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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Marketplace => Topic started by: weirdami on July 16, 2004, 11:21:03 PM

Title: USPS vs UPS vs FedEx vs DonkeyCart
Post by: weirdami on July 16, 2004, 11:21:03 PM

Are FedEx or UPS ever cheaper than the United States Postal Service for international shipping? Are there any companies at all that are cheaprer than the USPS? The same questions for domestic USA shipping as well.

Title: Re: USPS vs UPS vs FedEx vs DonkeyCart
Post by: jeffimix on July 17, 2004, 12:46:40 AM

Far as I can tell the USPS is generally cheapest...

Title: Re: USPS vs UPS vs FedEx vs DonkeyCart
Post by: AdMartin on July 17, 2004, 12:59:11 AM

I can only speak about my experiences of having stuff sent from the US to Sweden, where I live. The cheapest way is usually to have it shipped via USPS small packet. The USPS Global Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes are also good alternatives, if what you want can fit in them. They arrive fast and are very decently priced. Both Global Priority Mail and small packets are sent directly to the Swedish postal service and if it gets caught up in customs I have to pay a handling fee to the postal service, in addition to the taxes and customs, which isn't very nice.

A USPS parcel that is sent from America to Sweden takes longer time, because it first goes the logistics company Schenker in Germany and they also charge a much higher customs handling fee than Swedish Postal. And they want customs and taxes for everything; I read about a woman in Sweden who was sent a cheesecake as a gift every Christmas from America and Schenker charged her like $20-$30 for it!

FedEx also charge high customs handling fees, similar to Schenker. I have no experience with UPS from America.

So, I'd say go for USPS Global Priority Mail or USPS small packet whenever possible. If you need insurance, I think USPS airmail parcel is the only option.

/Martin

Title: Re: USPS vs UPS vs FedEx vs DonkeyCart
Post by: QuikSanz on July 17, 2004, 02:03:37 AM

@weirdami,

You may want to take a look at DHL Worldwide, We use them at work and mostly cost less than any other. NO ZONES.

Chris

Title: Re: USPS vs UPS vs FedEx vs DonkeyCart
Post by: metalman on July 17, 2004, 05:02:46 AM

For US Domestic shipping eithor UPS-Ground or FedEx-Ground are  usually next afternoon delivery within a 500 mile radius if you drop off the package before 5pm. USPS is about 3 day delivery at best, if it leaves the city it was shipped from.

If you include the insurance cost, UPS-G or FedEx-G include the first $100 insurance with the cost, additional insurance is $0.30/$100. USPS insurance is an additional $1.30 for the first $50 insurance