Shipping UPS or FedEx

USPS

 

Rates are comparable (within $20 give or take) for all. I always ask the buyer what carrier they prefer because quality of service differs substantially between locations.

 

Last week I received a bass shipped by FedEx. Sender required a signature on delivery. I happened to took out my front door window and saw a very large box sitting on the porch in the rain. Delivered with no signature, no knock on the door, nothing. Thank the stars the bass was 100% OK. Ship with lots of insurance and take lots of pictures.

 

I've been buying, selling, and trading basses for close to 30 years. The first 20 years was spent using both UPS and FedEx 50/50. Both of those companies began a pattern of disappointment and failure for my shipments within the last 2-3 years that I used them. I've used USPS the past 10 years and have had nothing but consistent, predictable results.

 

I'd never choose to use USPS for a bass. Their tracking is very inadequate. I had a bass bridge take 12 days priority recently and a Christmas gift take 19 days from California to Oregon.

I feel like USPS is a little more careful as far as rough handling but if it's packed correctly it shouldn't matter much

 

I personally prefer UPS over FedEx. I have had both good and bad with both, but UPS seems to be better at making things right or just fixing issues better than FedEx. I have also had less damage with UPS. The downside is that UPS is more expensive than FedEx typically, but as they say.....you get what you pay for!

 

Nothing worse than FedEx

 

As was mentioned, it does depend on location to some extent. I have had my issues with both. I would not die on either of their hills. I use the cheapest option, pack well, insure and photograph. Those are the only tools that will mean anything

 

UPS or FedEx? Ask yourself do you want the devil or an infected nasty labricorn to deliver your bass?

In my experience these two shipping companies are the ones who did the worst! If you look at UPS on Trustpilot, you'll see the most horrible score ever, similar to scam companies, and it goes pretty much for all the countries they're in.

 

UPS and use pirateship.com

 

I've had a small box of my aunt's special home made Christmas cookies, an old coveted Sicilian family recipe, show up here in CA ruined in June. Thanks a lot FedEx.

There was plenty of sketchy Tomfoolery by FedEx regarding that package in the interim between December and June too.

 

I would go with UPS personally. FedEx has really been problematic in my area for the last several years. UPS isn't really great all the time either, but it's OK (stuff gets hung up in our local hub and comes/goes late, but doesn't get damaged). I can't imagine using USPS for a large package. Really surprised to see that recommended. Last I checked, their prices for large packes were astronomical. Have to they come down recently?

 

I've sold and shipped over 60 instruments in last 5 years. I used UPS for about 90% of those shipments. Honestly think they're both about the same. Each person might have different experiences and come strong with a suggestion. Fully insure is the best thing you can do, past that it's a crap shoot honestly

 

I live in NYC. Here USPS is the worst (I hate dealing with them). UPS is better, and FedEx is the best. IME, FedEx updates the delivery info and usually delivers on time.

 

Pirateship will save you a ton of money. They ship with UPS, which is a union company with real employees. FedEx and USPS are a crapshoot.

 

UPS as they run a hub near my office. Great service and tarmac traffic that rivals Reagan Int’l. Pack well as they stack cartons and are quite aggressive with ratchet straps.

Riis

 

Yes for sure, ask Wilson about is experience

 

I had a series of bad experiences with FedEx, so I'd say UPS is the lesser of two evils.