[ForSale-Swap] CONUS?

[Barry Hauser]

I've had heavy rigs shipped to me from Hawaii (to NY) -- like an R-1051G at 
over 70 lbs.  via UPS.  The rate at the time (a few years ago) was just as 
if it was one zone more than the West Coast and it took only one or two days 
more than it would from CA.  In fact, the ground packages fly from Hawaii to 
the West Coast, then go ground for the CONUS leg of the trip.

Again, this was a few years ago, but even then they had a fuel surcharge. 
DHL and Fedex are often cheaper.

Parcel post can be very slow depending on the distance and specifics of the 
origin and destination.  Tracking is minimal, even with delivery 
confirmation.  If something has not arrived on time - -and it's difficult to 
know just what "on time" is, you have to wait two or more weeks before a 
trace will be put on it.  With UPS, Fedex, DHL, if it's gone missing more 
than 24 hrs, the shipper can initiate a trace.  While the tracking is not 
perfect with them, I have intercepted inbound and outbound shipments that 
were apparently getting misrouted.  For example, I had a UPS package coming 
to me from somewhere due West of NY.  They normally come into one of two 
places in New Jersey the day before delivery, then move overnight to the 
nearby hub on Long Island.  The thing came into NJ, but then showed it 
headed south -- bound for a hub in Florida -- as I could see from the 
tracking.  I called them and straightened it out.  It was delayed, but at 
least I knew where it was, more or less.

BTW, UPS ground timing is guaranteed.  If the package arrives as much as a 
day late, you are entitled to a full refund of the shipping.  However, the 
process can be a bit awkward as it's the shipper who has to put in for it, 
unless it was on the recipient's account.  Usually, we're happy to get our 
gear in one piece and it would require some back 'n forth to work out the 
refund.  I'm not even sure what would be appropriate in terms of who gets 
the money.  The seller could have well shipped a day later than he did, so? 
I suppose it would be fair to split it, but I suspect UPS rarely gets held 
to the guranteed timing.

While I'm digressing, you guys should be aware that Fedex Ground comes in 
two flavors -- regular (commercial) Ground and Home Delivery.  If a package 
is under 70 lbs and the destination is indicated as "residential", it goes 
Home Delivery automatically.  Delivery is Tuesday through Saturday  -- which 
can be an advantage in getting it delivered sooner, depending on the timing. 
Also Home Delivery runs to later hrs. in the day.  Regular Fedex Ground is 
M-F, business hrs.  If a package is over 70, it goes regular Ground.  Rates 
are similar - mostly different "flavors".

I tend to prefer USPS Priority Mail for smaller, lightweight items.  They 
deliver in two days almost without exception and delivery is six days a 
week.  If you can use a flat rate package -- that's great too.  Delivery 
confirmation is included -- I think -- if you set up the shipment on the 
USPS website.  You can do it all there and print a label, whether or not you 
pay the postage on-line.  Before shipping parcel post, check the rate for 
Priority Mail.  In many cases, it's not much more.  You can put stamps on or 
a meter label.  If you are using your own box, be sure to have plenty of 
Priority Mail tape and/or stickers on it so it's obvious.  I have had one or 
two P/M shipments treated as if they were parcel post -- probably 
mis-sorted.

My apologies for the digression, but hope the info can be useful.

Barry