Why dosen't anyone ship USPS?

[Sheldon681]

I've found USPS works well for shipping to us up in Canada. They have agreements with Canada Post so we don't get dinged with exhorbitant brokerage fees, and the packages can be tracked via Can Post as well.

 

[BassDudeSA]

I only ship USPS. The ONLY negative is that they don't have the tracking that FedEx and UPS have, but I have found their prices cheaper, and their dependability is great. I have shipped probably 100 basses and have only encountered two problems, one being a bass that was shipped to Chicago in the winter, the bass got so cold it cracked (inside of a gigbag) but I won't blame them for that. The other time I sent a neck to Australia and some kind of a rod punctured the box and damaged it (their fault and they paid for it). BUT, they have never lost an item and delivery was always speedy, I usually use Priority and it takes 2-3 days.

I have had no problems with UPS, they are just more expensive. I have never shipped though FedEx but have received many items from them. FedEx sucks, they contract non-employees to deliver in vans and often don't show up the day the package is expected. I will NEVER use FedEx.

 

[Porkbun]

I think the biggest problem here is people using cheap flimsy boxes. You cant expect companies with huge trucks for each NEIGHBORHOOD to gently treat each package like a newborn. When I pack basses or anything else, they are so solidly packed, that throwing it out of 3rd story window wouldnt worry me. I think packaging and box type matter more than company and items should be packed expecting that it will be tossed around.

That being said, I agree with the small packages are more suited to USPS (I feel like the UPS guy is annoyed when he drives his big truck up the street and pulls out the tiniest package ever out of the back of his truck and walks it to my door), and In Fairfield County UPS is unmatched. $18 from CT to CA in a huge heavy box, or $25 to Canada(both insured for over $600) is more than acceptable for me.

 

[cellkirk74]

I had several basses shipped to me in Germany with usps and they did all arrive alive.

 

[jmain]

It depends on how big the package is and where it is going. I use USPS, UPS and Fed Ex, whichever happens to be the best price for whatever I'm shipping.

This

 

[klejst]

Simple, they suck. I do not use USPS for anything other than letters. But that is me.

 

[NicJimBass]

I dislike using USPS, as my local office is crap. No matter what time of day, or how many people are waiting in line, there seems to be 1 MAYBE 2 people taking care of customers, with another 1-3 people periodically popping out to ask if anyone is just dropping anything off. When I do finally get to the counter, it seems as though the attitude everyone has is one of them doing me a favor by shipping my package. I feel dirty everytime I leave that place. UPS and FedEx may cost a little more, but there, I'm in, I'm out, and the people are always nice. To me, that's worth the extra drive AND the extra cost.

 

[jmain]

I use USPS for small stuff or international. Will be shipping some strings USPS. For basses and whatnot, I use FedEx because its easier to get to for me than UPS.

 

[KingRazor]

I have had major hassles with UPS because they insist on me physically being at the delivery location during normal business hours, which does not work with people without that flexibility. USPS allows customer the option of locally picking up the parcel at the convenience of the customer, and I greatly appreciate that freedom.

+1000

But of course, this is why I just have them ship my stuff to my mom's work place. I'd get them shipped to my work place but I work in a cubicle in a secure building, so that's not the best option for me.

 

[YCBass]

My experience with USPS wasn't so great... A few years ago I bought a bass on eBay from a Canadian seller... He shipped the bass via Canada Post. It seemed to have gotten to the US border in a timely enough manner but it was "stuck" there... The tracking number ended there and upon investigation that's all they could tell me. 1 month later the seller and I were finally getting ready to file an insurance claim for it when that same day the bass shows up at my door.

 

[tjh]

I live in a very small town, with the UPS drop/pick-up in a frame shop ... I have no idea why they (UPS) allow it, but this guy jacks the price of everything almost double (including insurance) ... I calles UPS about it, and the comment was that they 'prefer' their contract outlets remain within their guidlines, but ...

With that said, its $60+ to send a well packaged bass with them, and the owners attitude is basically 'we are the only deal in town, take it or leave it' ... and then I have waited in the store, with my boxes on the counter for extended periods of time, while he went off to help his frame shop customers ...

I generally now part everything I sell out, so that I can use smaller boxes and ship with USPS ...

Just a heads up, but check with small local shippers in your area, to see what they have to offer if shipping short distances, or within your state ... MN has a company called Spee-Dee that has the best prices going away, and although I have only received from them, seems like a good deal ... JMHO

 

[Personatech]

USPS tracking is a joke. Not saying that is the cause, but it isn't a help.

+1

Delivery confirmation is a far cry from the detailed shipping status information UPS or Fedex provide. For pedals, though, I do use USPS Priority Mail.

 

[Alkali Ike]

USPS has been very reliable and cost-effective for me. But tracking is not their best thing.

 

[JimmyM]

That being said, I agree with the small packages are more suited to USPS (I feel like the UPS guy is annoyed when he drives his big truck up the street and pulls out the tiniest package ever out of the back of his truck and walks it to my door

Trust me, they're annoyed way more by other things than that. UPS thrives on constant ball-busting, and one of the biggest ball-bustings is reserved for the drivers to get their stops done in a timely manner. That's why you often see them running. A tiny package is actually good news for them because they can grab it, run it up to your door, then run back to the truck.

 

[Hot Rats]

It is a rarity that I use anything but USPS. Basses to pickups. United States or accross the world. Never had any problems. My P.O. is very small, and I know the Postmaster well. Using it has always been a pleasure. that is all.

 

[dvh]

I got my bass via UPs and I agree with this statement made me Lol even. But Ups delievered my bass from cali to Kitchener, a city 1 H a way from toronto, Canada in 2 days.

Yeah, but how much did you pay in "brokerage" fees?

I had a bass guitar sent to me from Maryland to Canada in 2006 by USPS and the cost of shipping was about $40 inclusive. No hassles, no harm to the package, timely...

I've recently done two other bass transactions with fellow TBr's in the U.S. OK, one was too big for USPS. Sent by UPS. I had to pay over $200 to them for brokerage etc. This was over and above the shipping fee already paid by the seller.

The second came by Fedex. Again, seller paid the shipping. I still had to pay $171 to pick it up.

(No slight meant towards the sellers, they were great and took really good care to pack well and they were awesome to deal with). But the shippers - jeeeezzzuz

 

[michael_atw]

My experience with USPS wasn't so great... A few years ago I bought a bass on eBay from a Canadian seller... He shipped the bass via Canada Post. It seemed to have gotten to the US border in a timely enough manner but it was "stuck" there... The tracking number ended there and upon investigation that's all they could tell me. 1 month later the seller and I were finally getting ready to file an insurance claim for it when that same day the bass shows up at my door.

That's US Customs, not USPS. Blame the government.

 

[Obese Chess]

I've never had a problem with UPS, actually.

 

[Obese Chess]

That's US Customs, not USPS. Blame the government.

Wait, isn't USPS government too?

 

[michael_atw]

Wait, isn't USPS government too?

Actually, it's a very distinct, independent entity. It would be like blaming the judicial system for something congress authorized.