FedEx vs. UPS, your thoughts?

[Kamakiri]

It is coming time for my company ( www.hondacuraworld.com ) to renegotiate contracts for shipping of our products. I'd like to solicit everyone's opinions with both services, whether they be with my company or others. If you could, give a synopsis of which you feel is better and why. I'm going to forward a copy of this thread to both of my reps for both companies.

Which in your opinion, should we use? What do you and don't you like? Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Retro Stereo]

I save 33% every time I use FedEX over UPS, and if I use an American Express Gold Business Card, I'll save an additional 10%!!! I know for a fact that they are not as rough on the packages too. I've had a 5 to 1 (that have been damaged) ratio on damaged packages, UPS over FedEX, on the same amount on packages shipped and delivered. My vote is FedEX for sure.


Retro

[grumpy]

How many of your packages have been lost by FedEx Kam ?

I went back through some of my records and this has been my track record

Received 4 trashed beyond belief packages from FedEx
Post office lost 8 packages and numerous payments
UPS trashed one package out of nearly 1200 shipped

I ain't a betting man but I go with the odds.

Grumpy

[gonzo]

Years ago UPS dropped a rebuilt Pioneer SX-1050,major hassel nice collection of used parts.
Centuries ago when Advent still had that great warranty program one of two cartons fell out of the truckat the recieving dock and was run over and crushed.
FedEx has never been a problem and the post office has had a really good run.Then yesterday ups puts the new speakers on the deck in the back yard under cover.Wind direction,time of the month,personal problems who knows?The pioneer looked like it had been dropped for thirty feet,who's to figure.The claims people at ups are far more people friendly than FedEx,they wanted a lung.

[merrylander]

Now that I have an account at UPS they have been 100%. When I shipped via Mailboxes, Etc. they had a 100% track record, 3 shipments, 3 damaged. Post office was 1 for 2.

I like the account because they pick up and I don't have to lug heavy boxes to their depot.

Only recent problem has been their online system, I get a pickup confirmation, but sometimes their computer does not notify the local office. The first time it happened, my wife called and asked would they please pickup as she had been confined to home for two days. They picked up that evening and sent her flowers and candy the next day.:eek:

Rob

[Shain]

I ship lots of stuff too, and I'm using Fedex.

Mostly because it's way less cost. Like Retro Stereo
said, it's been AT LEAST 25% cheaper.

And beyond that, the main FedEx shipping unit is about half the distance from my place. I take everything to them. I don't ship enough every day to justify paying for the pick up.

FedEx ground also ships to most locations in Canada now, and is not much more $$ than USPS. And it gets there in a week VS a month or more.
And UPS wants to collect import duties from the recipient. So far FedEx hasn't. Don't know why the difrerence.

As far as damage, I don't really have the facts and figures.... FedEx VS UPS.

I have noticed that FedEx shipments to the N.Y. city - N.J. areas are a lot more prone to slow shipping, loss, and damage. They're about the only place in US or Canada I have any problem.

[Shain]

Is suppose you all know the basic difference between UPS and Fedex is the union UPS employees, ....and FedEx isn't union.

As I understand it, Fedex works on a contract type basis with drivers, etc, so the faster and better the employees are, the more efficent the company is, the more money the employees make, .. helps keep overall costs down.

I'm not anti or pro union, that's just what the deal is with Fedex.

[captainmoody]

I find that FedEx is the way to go whenever I have to ship something, They are a heck of a lot cheaper than ups.
Also, I have had very little trouble with damage or anything for that matter.

[Celt]

In my experience, out of over 200 packages I encountered:

Fed-Ex Air: 0 problems so far (my usual choice)

Fed-Ex Ground: 1 damaged

UPS: 2 damaged, 2 lost or delivered to wrong address

USPO: 1 damaged, 2 lost

The Post Office were the worst in getting the matter resolved.
Major attitude and incompetance.

UPS wanted alot of info, but did resolve the damages. However, they didn't give a rat's ass about what they lost or misdelivered.

Fed-Ex took care of it pronto. From what I've read about Fed-Ex, apparantly they have certain problem *hubs* where things get the abuse. I am near the Memphis hub. If I am order out of NY state, I usually get things within two days and unharmed.

[Vintage TX]

Tim,
I ship UPS to be safe and never had any packages damaged or lost.
Oversea shipping with Fed Ex works great but in US not so good because of the contract-drivers that Fed Ex use.
Rather UPS and higher rate. ;)
Of course I pack very well an most packages are 40 lbs and up to 90 lbs.

After the box arrived I ask the customer if it had any damage, broken corners etc, and Fed Ex seems to handle packages more rough compare to UPS.
Tracking info works better and customers have been happy with every shipment so far.
When shipping heavy reel to reel decks with 70 lbs unpacked weight it is always scary but UPS has never broke one yet.
"Knock on wood":)

[DaveM]

I ship packages almost everyday and I only use Fed-Ex. (I have used both though). I save a ton of money using Fed-Ex vs. UPS, and my guess is your company would too. I'm sure both companies do their share of destroying packages but in my experience Fed-Ex handles their packages much better. I wouldn't dare send a "monster receiver" via UPS, no way no how! I've had too many bad experiences with them both shipping and receiving damaged goods.

As for Fed-Ex they haven't "wrecked" anything that I've sent yet, but I'm sure someday I'll get that dreaded email, but in the meantime I'm sticking with Fed-Ex and saving money, check out the difference in prices, especially BIG HEAVY boxes, UPS literally charges double when you get into the OVERSIZED stuff.

Dave

P.S. - I drive 10 miles to ship Fed-Ex when UPS is less than ½ mile away. :)