WHAT SHIPPING COMPANIES DOES EVERYONE USE?

[magicpixiedust]

I have been using Canada Post right from the start of my ebay career, and every year Canada Post rates go up which makes me raise my shipping costs to customers. I try to include my packing costs into shipping aswell...but there comes a point where it is now biting into my profits. I would like to know what companies everyone is using to ship their products to customers and how are the rates in comparison to Canada Post. ?:|Is their a certain criteria you need if you use FED EX or USPS? Do they come to the door? I am in a town near Calgary but FED EX is available here and I do see the USPS truck driving around!
Your comments and ideas much appreciated.
Thanks:-)

[whoscloset]

I use UPS. I used CP at the beginning but had a real problem with Expedited Parcels to the U.S. getting sidetracked in customs for up to 10 days. VERY frustrating.

I contacted all the big guys and had them come out and give me quotes. I use UPS exclusively for the U.S. as I have been able to negotiate a discount with them that actually makes them cheaper than CP. It's so nice to be able to prepare all my shipping documents on their software and they provided me with a thermal printer. I just package, enter shipping info and request a pick-up online. They come to the door daily.

The only issue I have now is that since I moved to a small town I have to have my shipping uploaded by 1:00 pm in order to have it picked up that day. In the GTA it was a 7:00 pm cut-off.

Monique

[magicpixiedust]

Thank you for the valued information, is there a toll free number to contact USPS or do i just look for a local number within my town? I would like to switch with a company that is cheaper in rates than Canada Post. The idea of them picking up at the door sounds fantastic and the printer they gave you what a bonus! 90 percent of my clients are from USA, 5 percent CAN and 5 percent INT. I ship small packet air most of the time for my pkgs are usually under 1 kg unless multiple purchases. Right now most of my packages cost me $5.60 - $7.50 and if i go Expedited then $11.75-13.00 - have to go expedited if over 1 kg. With the new rate increases happening in January, i just dont find Canada Post is really offering me good value anymore. If they included tracking on small packet then maybe yes, but they dont. When i call UPS, is there certain criteria or the number of pkg you need to be mailing?

[whoscloset]

You can just contact UPS at 1-800-PICK-UPS and tell them you would like to set up a meeting with a Business Rep.

You won't get cheaper rates then CP Small Packet on items under 1 kg but they may be able to beat Expedited and the extras are nice. Most of my stuff weighs much more than 1 kg so I save a bunch.

[jakeeangel]

Magic you're confusing USPS with UPS.

USPS - United States Postal Service
UPS - United Parcel Service

Monique is referring to UPS. Me, I drive over the border and ship with USPS. I get to go shopping, I get Delivery Confirmation, I get free boxes, better shipping costs and it gets to the people much faster. :-D

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[whoscloset]

If I lived near the border I'd do the same thing. When we decided to move last year I actually tried to talk DH into moving to the suburbs of Sarnia so I'd be close enough to drive my stuff over to USPS. Really can't beat their prices or service.

[2hormy]

I use Fedex always. They provide me the best service and I get 20% discount with every shipment. Also they charge me $6 weekly for picking up items.
2hormy

[academycomics]

Has anyone used/considered Canpar? I'd like to understand the rates they offer.

Greg
AcademyComics

[alero0]

2hormy,
I use Fedex always. They provide me the best service and I get 20% discount
How many packages do you ship per month? I use Fedex Ground and they gave me a 10% discount and I ship 25-30 packages per month. I think I might have to give them a call.

Harvey

[marcopoloca]

i use canada post because there's a business depot close by with a post office inside.
i also have success using fedex ground, their rate is very competitive and in general more traceable than cp, but they charge an additional $2 deliverying to home address.

[2hormy]

I ship around 80 packages per months. You should call them. My packages are oversized boxes.

[ab-sol-canada]

Is There Minimum Package requirement to get better rates from UPS?

[whoscloset]

The will offer you discounts on a sliding scale based on your total shipping expenditure over a period of 3 months.

[auctionit-ca]

I have mostly been shipping Canada Post, but have recently started looking elsewhere for alternative shipping. One of the issues is customs/duties into the US. With Canada Post, I just fill out the customs forms and they do the collections. With the couriers, it seems like they won't do collections for the duty when they deliver (for over $200). Any comments?

[javax.swing]

US buyers are rather ignorant in that they assume everything they buy no matter how expensive nor from where they're getting it can be imported for free. I've had buyers upset over $40 brokerage fees because they didn't know...

None of my buyers paid tax when I sent Canada Post with proper value declared (>$200 almost all the time).

If you want to use courier, you have to be ready for US buyers to get angry over paying brokerage, and if they refuse to pay after they have their package, the bill will default to you.

[magicpixiedust]

i thinking of shipping ground since fees are too high via air...any thoughts on ground shipping? anyone had bad experiences??

[sunraycity]

I have been considering driving across the border once a week to ship via USPS, any thoughts from others on this board?

[magicpixiedust]

i wish i was close to the border to do that sunray city!!! I tried UPS like everyone else had told me too, and the rep sia they will never beat CP prices, but they beat CP in service. So an average pkg costing me approx $7.50 from CP would cost around $17 via UPS...so UPS option is out now...i have no choice but to stick with CP

[javax.swing]

FedEx Ground is much cheaper than UPS Ground.

[sunraycity]

I do not live near the border (about an hours drive from here), but if I the savings covers my cost of gas and time its well worth it. Magic I would make a suggestion to you when using CP, first you should use a CP location that had pickup at least twice a day. I try to get my items shipped by noon to make it for the first pick up.