Costs Of Shipping Via Ups

[HARVEY]

So, yesterday I went to my local UPS store to mail a package to Son#1 in Buffalo. I've been to this store often enough that I recognize the guy there, and I would think he recognized me. But with a million other Angelenos . . . maybe not. He weighs my package, 6 1/2 pounds, and measures it, and checks the delivery address -- Buffalo, NY -- and then tells me for next Monday delivery it'll be $52. I said "What?! 52 dollars!??" He double checks the size and address, and says again "$52" I think about it for a minute and said "Forget it! I'm not spending 52 dollars to send six and a half pounds." He doesn't say a word to me and hands me the package back.

One block away is a Staples, in which is a contract UPS station. I go over there and go through the same exercise: weight, box size, a week's delivery time. The young lady there tells me, "It's $18." I said, fine. As she's printing up the label I say to her "Not to cut my own throat, but are there any delivery schedules where the cost would be $52?" She looks at the monitor, turns it to me to show me, and says no. There are 3 cost schedules; overnight, 2 days and next week. I tell her the story about the UPS store a block away, and she kinda smiles and said "I don't know."

Later in the day I went to the airport to pick someone up. Arriving early in the adjacent neighborhood, I waited for his arrival call. While in the area, I stopped at a another local UPS store. I sauntered in and politely asked for a shipping estimate. I gave the weight, size and delivery zip code, the desk clerk looks it all up, and tells me, "$18." I thanked him and left.

So . . . was a mistake made? Or was something else afoot? We'll find out. I have a second, identical box to mail off to our other son in NYC. Am sending the same thing packed the same way. I'll take it back to the original store I have always used and see what they quote me. And proceed from there.

But today's lesson (actually yesterday's now) is, just `cause you're quoted a price from a seemingly standardized, regulated business, don't always believe it, especially if it seems way too much. Go somewhere else for a second estimate. From 18 bucks to 52 is a helluva difference.

Harvey

[Ferg]

We ship thousands of packages, very few via UPS. They have gotten so expensive we just ship USPS (Post Office), First Class and Priority. They provide free boxes.

I do know, the UPS Stores charge a premium. I think it is 35% above standard charges. Your $52 seems out of "Kilter" for sure.

ferg

So, yesterday I went to my local UPS store to mail a package to Son#1 in Buffalo. I've been to this store often enough that I recognize the guy there, and I would think he recognized me. But with a million other Angelenos . . . maybe not. He weighs my package, 6 1/2 pounds, and measures it, and checks the delivery address -- Buffalo, NY -- and then tells me for next Monday delivery it'll be $52. I said "What?! 52 dollars!??" He double checks the size and address, and says again "$52" I think about it for a minute and said "Forget it! I'm not spending 52 dollars to send six and a half pounds." He doesn't say a word to me and hands me the package back.

One block away is a Staples, in which is a contract UPS station. I go over there and go through the same exercise: weight, box size, a week's delivery time. The young lady there tells me, "It's $18." I said, fine. As she's printing up the label I say to her "Not to cut my own throat, but are there any delivery schedules where the cost would be $52?" She looks at the monitor, turns it to me to show me, and says no. There are 3 cost schedules; overnight, 2 days and next week. I tell her the story about the UPS store a block away, and she kinda smiles and said "I don't know."

Later in the day I went to the airport to pick someone up. Arriving early in the adjacent neighborhood, I waited for his arrival call. While in the area, I stopped at a another local UPS store. I sauntered in and politely asked for a shipping estimate. I gave the weight, size and delivery zip code, the desk clerk looks it all up, and tells me, "$18." I thanked him and left.

So . . . was a mistake made? Or was something else afoot? We'll find out. I have a second, identical box to mail off to our other son in NYC. Am sending the same thing packed the same way. I'll take it back to the original store I have always used and see what they quote me. And proceed from there.

But today's lesson (actually yesterday's now) is, just `cause you're quoted a price from a seemingly standardized, regulated business, don't always believe it, especially if it seems way too much. Go somewhere else for a second estimate. From 18 bucks to 52 is a helluva difference.

Harvey