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| Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | Views: 1809 |
| Jul 26, 2006 6:01 pm | | Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
raj bhandari | | We ship about 20-30 US packages a week (and import internationally as well) - we were with Fedex and switched to DHL - any thoughts or suggestions? (I know about the Amex -Fedex discount). thanks
Raj
Silk Threads Designer Collection
www.SilkThreads.comPrivate Reply to raj bhandari |
| Jul 26, 2006 6:19 pm | | re: Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
Angelo Cerase | | One company I'd recommend staying away from is UPS.
They enjoy charging excessive fees when the package or letter crosses a border. MUCH higher fees than any other company. A friend of mine that shipped some documents across the US/Canadian border was charged $50 in brokerage fees. This was for a 8 1/2 x 11 inch envelope, not even a real package! He routinely uses other carriers and has never had a similar charge. And this is not the only person I know that has had this experience.
An experience like that can leave a bad taste in your customer's mouth. They buy your product, pay you for shipping, and then get this surprise charge when they receive the package. It's a nasty UPS charge that, although it is not your fault, may ruin the experience for your client. Even subconsiously they may link that experience of being "nickeled and dimed" by UPS to your company.
Just avoid UPS altogether, use another carrier - there are many others that are just as efficient, but can provide a better experience for your clients.
AngeloPrivate Reply to Angelo Cerase |
| Aug 29, 2006 5:28 am | | re: Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
nevadascul | | I spent 15 years in warehousing / shipping field. My first recommendations is to diversify your shipping. While you can get better rates sending all your packages with on shipper, you are also at their mercy. Here are some idea to consider.
Set up a freight account with several airlines. They offer counter to counter service. This means you bring the package to their shipping counter in your city. They load it on a plane that will land close to where you customer is located. Your customer then picks up his order at the shipping counter at the destination airport. I could ship an over night package for half of what the Parcel post service you mentioned. But, this shipping account has to be set up in advance. Since 9/11, the airlines now have to do back ground checks on all customers shipping freight in this manner. It takes about two weeks to do the background check.
You can also go counter to counter with the bus service in your area. Basic procedures are about the same and far cheaper than standard parcel post.
You might also look at having a third party warehouse handle your shipping needs. You provide them your product and they take care of shipping.
The parcel post carriers you mentioned both have good and bad points.
Private Reply to nevadascul |
| Aug 29, 2006 5:56 am | | re: Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
Reg Charie | | Try this site.
http://www.redroller.com/shippingcenter/home
You can get a comparison on shipping prices.
I would stay as far away from UPS as I could.
Buncha idiots. THey can make it as far as my apartment building lobby to hand deliver a notice to my mail box that says "Need detailed address".
RegPrivate Reply to Reg Charie |
| Sep 04, 2006 7:29 pm | | re: Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
Deana Clark | | I personally dont like UPS either. I live in a basement apartment that has its own address. UPS can never find it and they end up sending my package back as UNDELIVERABLE. They never even try. I have no problems getting stuff from FedEx. They have been great.
DeanaPrivate Reply to Deana Clark |
| Sep 04, 2006 11:07 pm | | re: Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
CSea Perkins | | I've used the 3 you mention and find USPS (not mentioned) and FedEx most reliable for your Global shipments. As a USDA importer, I've dealt with DHL and FedEx and prefer the latter to the quality of the package upon arrival, the fees and delivery times.
Back to shipping, we handle approximately the same volume and find USPS picking it up here after they provide the free shipping supplies and I obtain Domestic and International postage online w/USPS. USPS price tends to beat FedEx but delivery is stronger internationally w/FedEx.
We get what we pay for in most cases. Hope this helps your analysis.
BLENDING YOUR SERVICES is by far the most economical and effective method.
C.Sea
Sea Perkins
Solutions Analysis, Inc.
www.TBlastTODAY.com
(877) 239-8365Private Reply to CSea Perkins |
| Sep 04, 2006 11:10 pm | | re: re: Shipping discussion: Fedex vs DHL vs UPS | # |
Cathie Garnier | | Not sure there is a great choice for shipping! We use Fed Ex simply because our customer want to pay the least possible amount for shipping. But we spend tons of time filing claims. They break things constantly (we just filed our 4th claim on the same item sent out and broken 4 times!) and they lose stuff too (recently had a 100 lb package get lost - how do you lose something THAT size?). DHL is better as far as getting it there in 1 piece, but they charge more and don't offer the account discounts that Fed Ex does.
Another thing about Fed Ex is that their drivers are not employees like they are with other shipping companies, they are independent contractors. So not as much control over deliveries and driver problems.
Just hoping that another alternative comes along soon to give these other shippers some competition!
Cathie G.
One Group Certified Organics
If you wouldn't eat it why feed it to your skin?
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