[Elecraft] OT: UPS Rates - Editorial Comment

[T. David Yarnes]

I'm not all that familiar with UPS rates now and previously. 
But it doesn't make much sense that rates would have 
"skyrocketed" just because of the increased cost of fuel. 
If this has indeed happened, then I think UPS is using fuel 
costs as an excuse to inordinately raise prices.  Fuel costs 
are only part of the overall cost of shipping, and they 
shouldn't represent the majority of the overall cost.  Like 
most other services, salaries, equipment costs, facility 
costs, etc. should represent most of the cost.  Fuel costs 
may have doubled, or nearly so, in the past year, but that 
should only apply to a portion of the overall cost.  They 
can spread this increased cost over a lot of packages.  If 
this weren't true, you would see similar increases in food 
costs, etc.  These have gone up too, but not as dramatically 
as you make it sound for shipping of packages.  But you 
don't say how much the increase really is, so I can't make 
any kind of real comparison.

USPS priority mail has been a very cost effective way to 
ship smaller packages and envelopes for some time.  It has 
always been cheaper than UPS, and I find it to generally be 
faster!  The one thing that is lacking is the ability to 
track your package.  If I am given the option, I usually 
choose USPS priority mail.  I've never had a problem using 
that option, but I must admit the lack of tracking is 
something that would make me nervous if it were something 
truly valuable being shipped.  Priority mail can be 1 to 2 
days faster than UPS.  I'm not sure you could send something 
as big as a radio by Priority Mail, but perhaps a smaller 
radio would be allowed size wise.  But I don't think I would 
be shipping my K3 via USPS.  I want to know exactly where it 
is all the way to the destination.  The tracking systems 
used by FedEx and UPS pretty much guarantee your package 
won't get lost.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob" <K2TK at att.net>
To: "Lee Buller" <k0wa at swbell.net>; 
<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: UPS Rates - Editorial Comment


> You would be hard pressed to beat the USPS today.  The 
> Priority Mail flat rate
> service is the way to go.  Check here:
>
> http://www.usps.com/shipping/flatrate.htm?from=priority&page=flatrate 
> <http://www.usps.com/shipping/flatrate.htm?from=priority&page=flatrate>
>
> $4.60 for an envelope and $8.95 for a box.   Whatever you 
> can fit in it, and they
> furnish the box or envelope too. Free sizes here:
>
> http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13359&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=11820 
> <http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13359&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=11820>
>
> I've abandoned a purchase when the vendor could or would 
> not use this service.
> Why pay 2 or more times the USPS rate for ground service 
> across the country by
> one of the Big 3 carriers taking 5 days, this is usually 3 
> day service.
>
> No, I'm not a Postal Employee just a satisfied user of the 
> service..... I'll concede
> that the tracking of a package is not as good. All you get 
> is pick up and delivery.
>
> 73,
> Bob
> K2TK
>>I have been using US Postal Service for all my shipping.
>>They are cheaper right now, and I sure an increase will be 
>>in the works, but they good service as well.  Also, they
>>do not up charge for shipping like other agents for UPS.
>>Right now the USPS is a great bargain for shipping.
>>
>>Lee
>>K0WA
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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