USPS

[lindaj]

Do I actually trust the US Postal Service to deliver express packages this week at the time they claim? Or is that unrealistic?

FedEx is notably more expensive, though maybe also notably more reliable. UPS has never, in my experience, been particularly reliable, and they're not particularly cheap, either.

I have something that needs to arrive somewhere by Friday, for not at all the reason that everyone else needs that this week. While 2-day shipments are cheaper for all of the carriers, I'm tempted to pay the extra for 1-day, just so that they have an extra day to correct any mistakes. Is that realistically or unrealistically paranoid?

I'm all in a rush on this because someone missed his flight on Monday and had to stay an extra day...but I wouldn't have traded that for the world.

Thoughts?

Comments

[obra.livejournal.com]

Fedex overnight. If it really needs to be there, maybe even Fedex Priority Overnight. If you're feeling adventurous, go DHL. But trying UPS or USPS is just asking to be eited.

Of course, lots of people are traveling this week. Maybe somebody's going there at the right time and you can get it hand carried?

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

Of course, lots of people are traveling this week. Maybe somebody's going there at the right time and you can get it hand carried?

I spent about a month trying to get a solution like that to work, but to no avail. :-(

[tigira.livejournal.com]

Fedex is most reliable.
I hate saying that.
DHL is now part of UPS, so I wouldn't go that route.
USPS is the least reliable of the bunch, IMO.
The problem with Fedex is that I think it's impossible to get it to him if he's not home - someone has to sign for the package.

[tytso.livejournal.com]

Then sender can specify either that a package be delivered without a signature, or that a signature is absolutely required ---- and the recipient can specify whether packages by default require a signature or not; the signature waiver that does require that you have to indemnify Fedex for any loses after they deliver something and someone steals it off your front porch, of course, and it won't apply if the sender explicitly requires a signature. It seems to be pretty much the right set of options to give to both the sender and the recipient.

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

Signatures won't be an issue in this particular case.

[obra.livejournal.com]

I think you're mistaken. DHL Bought Airborne. And outside the US, DHL apparently does some deliveries for the USPS.

But I'm pretty sure that DHL and UPS don't have much to do with each other, except for package-delivery-truck drag race death matches.

[eisenbud.livejournal.com]

Yeah, as of a few months ago DHL was running a big ad campaign in the NYC subway, mostly pointing out that they exist and aren't UPS or Fedex.

WHATEVER YOU DO - GO DIRECTLY TO THE VENDOR

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Seriously.

I used the shipping counter at Staples to send something to NYC via UPS 2nd day air. This took place about 6 weeks ago, so the holiday rush had nothing to do with it. 5 days later neither Staples nor UPS had any idea where it was. It seems to have gone missing during the hand off between Staples and UPS.

From now on, if I want to ship UPS I will go directly to UPS. That way I know PRECISELY who deserves to have a new one torn when something goes wrong.

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

Fedex is generally the best of the bunch, but be sure to know whether to specify that they can leave the package without anyone signing for it. The signature requirement box being checked by vendors has caused me lots of aggravation, but I also live somewhere that has a low theft-from-the-porch risk.

UPS is actually pretty good, at least better than they used to be. Ditto on signature requirements. But avoid shipping through Staples, and be aware that some of the UPS retail storefronts offer only very limited options, generally the more expensive ones.

The USPS is a total crapshoot. Sometimes stuff gets there next day when I've expected 2-3 days. I've had overnight express mail go missing, with the tracking forms claiming delivery happened, (which of course means that they think you're lying when you say it never got there) only to have the package turn up days later with no explanation and a lot of balloon juice when I insisted on an investigation. They're totally unaccountable.

[tytso.livejournal.com]

I would definitely second the Fedex recommendation. One of the big advantages over USPS and UPS is (a) they are reliable, and (b) you can use on-line tracking to where the package is, because they scan all packages whenever they go one or off a truck/plane/whenever.

I don't know about now, but I still refuse to use UPS after a driver just slapped a "we've tried 3 times, you didn't answer the doorbell, pick up at office" sticker on my door without ringing the doorbell (I know this because I was at home working and heard the UPS truck drive up and drive off. and I couldn't get to the door in time), and when I showed up at the Watertown office the following day, the staff had absolutely no clue where my package had gone to. Turns out the lazy UPS driver had left my package on the truck and not returned it to the office like he said he was going to do. I finally got the package days later. As a result, I no longer patronize UPS whenever I have the option.

I like Fedex because the main Fedex office for the Boston area is within walking distance of my house in Medford. Also, I can leave a signature permission on file that will by default allow packages to be left on my front porch without my needing to be present (unless the sender explicitly requires a signature). Finally, when I have had to pick up packages at the Fedex office, they've never lost a package. Their Internet tracking system seems to be very reliable at telling me precisely where the package is at any point in time --- unlike UPS which doesn't seem to keep as close track about where their packages are when they are lost inside their shipping network....

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

One of the big advantages over USPS and UPS is (a) they are reliable,

Are they reliable enough that you'd trust them to deliver a 2-day package in 2 days, this week? Or would you still ship it 1-day, just to be safe?

I like Fedex because the main Fedex office for the Boston area is within walking distance of my house in Medford.

Then perhaps I'll phone you later and ask you where that is, exactly.

[tytso.livejournal.com]

Are they reliable enough that you'd trust them to deliver a 2-day package in 2 days, this week? Or would you still ship it 1-day, just to be safe?

Normally, I'd be confident that they could do a 2-day package in 2 days. This week? And if you absolutely, positively want to make sure it gets there by the target date? I suppose there's a chance something might get screwed up --- weather problems in Boston or some thing else that grounds one of their planes, etc. Is it worth paying an extra $18 dollars ($36 vs $18 for a one pound package) just to make sure? Eh, I suppose it depends.

Dropping the package directly at their shipping office for the Northern suburbs in Medford (25 Sycamore, off Riverside Ave, close to where Ames used to be) would certainly help reduce a large number of the places where there might be potential screwups.

[motive-nuance.livejournal.com]

I'm very mad at FedEx right now because they're refusing to pay spousal benefits to married same-sex couples in MA. But they are reliable.

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

Ewwwww. That's both morally reprehensible and really ought to be illegal.

Ew.