Questions on shipping using USPS vs UPS

[Katkarot]

Hi All,

I am trying to buy a set of shocks and springs from a member.

I haven't shipped anything out before so I rely on members who have.


Seller said its 60LBs and UPS is $100 (inclusive of insurance) for shipping from Fl to WA. But USPS is $63 (online quote, don't know if it includes insurance or not). The seller says that he cannot guarantee that it will arrive in perfect conditions if he uses USPS and said that UPS guarantees that it arrive in the same condition as shipped.

Is this true or a load of crap? Is UPS better anyways? $35 is not much but really if there is no difference then saving where I could helps.


When you ship with a large package via USPS, is insurance automatically added?

Thanks

[ryan970]

I don't think springs can get messed up during shipping. Ask him to bubble wrap them or put it in the original box and then put that into another box just to be safe.

[jophish17]

When I was looking to ship a splitter, online quotes said ~100$ on FedEx. I took it to the FedEx facility and it ended up only costing somewhere between 20-30$

Point being, don't put too much faith into online calculators. Or I got lucky..

Edit: checked the price to send a box the size of an H&R coilover kit weighing 60# across the country: 45$ via FedEx ground. Seems more legit - of course, if you want it faster or are crossing borders, or are delivering to the middle of nowhere, the price goes up.

[Katkarot]

Thanks all for the reply.

If the package is boxed appropriately then I don't see how springs or shocks get damaged unless they are damaged to begin with.

I will just ask seller to check online quotes and select cheaper option with insurance.

[W Cole]

UPS will only guarantee if you pay them to pack it for you. Not sure if this is what hes planning.

[Rotorocious]

USPS sucks ass. I always pay extra for ups.
USPS tracking is a joke and good luck getting anyone at the post office to answer your call if you need help.

[bumere90]

UPS all the way

[Vic311]

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

USPS sucks ass. I always pay extra for ups.
USPS tracking is a joke and good luck getting anyone at the post office to answer your call if you need help.

^THIS

[Mr Tonka]

UPS or FedEx. Insured is insured with UPS or FedEx, they don't have to pack it. The seller can pack it and insure it.

I shipped an OEM CLS trunk lid and UPS damaged a small corner of it. The buyer who paid me $2500 shipped it back to me and i started a UPS claim. 1 month later i had a check for $2500 and they let me keep the trunk lid. Refunded the buyer and sold the damaged trunk lid for $1800.

[amanda hor$t]

ups has much better tracking. also, if you're not home they'll try again a few times (usps you have to go to the post office and stand in line to pick it up)

for senders, ups also lets you intercept/recall packages. i've only done that once but it was very useful.

[Katkarot]

Great information. Thanks for everyone's input.

[finaloption]

there's a reason USPS is bleeding money.. stay away.. let them die

[Rotorocious]

Originally Posted by finaloption

there's a reason USPS is bleeding money.. stay away.. let them die

This about sums up how I feel about USPS