Thread: USPS versus UPS versus FedEx tracking

Man, the USPS should change their tracking to:

"Your item was processed through and left our [far away] facility on May 04, 2011 at 6:35 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later."

They should add:

"But you will receive it before we update the status, so you may as well save some time and not come back. This is not UPS."

USPS does not have a tracking service, they have a "Delivery Confirmation" service.

I actually like the USPS.... It is far and away better than fedex IMO. I once tracked an item from California with fedex not only did it take 10 days but it was only processed through a facility in california then 8 days later one in new jersey with nothing in between. That said I am currently at war with my mail lady so for me USPS is more trouble than it's worth. But that is only because my mail lady refuses to leave the truck so any package I have that can't be crammed into a mailbox has to be picked up at the post office. But the teaming is great I usually receive 2 or 3 updates per a day of transit. I don't have nearly as much experience with UPS.

I kinda like the USPS.
For us international buyers they do offer tracking, and they deliver as fast as any of the other companies, IME.
And, knock on wood, it is the only company who hasn't lost me anything yet.
Fedex and UPS, while good as well, has!

Sure, it's no JetPak, but the price isn't as ridiculous either

I will also throw in my 2 cents for the USPS. Recently, I have used there priority "if it fits it ships" packages. Razors fit great in the small box and at $5 it is also affordable. Throw in insurance and/or delivery confirmation for another $4-5 and I am confident that my gear will arrive quickly and safely.

rob

For American's shipping to Canada I really like Purolator. They offer a flat fee service that includes duties and customs so you know the price before it arrives as well they seem to be some of the fastest at getting my crap through customs. Not many companies use them in the U.S.A. but those that do have gained a real loyal following here in Canada especially in the photography world

I hate UPS with a passion.

USPS wins hands down with price and service in my experience with both.

This is going to be one of those "your results will vary" answers. I use USPS pretty much exclusively in the flat rate "if it fits it ships" boxes for both CONUS and international shipping with great success. I've also had good luck with UPS...but FedEx is one that I've had problems with. I have yet to have a razor to show up at a person's house damaged or un-realistically late in a Flat Rate Priority Box. Typically only takes about 3 days anywhere CONUS. Not bad if you ask me...

I agree, USPS with limited exceptions does not have tracking. I'm waiting for an express mail package as I write this and tracking says its guaranteed to be delivered by noon today. The tracking says it left Cleveland at 6PM last night. There is nothing further.

One thing most folks don't realize with Fedex and UPS during most of the journey the specific item is not tracked it's the container your item and hundreds of others are in. it's mostly at pickup and destination where the specific item is tracked.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

One thing most folks don't realize with Fedex and UPS during most of the journey the specific item is not tracked it's the container your item and hundreds of others are in. it's mostly at pickup and destination where the specific item is tracked.

There is not much point in tracking items individually once it has been loaded into a long haul container, until it is removed from that container. Which, best I can reverse engineer, is exactly how UPS does it.

I like UPS, probably because I like the driver. I have a very friendly dog that used to be allowed in the front yard. The UPS driver keeps a box of dog treats in the truck for befriending such dogs. He is practiced in the art of dog psychology, and has never been bitten. The USPS driver, on the other hand, won't deliver a package to a house if there was a dog there 3 years ago, under the cover of "work rules." While this may be the luck of the draw (I understand that some people have dog phobias, my mother-in-law for example), it might also represent a difference between a private and public work ethic.

From my own buyer's perspective, I much prefer UPS over USPS. I don't have enough experience with FedEx.