UPS Ground vs. USPS Priority Mail

[chuckdee]

I've always used UPS Ground- PROS: I have an account and you can track the whole way. CONS: it's about 25% more on average

I've noticed that USPS Priority Mail is a *lot* faster.

Are those the only differences between the two services?  And what do people use mostly around here?

[SpAmRaY]

I always use USPS priority or first class depending on what I'm shipping.

Most of the time buyers want the cheapest shipping option.

[pwade3]

I always use USPS priority or first class depending on what I'm shipping.

Most of the time buyers want the cheapest shipping option.

I have such mixed feelings between cost and speed, I've definitely been burned a time or two prioritizing one over the other. Reasons I love Amazon Prime.

Also, wildcard: I had my first experience with DHL after ordering Zealios. Super pleased with the shipping speed (left on Tuesday arrived on Thursday) as well as the frequent tracking updates compared to other shipping methods. But then again, it was like $15 shipping, iirc, so I definitely wouldn't want that for everything.

[chuckdee]

I always use USPS priority or first class depending on what I'm shipping.

Most of the time buyers want the cheapest shipping option.

Have you had any problems with it?  I just have never trusted USPS that much, and when I've had a problem with UPS (either in shipping or in confirmation of delivery) it's been very easy.

[fohat.digs]

There is no one best answer. Each carrier has its own system and voodoo price calculations.

UPS ground is the best nearby, to adjoining states, usually 1 day or 2 at most, at about the same or less than PO. As distances get longer, private carriers get more expensive and PO cheaper. For anything over a couple of pounds, flat rate PO priority is usually the way to go.

[noisyturtle]

Actually I have had far better luck with USPS than with UPS. Probably an outlier here.

[SpAmRaY]

I always use USPS priority or first class depending on what I'm shipping.

Most of the time buyers want the cheapest shipping option.

Have you had any problems with it?  I just have never trusted USPS that much, and when I've had a problem with UPS (either in shipping or in confirmation of delivery) it's been very easy.

I've been pretty lucky with USPS having shipped lots of keyboard related things all over the world so far everything has eventually arrived although some things take entirely too long on occasion. I've had keyboards coming to me as well as ones I've sent to others in CONUS just randomly disappear from tracking for a week with no explanation then just magically show up. I think the key with USPS is packing very well, I'm sure anyone I've sent things to can speak to the fact I typically overpack things.

I haven't ever shipped UPS other than with work and all those things are sent overnight, the only trouble I've had with UPS packages incoming is more due to the local driver being lazy. I still don't know what they did with a ~40lb bag of dog food that never showed up, it was marked as delivered so I assume they left it at the wrong house or accidentally busted the box and didn't want to take the blame.

The biggest factor for me is ease of access, I don't trust the UPS pickup option and the closest place to ship out UPS for me is at least 30 minutes out of the way while there are at least 3 post offices much closer, especially for small items I can drop in the box outside on my way to work in the early morning hours.