Death by Shipping - Page 2

You might have gotten worked over. I've shipped an equalizer and headphones, none of which exceeded 15 dollars for UPS for confirmed standard shipping.

But you probably didn't use Mailboxes Etc!

As expected, you've gotten some very inexperienced advice from some other people before me. The optimal shipping method depends on what you're shipping. If it's a large, heavy, & and/or very expensive item, then in most cases it should be shipped via FedEx or UPS as they offer built-in tracking, automatic insurance up to $100 (you pay for any value over $100), and the cost of their rates improves as the item gets bigger & heavier, compared to USPS. If it's a smaller item that can be easily carried by one or both hands, FedEx/UPS can easily cost about the same as USPS Priority Mail - though in some cases, Priority Mail may even be cheaper. However, Priority Mail is not trackable and the only thing that the USPS claims with it is delivery within 2-3 days. Priority Mail is still a relatively cost-effective method though as it's quick, not too expensive (usually costing less than FedEx/UPS on items of moderate weight or less), and likely won't get lost in transit (though anything can still happen). Items that are really small and light-weight (i.e., cables) can be further cost-saved by shipping via USPS First Class Mail (3-5 days) which has a weight limit of 16 ounces.

Assuming you shipped via Ground, it sounds like you got jacked. $8-$15 is the normal range for Ground, $30 sounds like either 2-day or overnight. Items as light-weight as headphones should never cost more than $15 to ship via either FedEx or UPS Ground. I'm not familiar with the size or weight of the Audio-GD Compass but the most that I've ever spent on shipping of a headphone amp was $25-$30, and that was for the heaviest ones (i.e., a balanced B22, HeadAmp BHSE, etc).

Also, claiming a value higher than $100 (FedEx/UPS) will tack on shipping insurance costs, which maybe could explain the $30?

Incidentally, international Priority is automatically tracked, and there's always Signature Confirmation. Shipping an EF1 to Australia, I ended up quoting the buyer the Priority Mail flat-rate price and telling him he didn't want to know the USPS or Fedex prices.

I guess international shipping is a beast unto itself.

Agreed. UPS/FedEx/DHL are substantially higher in shipping costs.

x2

I lose packages from USPS because they were never delivered. They know the problem too and the situation seems to be improving at least for my building, but every time I go complain they will just say there is nothing they can do and I should contact the seller instead to see what can be done. Unless you ship it requiring signature upon delivery, their confirmation is pretty much useless.

Not saying USPS is crap. I do get my packages most of the time. Just saying if it is so unfortunate to get lost, there is nothing you can do and they won't take the responsibility because it is "delivery confirmed".

If you ship UPS ground to an office building, the cost is lower than shipping to your home address. It is still more than USPS but for me, not by too much. I guess it depends on where you are located.

HD650 delivered about 5 or 6 states away in the USA cost about $15 with tracking and signature confirmation, USPS.

Do no use UPS they are very, very, very ,very slow. They cant even deliver a pair of glasses in less than a week on the same city!!!!!

...

Get over it already.

My local third party FedEx store, a Kinko's, has a stockade right inside the door. It's for people who want to ship through them through FedEx. They point to the stockade and tell you to remove your pants, put your head and your wrists in, and they will be with you in a second.

You don't do that do you? Man that would suck for sure, LOL. Best bet is to use USPS. Never had a problem with them even international.

shipping can be expensive at times, no matter who you use. i would agree with the general statement that for small packages, USPS is good and for large ones, FedEx is better.