Who's your preferred shipper: UPS, FedEx, or USPS?

[EyeSpy]

I now have everything shipped requiring a signature and they will send a truck and an employee at regular hours.

The new computer required a signature -- I have to wonder if the driver 'signed' for it, himself.

[timelady]

With UPS you can request signature by addressee only (an add-on service), that's what I do with my paintings. At least then if someone else signs for it, forging the signature, it's proveable fraud.

Tina.

[vorokhta]

Dhl

[Dallen]

BEWARE - When shipping Internationally, if the recipient declines to pay Import Duties, FedEx will give them the package and bills YOU for the Duties!!!!!! I learned this lesson the hard way, when I got a bill for Duties from FedEx on an International order I had shipped with them.

I use both USPS and UPS, on anything with a value over 100 I always use UPS if it is being shipped within the US. When I ship to the UK, I always use USPS Priority or Express.

[surreal]

Thanks for the info about Fedex, which I have not used for international shipping, and now, will never use.


when i ship internationally i also ship via USPS, too.

[Bringer]

Hi,

I'm portuguese, but when I send for things from US, it's USPS hands down.
It has proven reliable and affordable.

Best regards,

José

[dianek117]

I always use USPS because our carrier is great! I leave a note in the box for her saying I have a package for her and she comes to the studio for pick-up. So far I have never had a problem with a package.

I didn't have a problem receiving a recent delivery from Fed-ex, but even though I signed for my computer when it was delivered Fed-ex put in the tracking system that it was left at my front door.

[cjorgensen]

I have not shipped any art yet, but in my line of work, I ship loan documents every day by Fed Ex or UPS, depending on who the client has an account with. When I have problems with Fed Ex, they can find it right away. I really can't recall having any problems with Fed Ex. But I know a few times my packages with UPS get lost. This is BAD because they are date-sensitive loan documents and they have to be there NOW! I have had to go down to UPS a couple of times, to the HUB and help rummage through boxes to find my package because it "accidentally" did not get put on the conveyor belt. Sometimes I can't find the package in the tracking system and my boss is yelling at me because the package is LOST, and UPS says,"Well, we update the tracking in 24 hours". Fed Ex has stuff in the system right away and you KNOW where your package is.

One time though, I thought I dropped a package in a UPS drop box and I could not find it in the system. I was petrified. Did I lose it? Did I drop it? What happened? I even waited by the UPS drop box for the man to show and personally looked inside the drop box. It was not there. I knew I was a dead duck. The signed loan documents had vanished. I was sick to my stomach. I called the people to tell them the awful truth and they said, "We have them right here and they arrived on time!" I had dropped the docs with NO air bill and the UPS guy opened them up and figured out where to send them. Whew!

[keemo]

I use USPS 99.9999999% of the time for both US and International shipping. The only time I use UPS or FedEX is if the buyer requests it. UPS and FedEx are just too expensive. I have shipped over 1000 paintings in the last 3 years and have not had a single problem with USPS.

[Pencilletta]

Used USPS for years shipping small 8 x 10 drawings all over the country. No problem. The only time I thought there was a problem someone at the client's home received the drawing and didn't tell the client. Just about gave me heart failure, but all was well.

[LeeLynch]

I use USPS only unless requested otherwise.

The other services are way to expensive for the same basic thing.
UPS takes waaay too long and I can generally get a package there insured for 1/3 the price with USPS.

That said, their tracking really does need an update.

I have shipped about 100 items with USPS domestic and international and have lost one package, to the UK mail system, not on the US side.

I had one package Int. Priority make it to Italy from Dallas in like 5 days, which I was very pleased with. That was a surprise.

[EyeSpy]

Agreed, Lee.

A package that takes six days by UPS, might take only two or three via USPS.

I've had one package go missing (last month) in fourteen years. The United States Postal Service gets my vote.

[toloee]

dhl

[Freesail]

I own a business which sells personalized mini bottles which are used for wedding favors. I find FedEx to be cheaper. My product is made with glass bottles, and I can't recall the last time I ever had anything break. How you package something matters.