seeking to replace usps as my shipper, thoughts?
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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=177972
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Topic: seeking to replace usps as my shipper, thoughts?
Posted By: tomNE
Subject: seeking to replace usps as my shipper, thoughts?
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 8:02pm
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they are just killing me on freight charges, who is everyone else using. thanks doorshock tom ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Replies:
Posted By: plummerscarin
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 8:29pm
| A lot of stuff I get comes by Speedy. |
Posted By: allisbred
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 9:06pm
| You can switch to Fed-ex and they are good at making packages disappear. IMO— just keep checking daily rates with all vendors. |
Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 11:07pm
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I sent them 8 eccentrics for $15. They must weighed 40 pounds. I sent something else that weighed close to the same for the same price. The guy at the counter remembered me, he didn't look too happy. If they fit in a priority box, it don't matter how much they weigh, it costs the same. ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 3:07am
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weight doesn't kill me; i can ship 2 kits in the same box for just about what it costs me to ship one. has anyone bought the postage online? i keep coming back to the post office because i'm 40miles from a shipping business. ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Posted By: Matt (Jordan,MN)
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 3:21am
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I use USPS for almost all of the parts i ship. I use mostly there flat rate boxes. I have been buying the shipping labels online since the pandemic started and There is no price difference. There is a few pluses for doing it online. If it fits in the mail box all you need to do is stick in the box. If you have a lot of packages you can have them pick up for free. There is flat rate packaging that they offer online only. Larger packages get sent speeDee if its in there delivery area. Here again you call them up and use there on call service and they will pick up. Other large packages get sent UPS. Never liked Fed Ex and there is not a local drop off. You have to get rates from them all. They are all getting expensive. ------------- Owner of Matt Scott LLC Specializing in NOS and used Allis Chalmers tractor & implement parts & liturature and Magneto Repair http://www.mattscottllc.com/ |
Posted By: Rick
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 6:52am
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Exactly what Matt Scott said!!! They are all expensive...I use USPS in flat rate boxes or UPS for the real heavy packages...Spee-Dee is only in seven states... |
Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 7:24am
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our post office weighs our flat rate boxes and charges according . Fed Ex will charge their heights rate if you don't get a quote . Charged me 560 dollars to ship a crankshaft in a box 500 miles. Finally got it lowered after a lot of calls and @#$!@#&. MACK
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Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 7:49am
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USPS : Flat rate one rate anywhere in the 48, if it fits it ships. These are the USPS advertising slogans. If your local Post office is charging you by weight, you need to contact your postmaster. Currently large box $21.90, Medium box $15.50 small box $8.45. For most anything that fits into any of these boxes or envelops, no other shipping service can match the USPS prices. The best is the small bubble enveloped, You'd be surprised what will fit and ship for $8.45. And the large "Game board box will hold more that what the cardboard will support, which leads to common sense packing, What will actually survive getting there without busting trough the box. Now for things that won't fir I use UPS and can drop thing off at Staples stores for no extra charge like you'll get at the UPS store. Which I don't get why a UPS store charges extra to ship something by UPS than the counter service at a UPS depot or the Staples store. As for FedEx, they will NEVER get my business. The have delivered a package the was thrown out around the corner on another road at a neighbors mailbox that didn't even have the same number and when I called customer service, I got pretty much a "so what attitude" Their reply was "You received the package didn't you?" Also they will not ship for anyone that doesn't have an account with them and they don't have anyplace that you can drop off a package and pay cash. Also in all my years on the road I've seen more FedEx truck wrecks than UPS truck wrecks. Probably because most of their drivers drive like idiots. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: DaveNWWI_OAN
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 8:59am
| pirateship.com is a great site to buy postage. It is cheaper than buying at the post office, including flat rate. The biggest savings is when shipping small but heavy items. |
Posted By: Bob-Maine
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 9:09am
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I don't ship much, but have experience on the receiving end. I have had good experience with both UPS and USPS. Several weeks ago, a white van came up my driveway. It had snowed about an inch. I looked out the shop window to see the driver back off the driveway, down an incline and try to turn around, just spinning. I came out and he was wearing shorts as the snow came down. He kept backing up till I told him to stop. I got a chain and hooked my 4X4 GMC 1/2 ton ( made him hook his end) and pulled him back on the driveway. He indicated it was all my fault because the driveway wasn't designed right. But he did say "sorry about the lawn". Around here, FedEx uses all subcontractors and drivers are paid piecework. So much per package delivered. Bob@allisdowneast ------------- I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not sure. |
Posted By: ac hunter
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 10:44am
| Agree with the USPS flat rate idea. I shipped an item a while back and just used one of the miscellaneous boxes we had around at first. Postmaster at out local PO asked if it would fit in a flat rate box of within a couple of inches in size of the box I had it in. Item fit and cost less than half as much to send. Have to use their boxes. |
Posted By: jiminnd
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 11:04am
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With USPS you have to make sure you get a flat rate box, they have others that look the same but are by weight, has to say flat rate on it. ------------- 1945 C, 1949 WF and WD, 1981 185, 1982 8030, unknown D14(nonrunner) |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 11:18am
| I do the Flat Rate packages here, for stuff to brothers or cousins and some small items have made in my shop, not been unhappy, beat FE for cost, well under UPS except for off size or heavier than will fit FR Boxes. I prefer Insured on some small envelope mailings and registered where the other end HAS to sign for. |
Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 11:59am
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thanks for all the info; flat rate isn't an option. usps rates have went up 130% since i started selling kits. I had to make adjustments a year ago to keep the kit prices affordable; i have 1 last idea on how to hold the line again! thanks to everyone who has bought kits. last day of jan sale is today! ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Posted By: Gatz in NE
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 12:52pm
UPS is good at that too. I finally got my shipping money's worth a few years ago.....(Nov '18) Sold a heavy mid-60's Chrysler starter on eBay and was able to get it stuffed in a Flat-Rate box. Bought the postage on eBay at $12.85 When I took it to the PO, I asked what it would have been if not flat-rate; she said $54.75 I've not been able to get that kind of savings since.....probably never will.
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allisbred wrote:Posted By: injpumpEd
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 3:59pm
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I used to use USPS flat rate boxes A LOT! But with the issues they had late last year, I started using UPS more, and they offered up a flat rate too, called one simple rate. It's just cubic inches of the box, use your own boxes. I am not a regular stop for the ups driver, but try to get my outgoing packages ready for a day I'm receiving something from them. You can pay an extra pick-up fee too, but I don't. I also take the boxes to my post office for the ups guy to pick up there, since he goes there nearly every day. If it's my regular driver, he lets me text him about an outgoing. I've had problems with some customers not able to get their package from usps if driver doesn't feel like getting out of car, then leaves a note saying you have a package to pick up at post office. Some small town post offices are only open a few hours a day. I do like the usps in that I have until 330 to get something mailed out. UPS can be anywhere from 9 to 3 lol! I do all my own labels, and usps flat rate boxes aren't supposed to charge by weight. ------------- 210 "too hot to farm" puller, part of the "insane pumpkin posse". Owner of Guenther Heritage Diesel, specializing in fuel injection systems on heritage era tractors. stock rebuilds to all out pullers! |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 4:23pm
| Tom. We use both post office and Speedie. Speedie is cheaper than post office on the larger packages. Post man gets outta his jeep and pick up the packages inside her building when she contacts them on line. You gotta find a place where speedie regularly picks up. They will pick up at your place but then the cost goes up. Yes they have jacked up shipping. |
Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 10:23pm
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I guess for my business; i've learned there is no alternative as my kits go all over the USA. none of the flat rate boxes fit my kits. I'm too far away from another type of pickup. I tried to sell the business a couple years ago but found no serious buyers, so that's out. I'll figure this out like i always seem too! thanks to my customers; have a great 2021! ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Posted By: matador
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 11:03pm
| If your kits are low weight, look into Regional Rate boxes. The cost varies on distance, and they only allow a certain weight limit (15 pounds for the smallest Regional Rate "A" box), but if you're shipping a short distance, they're super cheap |
Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 9:03am
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just checked on regional rate from the post office. that doesn't fit my business. thanks for the heads up as i didn't know it existed. ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Posted By: tadams(OH)
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 2:09pm
| The only problem with USPS is you don't want to be in any hurry cause Amazon has priority, my meds used to be shipped in 3 to 5 days and now it's 10 days if your luck cause USPS has a deal with Amazon that their packages go first or they will ship with someone else. Was told that's in the contract that USPS signed with Amazon. |
Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 3:53pm
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I'm pretty well schooled on how the postal system works, I hauled your mail for years, and your ideas on why your packages are late, are probably off base! I could tell you this, the postal system is more worried about bean counters, then moving your mail efficiently! ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 6:27pm
I think you mean UPS. I don't think I ever get anything from Amazon from the post office. UPS delivers everything we get from Amazon.
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Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 6:44pm
WF is correct, Amazon drivers won't deliver parcels over "X" pounds, USPS has to do it
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Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 6:45pm
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Posted By: ac fleet
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 8:40pm
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everything that comes here from amazon is fed-ex. Postal wont deliver anything that dont fit our mailbox----thats our NON-ENGLISH speaking driver for you---she wont get out of the car, so just throws the stuff on the ground at the road ditch and drives off. We prefer fed-ex here, but ups is good also,--- we get a few packages delivered by them. ------------- http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/ |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 5:25am
| I have seen an ad for a company called Ship Station. They are supposed to have lower rates. I know nothing about them. Does anyone have any experience with them? |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 10:35am
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We've been using USPS for years and only had a few problems. Those flat rate boxes are the best thing since birthday cake. Since this Pandemic started, deliveries have slowed down some, but I can understand that with what's going on in the world with this Wu-Flu stuff. Where can ya send a Generator East coast to West coast (3000 miles) for $15.50? Usually, when we get UPS deliveries, it looks like the driver used the box for a wheel chock. Boxes are busted, taped whatever. In most cases, the contents are damaged. I don't know if UPS is just tough on pkgs round' here or what, but seems like anything that comes in to us is pretty tragic when it arrives here from them..... Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: Ray54
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 1:14pm
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Something was said about USPS charging more than the flat rate. Asked my wife that handles any thing we ship, you need to look better. The USPS has boxes sitting out here you pick the size you want, but look close some are not flat rate boxes. The non flat rate are by the pound or oz what ever they use as general rate. Just another thing for the occasional user to look out for.
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Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 1:42pm
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Another interesting thing just happened to me; I just shipped out my last jan sale doorshock kit! I followed a guy in line that was using a flat rate box that was exactly like the one i needed. I asked if the were new, as i had never seen them before. he laughed and said he refolds flat rate boxes and they ship them for the flat rate price. clerk said the scan mark must appear on the box. this was all new to me but since the boxes are free; i'm going to pursue this; whats the worse they can do; return it! ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |
Posted By: dr p
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 2:41pm
| Tom yaz just sent me nearly 400 pounds of roto baler parts for 131 dollars. Full pallet from ohio. Ask him who the shipper was but I thought that was more than fair |
Posted By: Fantrum
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 9:06pm
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Forgive me if you've already gotten any answers you seek.. I was lazy and skipped some posts! I do a lot of online sales and shipping. For USPS, Priority Mail Cubic is your friend. I think it's a weight limit of 20lbs. and anything under half a cubic foot (think 12"x12"x6"). You can use any box for this. Regional rate boxes are also nice, but require precise USPS boxes. I also use GoShippo.com a lot. You can sign up for a free UPS account through them in all of 30 seconds and then get "up to 45% off" their rates (I think it's up to 45%), but it usually does provide decent savings. Shippo also offers USPS rates without any special account and they are directly comparable to Amazon shipping rates (sellers to buyers) - which are some of the best. Shippo is also essentially free to use. For USPS, there's also Pirateship.com and Stamps.com. I know there are others, but these are the ones I have looked into when shipping up to 200 packages per day myself. Shippo is my best friend. |
Posted By: tomNE
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 9:22pm
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weight isn't my problem. i ship 2 kits in one box; the second ships just about free. not interested in shipping 70lb boxes. my interest is keeping the price of my kits down, so i my customers can afford to buy my kits! i started ordering in supplies 18 or more kits at a time to save on incoming supply costs! ------------- AC from the start of my families farming career till the end! |