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Post by sharon on Dec 16, 2010 15:19:47 GMT -4
I sent a pkg awhile back from IS, over by Food Lion, as I have since I moved to KI several yrs ago. The service was good & the rates were better than the PO plus I could track the pkg through UPS or FedX.
Well I sent 2 pkgs from IS today. The 1 pkg was $23 for a 24lb square box going to Illinois.
The 2nd pkg was $15 for a 2.2lb, 2ft x 5in oblong box going to the same location as the 1st. When I asked why so much I was told because it is an odd shape.
I sent them but after thinking about it for a bit a I contacted UPS. Gave them the weight & dimensions & was given a price almost 1/2 of what I paid. I was asked where I sent it from & I told them. I was then told that even though they are a drop/pu for FedX & UPS they CAN add additional fees.
It was suggested that I either open an account with UPS in which I then would pay the rate to a region by weight or I could take it to the UPS store, which is over by the new Verizon store (I didnt know that), & again not be charged extra because a box is a different shape.
Soooo........my lesson today is from now on I will go to the UPS store (or may even just open an acct) to do my shipping.
I'm all for doing business with local merchants but not if Im going to pay a lot more for doing so.
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Post by by by by on Dec 16, 2010 16:10:14 GMT -4
You forgot to mention they will pack your box for you and supply any other stuff you need for your shipment...I don't mind paying for their services....it's a lot easier
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Post by double on Dec 16, 2010 16:43:33 GMT -4
^^That is why UPS Store came here.
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Post by sharon on Dec 16, 2010 18:13:30 GMT -4
actually namret for the difference in what I was charged they should have packed it for me. I dont mind a dollar or so difference but not almost double.
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Post by bchevy on Dec 16, 2010 18:30:15 GMT -4
The 2nd pkg was $15 for a 2.2lb, 2ft x 5in oblong box going to the same location as the 1st. When I asked why so much I was told because it is an odd shape. I sent them but after thinking about it for a bit a I contacted UPS. Gave them the weight & dimensions & was given a price almost 1/2 of what I paid. I was asked where I sent it from & I told them. I was then told that even though they are a drop/pu for FedX & UPS they CAN add additional fees. I'm all for doing business with local merchants but not if Im going to pay a lot more for doing so. so,,, was it an odd shape, or maybe long? Opening up the UPS account is a good idea, I have one, BUT you'll still pay extra if it's big, Long, or odd.
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Post by bchevy on Dec 16, 2010 18:33:00 GMT -4
^^That is why UPS Store came here. The UPS store "came here" because someone bought a franchise. It's no more of a shipping store than the others
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Post by sharon on Dec 16, 2010 19:29:34 GMT -4
bc - the box was just a touch under 2 ft long, 5 inches high & 5 inches deep.
It was the UPS office that suggested I go to the new store out here (of course) but there wouldnt be any extra charges. I was quoted a price for the 2 boxes I sent by IS that was almost 1/2 of what I paid. That if I had taken them to the UPS store that is what I would have paid, nothing more.
Guess I'll see how the rates are the next time I send a pkg.
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Post by double on Dec 16, 2010 20:07:51 GMT -4
True
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Post by einebierbitte on Dec 17, 2010 0:00:31 GMT -4
I have always thought IS shipping was high, mainly because outside of the post office they were the only ones that shipped and most people want convenience and too lazy to drive across the bridge to FEDEX or other shipping places. I was going to ship a box to the DH when he was deployed from IS and the rate they quoted me was ridiculous, I am like OK, let me think about it, walked over to the post office and mailed it for quite a bit less and delivery time was the same, no faster than IS....Used the Post office ever since. Used them for copies.... but not anymore either...... I haven't been to the new UPS store, but going tomorrow cause I have a friend who works there!!
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Post by moosie on Dec 17, 2010 0:45:29 GMT -4
i just use the post office, too. cheaper.
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Post by by by by on Dec 17, 2010 8:27:27 GMT -4
For domestic packages, use the post office. For out of country, IS is very useful!!!
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Post by bchevy on Dec 17, 2010 8:31:45 GMT -4
i just use the post office, too. cheaper. I'll just say it pays to shop. USPS is cheaper on some things, mostly under 4 pounds. UPS is definately cheaper on most items that weigh a little more and are going further. USPS Flat rate boxes are also very good deal for items that fit and are heavier than 4 or 5 pounds. Anyone can go to the UPS site with weight and dimensions and get a quote for shipping cost but this will not include the profit/markup if you have ANY shipping store pack it and ship it for you.
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Post by kiboater on Dec 17, 2010 10:59:28 GMT -4
Both stores will charge over the direct rates because they have to pay rent and make a profit. The easiest way around this is to go on-line to UPS and open an account and give them a credit card number. An individual who only ships one or two packages a year can do this.
Then when you want to ship something just go on line and enter the info and print out a label and put it on the box. Then take the package to the UPS store and hand it to them and there is no extra charge. Fedex ground is cheaper than UPS but I don't think there is a place on the island to drop them off.
I run a small business out of my home and do this all the time.
Frank
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Post by sharon on Dec 17, 2010 11:15:31 GMT -4
TY baltfrank for making the process clearer than I did. That was basically what the UPS person told me to do to prevent extra charges.
I know you can send stuff FedX from IS.....couldnt you do the same with FedX & an account then as with UPS? Just curious. We have never had any problems with UPS & I just figured Id get the account with them to avoid those extra charges.
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Post by nightpurse99 on Dec 17, 2010 22:53:12 GMT -4
I love I.S. BUT they are very$$$. I jus go in there drop off what I want to send and pay the tab and leave. They have all my shipping address on file and pack my goodie's. They arive on time and in good condition. BUT like I said I do pay for it..
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Post by kiboater on Dec 17, 2010 23:46:46 GMT -4
TY baltfrank for making the process clearer than I did. That was basically what the UPS person told me to do to prevent extra charges. I know you can send stuff FedX from IS.....couldnt you do the same with FedX & an account then as with UPS? Just curious. We have never had any problems with UPS & I just figured Id get the account with them to avoid those extra charges. First you have to understand that Fedex Express (Air) and Fedex Ground are two different entities owned by the same company. Island Shipping is listed on Fedex site for Air and Ground so you probably can drop off shipments. You can only put Air packages in the Fedex boxes. Frank
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Post by moosie on Dec 18, 2010 8:43:29 GMT -4
don't they pick up at your home?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2010 9:45:16 GMT -4
Check this link out for details on the postal service flat rates......I like the if it fits, it ships! www.prioritymail.com/flatrates.aspWant to hear something that is messed up but not surprising. The postal service is mandated by congress to deliver to every address regardless of how far and remote it is, cost be darned. So, smart business companies like fedex and ups for ground service use the postal service to send to remote locations, since the postal service has to go there anyway. It saves fedex/ups money not sending trucks out.
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jef
New Member
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Post by jef on Dec 21, 2010 12:39:18 GMT -4
We here at Island Shipping & More work hard every day to provide good service at a fair price to our customers, so we were distraught to learn that Sharon felt she was overcharged for a package she sent to Illinois. In fact, she was not and she was gracious enough to take my call in which I explained to her what happened. This is to share that explanation with all of you in this forum. We are a re-seller of UPS shipping services and our rates are the UPS suggested retail rates. Presumably, ours are the same as the rates charged at The UPS Store. We represent Federal Express as well, which is good for our customers, because many times the FedEx rate is less than UPS, or for a few pennies more they will deliver a day sooner. While we are permitted to charge “Add Ons”, we do not. We also have reasonable prices for packing materials and actually waive the packing service fee for customers who ship with us. When Sharon called UPS she learned that she is able to go to their site, print a label and pay the wholesale rate. Effectively, they will charge her the same rate they charge us. In other words, UPS does not support their retail outlets. Clearly, if everybody did that, there would be no retail outlets. In that scenario the customer would pay a significant fee for UPS to pick up their package at their home, or drive it to Easton to drop off at the UPS facility. In order to pay the rent, federal, state and county taxes, meet the payroll, and all the other costs of operating a bricks & mortar store, we must make a margin. Consider your local hardware store, for example. Suppose they pay Craftsman Tools $6.00 for a hammer and sell it for $10.00. That’s how they pay their expenses. If you attempt to buy that hammer directly from Craftsman for $6.00, they won’t do it. They will direct you to a retail outlet and in that manner they support the retail chain, unlike UPS. This is the fundamental flaw in the UPS Store business model, the reason the failure rate is so high, and the reason so many franchisees have filed suit against UPS. Independent stores like Island Shipping are successful because we are able to supplement our shipping business with other goods and services that the franchisees are not permitted to offer. That is what the “& More” is all about. The situation with the Post Office is similar in that we pay face value for postage; therefore we add a modest margin and have a notice of that fact posted at the counter in our store. We offer the USPS alternative reluctantly and will frequently suggest to customers they will save money if they go to the Post Office themselves, especially for international destinations. The bigger issue with the Post Office is they compete directly with Federal Express and UPS and lose money on every package they handle. The current annual loss is in the $7 Billion range, because their prices are not high enough to be profitable. In any other industry this would be considered predatory pricing and be illegal. Sooner or later this will be rectified and the playing field will become more level. In conclusion, we greatly value our many good customers and appreciate their support. We hope you are among them. Jef Friton
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Post by by by by on Dec 21, 2010 13:55:28 GMT -4
Thanks Jef....the truth comes out!!
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Post by Frank on Dec 21, 2010 16:11:14 GMT -4
When my son was in boy scouts, Island Shipping allowed the kids to weigh their pinewood derby cars on their digital scale. That was enough for me. I've always been pleased with Island Shipping, although I don't ship enough stuff to worry about prices. A couple of times a year I need to send something out from home, they can have my business.
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Post by pirategirl on Dec 23, 2010 9:14:29 GMT -4
I have been using Island Shipping for 8 years. Nancy and the crew give the best customer service, are always friendly, and every time I leave, I know my packages will get to their destination intact. I have called to ask to pick up packages there when I know I will not be home to sign, and have never had a problem. You might meet a dog there, kids playing, and the local artwork is great if you forget a gift for someone. It's a Home Town feel, and I will gladly pay a little more for this. They are part of KI and I hope they stay there.
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Post by moose on Jan 10, 2011 15:48:00 GMT -4
Island shipping tried to charge me a lot more then what the USPS right next door wanted to charge me. I was shipping a oil pan to a solider that I wasnt using. He was only paying the shipping.
I want to say it was 40$ + at island shipping, 20$ at USPS next door to them.
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Post by deputy on Jan 10, 2011 16:39:14 GMT -4
I'll just say it pays to shop. USPS is cheaper on some things, mostly under 4 pounds. UPS is definately cheaper on most items that weigh a little more and are going further. USPS Flat rate boxes are also very good deal for items that fit and are heavier than 4 or 5 pounds. Anyone can go to the UPS site with weight and dimensions and get a quote for shipping cost but this will not include the profit/markup if you have ANY shipping store pack it and ship it for you. Some people just don't read. Shop your costs, I.S. WILL BE MORE if you're going with USPS, I.S. is going to profit on you, they have to, that what a business does, it's what they're supposed to do. It all depends on the WEIGHT, the SIZE, and the DESTINATION. No ONE carrier will be cheaper every time on every item.
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