be the most expensive. USPS Insurance will bump them out of the running as well, so only send cheap stuff.

Overall, my choice would be UPS, then FedEx. I refuse to send anything but letters via USPS.

gisk wrote in post #8198841
they toss it into the outgoing bin or whatever it is. I ship out a lot of stuff and this happens every time. I definitely would not want them to toss a box with a lens in it!

And when you question them on how they handle the packages, they just say that it should be packed well to handle that because their process is going to do that!

well, for golf equipment ups is notorious for snapping shafts somehow. Golf guys stay away from ups like the plague. that said, seems like a lot of camera shops send goods via ups. hmmm

i just send a body and lens via fedex. charged me $22!! wow!!! i almost passed out.

kekoa wrote in post #8201968
well, for golf equipment ups is notorious for snapping shafts somehow. Golf guys stay away from ups like the plague. that said, seems like a lot of camera shops send goods via ups. hmmm

i just send a body and lens via fedex. charged me $22!! wow!!! i almost passed out.

If you add insurance, it probably would've been double that amount. I remember paying about $75 for 4 lenses with insurance not too long ago.

Seven Ocean wrote in post #8202184
If you add insurance, it probably would've been double that amount. I remember paying about $75 for 4 lenses with insurance not too long ago.

fedex doesn't insure per se. you just need to state the value for replacement. I guess thats more or less insurance, but they don't call it that.