Poll: Who do you prefer to use for shipping?

Depends on where it is going. When shipping on the same coast I always use UPS, will usually get there in two days and have never lost a box. When shipping to the middle states or opposite coast I always use USPS Flat Rate Priority, gets there in two days every time and again have never lost a box. I never use FedEx.

 

I prefer UPS and I've never had an issue with them. I've had a ton of issues with USPS and Fedex boxes coming to me though. I've used USPS flat myself a handful of times when going to the opposite coast and used Fedex once and my box arrive safe.

Could have just been bad luck on my part, but I've had a ton of Fedex delays lately (the most recent was a buddy of mine who lives 2 hours away and it took a week to get the box) and then USPS later in the summer sent my JREAM box from MD to NC before finally getting the box to me a week later with exploded out cans due to sitting around in heat for a week bouncing around the entire east coast lol.

 

I use USPS unless I absolutely need to use a different carrier due to cost.

FedEx would be a last resort as they are most likely to take the beer.

UPS if I need to ship a large box (35+ lbs). The cost ends up being high for USPS in my experience.

USPS for everything in 1 or multiple Priority Shippers. Cheaper, faster, more reliable, the boxes make it to the recipient even if damaged. I have received a USPS with damage once, and sent one with damage once. I have sent over 200 priority shippers and received a similar amount. Great success rate.

The box I received with damage actually contained a hand written apology letter from the USPS.

 

Usually USPS (its close and flat rate boxes are often cheaper) and occasionally Fedex (when it's much cheaper than USPS).

I used to use UPS but stopped after they lost a box I sent. Not broken in transit or anything, they just lost it and it never got anywhere. Likely was an isolated case but haven't had anything be broken or lost with either USPS or Fedex.

 

FedEx checking in.

400+ boxes over 10 years of trading & exactly zero broken bottles (at least outgoing).

For that reason alone I stick with FedEx. But the few times I've used UPS at a trader's request, the employees are much nosier in my neck of the woods. Not interested in answering questions when I drop off a box.

 

I started using Fed Ex over UPS since it's very convenient for me and I've never had a problem/my local people are really nice.

Just recently I've started using USPS for the flat rate. I've only done that with cans so far since they fit so nice. I guess that's one plus about living in the middle of the country and sending both directions, Fed Ex ends up not being much more than the flat rate.

 

Just to clarify, it is illegal to ship beer via the USPS.

 

I have never had a problem using UPS but I've mad multiple problems with Fed Ex, both in shipping and receiving.

 

Yeah, this is what freaks me out about shipping USPS.

I ship w/ Fedex and haven't had any issues (nor any questions about what I'm shipping). I'm fairly new to trading -- 14 trades here plus maybe another 10 via Facebook -- but I'd say roughly 75% of the boxes I've received have been sent via Fedex. If more packages are sent overall via Fedex than via other methods (which is what the results of this survey indicate so far), then it's of course not surprising that there would be more problems w/ Fedex packages than with packages from other carriers.

 

100% - it is a crime to ship beer via USPS, it is not a crime to ship it via UPS or Fed Ex. BIG DIFFERENCE !!!

 

This is a very good point from @eppie82 that should be noted.

Please let me add, however, that as a professional I'm talking about a large volume of shipping and receiving in my experience (25+ years). With a few exceptions, White Labs being one, I've insisted that all of my shipments of perishable or delicate materials be made via UPS after encountering multiple failures from Fed Ex.

 

I was specifically told by a UPS employee that it is illegal to ship alcohol through UPS unless you have the specific licensing to do so.

I started out with UPS due to convenience but did not like the questioning while dropping off boxes and dealing with the 'super UPS employee." I go a little out of my way to ship through FedEx Office and have only been asked once what I was shipping. This in probably 75+ boxes I've dropped off.

I understand convenience likely plays a role in which company you use. For me it's just how smooth using FedEx Office has been, their friendly employees, and the Walgreens hold option

 

Good call...greater sample size

 

Im new to trading. Ive shipped once with fedex once with ups once with no problems and no questions. But it was over 40 bucks to ship from Tx to NY...Im wondering if usps is cheaper...

 

Walgreens hold option??

 

If you can fit it in the flat rate box. Yes it is

 

I have not shipped a ton of items to this point but of the roughly 20 packages I've shipped I have used Fed Ex exclusively and have never had an issue. I will say that one package that was coming to me via Fed Ex was somehow damaged but my belief is that it may have been seepage due to very cold weather.

 

I live in Alaska - UPS / FedEx are in the $70 range so I used USPS. Never had an issue outgoing with USPS but had many issues incoming: well packed boxes were almost always very beat up and I quit trading after 2 incoming boxes just never showed up. Got 2 nastygrams from USPS (as did the shippers) about a month later saying boxes leaked and were destroyed.

So now, it’s IP only.