How do you ship small packages

[not2old]

Ive been selling on eBay for many, many years. Have exclusively used USPS flat rate boxes as most of my stuff is small and light, but I sell it that way and have never had any issues with it. Nearly every package is delivered within 2-3 days. Tracking always spot on. I just sold a 75 foot 4 wire generator cord. With a bit of work I got it into a large flat rate box and shipped it across country for $18. Fedex wanted 45, ups wanted nearly 60. It was a no brainer. Thing weighed nearly 45 pounds.

FYI: I recently made my own similar cord. While Amazon and e-Bay had reasonably priced goods, the shipping I was quoted before purchase ranged from $60.00 to $200.00,making it too expensive.

 

[Howling]

I ship and receive packages on regular basis.

USPS - Good for smaller packages. Flat rate envelopes and boxes are good pricing.

Larger packages
UPS is the largest package company and, in my experience, the roughest on packages (most damage).

FedEx Ground is my choice for standard package delivery. Definitely less damage then UPS.

We use FedEx Express for all overnight and international shipments. Costs more but even better handling of the packages.

FedEx Ground and FedEx Express are basically separate companies operating under the FedEx name.

 

[clemsonfor]

USPS is the cheapest. But often when you get up to 7 pounds it's cheaper on UPS

 

[handtools]

And don't forget that many times actual weight means nothing as they charge for dimensional weight based on the size of the box.

 

[jjp8182]

YMMV is absolutely the case - I've lived several different parts of the country and the quality of service between the big 3 cay vary noticeably (on both the shipping and receiving side) between localities (and drivers).

That being the case (if it's at all practical) I'd recommend making the shipping service a customer pick (with them paying actual shipping fees) as they should have an idea which one of the big three provides the better (or worst) service at their location. If it's not, I'd recommend being clear about which delivery service you're using up front in order to reduce problems for yourself and the customer (there have been times I haven't bought things just because of which delivery service was going to be used).

Though whichever service is used I'd recommend packaging the item with the expectation that it will be thrown, dropped, and otherwise go through things that most people would consider "abuse." That recommendation would stand even if the package is marked appropriately as mistakes/accidents do happen and since the name of the game for almost all delivery services is maximizing throughput it's pretty fair to assume that not every package is going to be treated as nicely as most wish it would.

Of course that's just my :2cents:

 

[PILOON]

Well I'm in Canada and for me USPS/Can Post is the only way.
They respect the waivers, ($75/gift and ??/Commercial) while the others charge all kinds of fees and tax as much as they can.
Same goes to ship out.
I've had $6-9 item cost me over $40.00 for a free shipment with UPS and FexEx.