Re: [CR] FED EX Ground vs UPS

(Example: Racing)

From: "krawls" <krawls@visuallink.com>
To: <GPVB1@cs.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <10f.2ab77745.2d2c9788@cs.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] FED EX Ground vs UPS
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 18:54:39 -0500


Actually if you are willing to ship Parcel Post the limit is 130 inches.

Karen (Postal Clerk) Rawls
Winchester VA


----- Original Message -----
From: GPVB1@cs.com
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: [CR] FED EX Ground vs UPS



> Ray:
>
> Good points - thanks. That reminds me that 108" is the max. for Priority Mail
> at the Post Office - not 112." I mis-spoke in my earlier post. Sorry
> all.....
>
> USPS will take a box that is larger than that (up to 130" IIRC) but it has to
> go Parcel Post, which is slooooow, and they will ding you $50-80 to ship a
> whole bike - not real cost effective. Some larger framesets exceed 108" even
> when packed carefully....
>
> For shipping complete bikes, I don't even pack them anymore. I charge my
> customers $60 for Domestic 48 shipping, then wheel the bike into my LBS and pay
> them to pack and ship it via UPS. I sometimes lose money vs. the $60 charge, but
> it saves me a bunch of time and hassle, and I'm giving the LBS a little
> business, so I figure it's worth it. I even shipped a tandem that way (and the LBS
> and I both learned the hard way that you don't want any single box to be over
> 130" of combined girth plus length - it was a $177 charge to ship it to Calif.
> via UPS Ground!).
>
> Regards,
>
> Greg Parker
> Ann Arbor, MI
>
>
> > Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 16:32:51 -0500 (EST)
> > From: wheelman@nac.net
> > To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > Subject: [CR]FED EX Ground vs UPS
> >
> >
> > I have some experience in this area and can offer the following
> > information. First, I am in the Northeast and it seems most of the people
> > I sell bikes to are always on the west coast. This is probably the worst
> > case scenario for a domestic shipment inside the lower 48. Now I have used
> > UPS, FedX and the USPS and here is what I find.
> >
> > UPS rates keep climbing and like was mentioned before most bike boxes get
> > rated as oversized 2. This carries an automatic 70 pound rate no matter if
> > the box has 10 pounds inside. This can be an expensive proposition if you
> > are selling frames alone. Service wise they are fine, you can track your
> > shipment on line, have them estimate a delivery date and it always seems
> > to work out. Another beef, the rate calculator web site I use at home is
> > not very good at calculating the oversized stuff and you can get caught
> > off guard when you bring it to the counter.
> >
> > FedX, I have tried them recently at a customers request and find them
> > equal service wise to UPS but for some reason in my location they will not
> > carry change. This means you have to have the exact amount of money that
> > they will charge or you leave change on the table. This has happened to me
> > twice before I figured out what was going on. Rates seem to be less than
> > UPS so far but not by much. They also can calculate delivery pretty well.
> > Their rate calculator on line is also not very good at estimating. I find
> > that their system is pretty old fashioned as I have to fill out a paper
> > form longhand with a lot of useless information before I submit the box
> > for shipment. UPS has this computerized and all you do is key in the
> > customers name and address and it takes care of the rest. You print a
> > label and take it to the counter.
> >
> > USPS, I have used the Post Office for frames and smaller bikes and even
> > once shipped a bike to Japan in two boxes and here is why. The USPS will
> > only take a box with the combined lenth and girth of 108 inches. This is
> > the size of a BMX box. Any larger and they will reject it. If you can get
> > your bike or frame into this size box you can save a bundle about half of
> > what UPS or FedX charges. My shipment to Japan saved the customer about
> > $400, no kidding. I broke the bike up into the frame and some parts and
> > the wheels and some parts. Shipped it surface which took over a month in
> > transit but the customer was willing to wait for the savings. Both boxes
> > arrived and the total shipping cost was just under $90 to Japan.
> >
> > I offer this information just as a guideline but it has also caused me to
> > re-think selling a complete bike. I hate to admit it but selling a bike
> > broken up brings in more money from ebay and shipping is more reasonable
> > with a lot less hassles. I have been hit with a couple of complaints about
> > shipping cost for a bike and my reply is to have the prospective buyer
> > pick a carrier and set up the shipping on their end. Quite soon they come
> > back and just pay the original transportation cost that I asked for once
> > they find out on their own what it really costs. Remember, cusotmers can
> > arrange a for a shipping tag with a carrier so they pay the actual cost
> > and all you have to do is deliver the box addressed.
> >
> > Some tips. Here in the NE I have no problem with getting bicycle boxes. I
> > visit several bike shops and they are all to willing to let me have more
> > than I can take. I am often surprised at postings I see from the west
> > coast where bike shops charge for a box (nonsense). I have one bike shop
> > that I do a lot of business with, we have become personal friends. He
> > saves me all packing materials that he takes off new bikes that he build
> > up. I get the frame wrap, fork inserts, plastic axle flanges and small
> > parts boxes all for free. Also where I work I have access to the re-cycle
> > bins for old packing materials. I get all the bubble wrap, foam and
> > packing peanuts for free that I would ever want. Check out these
> > possibilities and save youself and your customers a few bucks.
> >
> > Ray Homiski
> > Elizabeth, NJ