Rate increase (FedEx, UPS, & USPS)

[halo]

Got a shock when I went to ship something out today. The price more than doubled since I originally calculated it using the online shipping calculator(s). FedEx said they had an average increase of 4.9% - but what was originally going to cost me $13 was now $28! Am I crazy or is 4.9% of $13 $.63? :confused: $28 is more than twice the price :eek:

[zombie boy 2000]

Tell me about it!!!!!!!

I just shipped a bunch of items and took it in the shorts on every one. I ended up paying double for shipping than I was quoted on-line (and in turn, quoted to the buyers). Ate the difference on every single one of 'em. On one item I pretty much broke even.

4.9% my ass

[BaggedLancer]

holy crap!

I just shipped two items UPS last night and it cost me $53 for one and $49 for the other!

From MA to CA.

Not to mention their signature required service is now $4.30 per package.

Totally insane.

[zombie boy 2000]

Complete garbage... I asked the guy at the FedEx drop-off what the deal was and he said "oh, it happens at the end of every year". BS!! At that rate, it would cost you 7 gazillion dollars just to ship something next door...

Something afoot sez Sherlock.

[halo]

FedEx used to be the least expensive. Now they're all very similar in price. I broke even (thank gawd). At least I know what to do when quoting people from here on out :( That or local pick up only! ;)

[bobman1235]

Gas prices and raises in minimum wage I'm sure contributed. Shitty though.

[WilliamM2]

I just paid $18 to ship a CD player FedEx ground from MI to IL. Last time I shipped a similar package to the same state, it was $8.90.

[WilliamM2]

Gas prices and raises in minimum wage I'm sure contributed.

How could minimum wage increases affect shipping costs? No one at FedEX , USPS, or UPS works for minimum wage, or even close to it.

[zombie boy 2000]

Gives 'em an excuse, though.

[billbillw]

I ship all the time with FedEx Ground and I haven't seen a significant increase. I just shipped a 16lb package from GA to NJ and it was only $10.50, which was exactly what I thought it would be. The real key to estimating shipping with any of the services is to enter a DETAILED package description. If you do a generic (at least with FedEx) it does a 1x1x1 package. When you show up with a 24x20x12 package, its higher because of the oversized package fees. Another key is to always say that its a non-residential address, that saves $1.50. The only difference there, is it will be delivered by a big truck instead of those smaller home delivery vans. You also give up Saturday delivery but get Monday deliver (little known fact, FedEx Home=No Monday delivery!) I still think FedEx Ground is the cheaper method if you are comparing agains UPS or USPS. If you have a DHL Ground facility near you, they will be even cheaper yet.

[Polk65]

Last year someone in the shipping business told me that UPS would be changing to dimensional weight this January. From what he heard, FedEx would not be doing this right away but may follow suit if this does not open a niche for them. Based on UPS's website, packages slightly larger than 16"x16"x16" will be slapped with the new rates.

Dimensional Weight Replaces Oversize in 2007 (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/dimweight2007.html)
Effective January 1, 2007, Oversize charges for larger packages shipped via UPS Ground services will be replaced with a simpler rate calculation based on dimensional weight. Dimensional weight will only apply to UPS Ground packages measuring three cubic feet (5,184 cubic inches) or larger. Packages measuring less than three cubic feet will continue to be billed based on actual weight. As a result of this change, dimensional weight charges will gradually increase as the package size increases, eliminating significant steps from one Oversize tier to the next.

[Midnite Mick]

I used Purolator calculator online and it quoted me 23 dollars for a 600 dollar insured shipment, with the measured dimensions and weight. When I went to the drop off it ended up being 44 dollars. It's a big scam. Should print it out and take it with.

Mike

[halo]

I used Purolator calculator online and it quoted me 23 dollars for a 600 dollar insured shipment, with the measured dimensions and weight. When I went to the drop off it ended up being 44 dollars. It's a big scam. Should print it out and take it with.

MikeI did the same thing w/ the on-line FedEx calculator. Did not matter if I did a quick quote or a detailed quote - the price was the same. When I got to the counter it was more than double what the calculator quoted. Bait & switch / false advertising should = lawsuits.

[Early B.]

Yeah, I've had the same experience with the on-line calculators, so I don't use them. I usually guess the amount of shipping based on prior experience.

I found the best way to save money on shipping is to take the package directly to UPS or Fedex, if possible. No middleman. Also, work with the buyer to ship the package to a business location, if possible, and/or set up a business account. This option works even if you have a home-based business.

[Demiurge]

Odd, haven't seen those kind of increases at all and I use UPS Worldship 9.0 every single business day for multiple packages. Guess it's because I have my own UPS business account or something....? :confused:

[Gaara]

If you print it out and bring it to them it does nothing, I've tried it at UPS.

I had to send some speakers in for repair, was quoted $60 online and it was ~$90 in the store. I asked to see the measurements and it was the exact same height, width, and length...the only thing different was the weight was 3lbs less then what I put in on line. I complained and showed him the quote and asked it to do it himself online with the exact specs he had taken.

He said "it must be a glitch in the system" and there was nothing he could do. Needless to say I got a little upset because it was the third time the "glitch" had happened to me, so he went on the defensive and said the site is wrong and there was nothing they could do. It was more of an estimate anyway and what the store says goes, "do you want to ship them or not?" Sucks.

Jared

[bobman1235]

I don't understand.... why are you doing the online estimate if you just bring it to the store anyways? Why not just print out the label and have it picked up?

[zombie boy 2000]

Talk to me Bob:D

Do you have to have an account to do this? Is there an extra charge? Do they honor the label or find a way to "resize" or "remeaure" from time to time?

[Demiurge]

They make you measure the dimensions of the box when you take it to the store? :confused:

No wonder you guys are pissed.

[billbillw]

I found the best way to save money on shipping is to take the package directly to UPS or Fedex, if possible. No middleman.

DING, DING! Yes, ALWAYS take it directly to a FedEx Staffed location, not FedEx Authorized! Same for UPS. The UPS Store IS always higher than the website because they are independently owned franchises. You must take it directly to the UPS Customer Center to get the rates online.

[zombie boy 2000]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Sometimes the simplest solution is the..... simplest solution. Thanks Bill... everything makes a bit more sense now.

[bobman1235]

You don't need any kind of special account to ship. You just go to their website, set up an online account, then set up a shipment. Enter all the information for the package, print out the label, slap it on, and then set up a pickup time.

To be honest, I've never tried to set up a pickup time from my house - my work has a daily pickup so I just let that guy grab it when he's here.