does anyone use FedEx?

[Former_Member]

I feel that if i raise my shipping costs any, I might lose sales, but as it is, I am losing money shipping with USPS. Is anyone using FedEx? Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks for your help.
Kristen

[FiredEarthEtc]

I use FedEx but I noticed that when I list item as home delivery, the cost is more. So usually, I don't list as home delivery but as groud and the cost is slightly lower. I don't know if this is legal or not. I read somewhere that when you list as home delivery, that FedEx contracts out to a subcontractor who then delivers the package so I imagine that is why it is more expensive. When the account with FedEx is set up, you get a slight price break for belonging to Etsy. I think I found out how to do it on Etsy. The tracking # is then sent out to the customer by FedEx as long as you list the buyer's e-mail. Items under $100 are insured free like UPS. I thought I had to pay extra for insurance when I've shipped through USPS. If my package is under 3-4 lbs sometimes it's less expensive through the postal service.

[Former_Member]

I haven't looked into it for domestic. I use USPS.

I called them (and UPS) regarding a shipment to Australia. A $9 pair of plastic earrings - weighing a few ounces - and they wanted $90.

That's not a typo. UPS was the same price. I know Australia is far and they needed insurance for customs rules, but USPS would do it for $25.

Even so, lost the sale because of the ridiculous shipping costs.

[MerceryMerceryMe]

USPS is cheaper in most cases. Also, with UPS for sure, and I'm not sure about FedEx, if you have an international package, you can bet on brokerage and duty fees, and they can get pretty spendy.

$25 to ship earrings to Australia is ridiculous. Each time I've shipped to Australia, fairly small, lightweight items, the cost was no more than $5 for shipping with USPS.

Have you thought about buying a scale and printing your postage labels from home?

[Rt9NJvintageFun]

I usually use Fed Ex ground, I sell vintage, I need the insurance, it comes with $100.00 and anything over that there will be an additional charge. The package can bet tracked 24/7. If the shipping address is a business the charge is less, if the buyer lives in a remote section in the US the charge is about $2 to $3 more, that is what I have experienced. I get an e-mail when the customer receives it. If you sign up with Fed Ex through Etsy you get off 20% off. To me the piece of mind is worth it, vintage can't be replaced they are all one of a kind. I build in the additional cost in my prices to cover the bottom line. The news this week about the slow down of the USPS who knows how that will pan out in the Spring, when the changes take place.
I definitely agree with Sarah, get a postal scale, Amazon sells them for less than $20.00.

Good luck

[Former_Member]

I use USPS and it is definitely cheaper! I once paid 32$ to ship an item that I sold for 15$ with FedEx, Bleh! Your wet bags looks like they are fairly small, and maybe you might be able to ship them in a priority envelope which is 6.05 with tracking! With the priority packaging they also arrive within 2-5 days!

Good Luck!

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

USPS is cheaper for sure. I used Fed Ex one time when I accidentally sent a package to the wrong person (oops!) and needed someone to pick it up from her and send it to the right person. I enlisted Fed Ex to pick it up from her and charge it to my business account, so there was no hassle to the patron. But other than that, I think Fed Ex is a rip-off. It cost me $15 to have them pick up a tiny pair of sunglasses from her, something that cost $1.25 with USPS when I originally shipped it.

[Former_Member]

I ship with FEDEX overnight only, I use UPS for all ground shipping...and I only use USPS for international.

[RivendellRocksSedona]

USPS. It is much less expensive and reliable. We also had a sale to Australia - FedEx and UPS wanted $99 for a 3.5 oz pair of earrings, fully packaged. With USPS, it was under $5.00 and got there just as quickly.

[Former_Member]

No, I only use USPS, Fed EX is to expensive and slow.

[NextStageVintage]

In my experience, which shipper is least expensive depends on size, weight and zip code. For things under 4 lbs,, USPS tends to be the least expensive. Over 4 lbs., it's generally FedEx. International, it's almost always USPS. With vintage, every item is a different size and weight, so I pick whichever of the big 3--FedEx, USPS Priority and UPS--has the best rate for that item.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for all your awesome help. Laurie- How are you finding the rates for each 3 to do a comparison?

[Former_Member]

It looks like your items are small and only a few oz. They should ship USPS for $1.75-1.95 with delivery confirmation if you print from Paypal.