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USPS, FedEx, or UPS

USPS is who I use. My sister lived in Alaska for 25 years, now she’s in the San Juans. It’s always been dependable for me.
 
I find USPS has poor and expensive selection of shipping bags and boxes

I’ve received packages in white outside silver inside plastic self seal bags from FedEx> what I’d like to use. Never been inside FedEx , I don’t know what’s available. I guess I need to check them out.
 
Escape pod said:
I find USPS has poor and expensive selection of shipping bags and boxes

I’ve received packages in white outside silver inside plastic self seal bags from FedEx> what I’d like to use. Never been inside FedEx , I don’t know what’s available. I guess I need to check them out.
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The key to FedEx or UPS is to have a buddy that has a commercial account. It’s been my experience that they are priced very high.

PS: can you use a drivers side window switch for your van?
 
if you’re looking for someone to package for you - definitely fed-ex. they have crazy good behind-the-counter packaging. not the least expensive option though.
 
At home, I found a box 18x12x12 and stuffed it full, more than a dozen items, wasn’t counting. Taped it shut, addressed it and drove to USPS Office. At the counter, I asked for flat rate shipping. Was told I can’t have that because I used my own box. oh/ 13 lbs. 6 oz.paid to ship it. It’s to arrive in six days, has automatic hundred thousand dollar Insurance., not sure how that would work. The grumpy post service lady ., took the box carried it a few steps to put throw in a bin, missed the bin, it fell to the floor 3 1/2 feet, she said her back hurts.
 
USPS is a great service. I use it for all of my shipments. I love the "If it fits,it ships" priority mail option. The boxes and even padded envelopes can be ordered online and delivered to your home, completely free. Our local USPS workers are all great.
 
USPS tracking sucks most of the time but it does get there usually.

FedEx/UPS if you want great tracking info and don't mind paying a premium
 
It’s all pot luck. No real difference between the three.

And even if you ship via Fed Ex or UPS, it very well may be delivered by USPS.
 
That's because the USPS is required to go to any address to deliver. Another reason the USPS is the best choice.
 
Bubba_s said:
That's because the USPS is required to go to any address to deliver. Another reason the USPS is the best choice.
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Not true. Tres Pinos is an example.

Plenty of small towns served by a tiny post office and everyone who lives there is required to have a PO Box- if they want mail anyway- they do not deliver at all. Stunningly, you get to meet/greet/chat with your neighbors who live 1/2 to 10 miles away. Go figure.

(No idea is the item is addressed First/Last name, c/o General Delivery, City, State, zip works or not.)
 
NorCalBusa said:
Not true. Tres Pinos is an example.

Plenty of small towns served by a tiny post office and everyone who lives there is required to have a PO Box- if they want mail anyway- they do not deliver at all. Stunningly, you get to meet/greet/chat with your neighbors who live 1/2 to 10 miles away. Go figure.

(No idea is the item is addressed First/Last name, c/o General Delivery, City, State, zip works or not.)
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Same as San Martin. Couldn't get mail at home had to have a PO box.
 
NorCalBusa said:
Not true. Tres Pinos is an example.

Plenty of small towns served by a tiny post office and everyone who lives there is required to have a PO Box- if they want mail anyway- they do not deliver at all. Stunningly, you get to meet/greet/chat with your neighbors who live 1/2 to 10 miles away. Go figure.

(No idea is the item is addressed First/Last name, c/o General Delivery, City, State, zip works or not.)
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Ok. But they are required to deliver to those PO boxes. In my view the reason it's that way in Tres Pinas is due to some shitty interpretation of the existing laws. Like how my neighbors one street over get mail put into their mail slots on their front doors, I get mail at my home mailbox on the street and my neighbors on the next street (All houses built decades apart) have a community box they all have to walk to. Every citizen is entitled by the constitution to get mail delivered to them. Am I wrong there? I appreciate your point btw.
 
Every citizen is entitled by the constitution to get mail delivered to them. Am I wrong there?
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Believe you are wrong. While there's a clause in the Constitution for a postal system, no citizen is guaranteed delivery. Roads, offices but not to your door.

Postal Clause - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

The Constitution and the Postal System | Constitution Center

President-elect Donald Trump has revived talk from his previous term of moving to privatize the United States Postal System. To be sure, such a process would be complicated and would likely require an act of Congress.
constitutioncenter.org
 
Escape pod said:
At home, I found a box 18x12x12 and stuffed it full, more than a dozen items, wasn’t counting. Taped it shut, addressed it and drove to USPS Office. At the counter, I asked for flat rate shipping. Was told I can’t have that because I used my own box. oh/ 13 lbs. 6 oz.paid to ship it. It’s to arrive in six days, has automatic hundred thousand dollar Insurance., not sure how that would work. The grumpy post service lady ., took the box carried it a few steps to put throw in a bin, missed the bin, it fell to the floor 3 1/2 feet, she said her back hurts.
Click to expand...
USPS is bomb if you do it a certain way, which is not quite what you did. It's the Priority Mail Flat Rate stuff that's great. The boxes are free, plus you can grab some extra boxes and use them as packaging material, which is maybe a little shitty, plus is only works as packaging for certain parts that aren't delicate, but works well for hard parts. And if you're not shipping through a platform like eBay that has integrated shipping service to pay and print your labels, then just sign up for a USPS account and print your labels there, then your trips to the post office just a hi-bye dropoff. You can pay a little extra for signature confirmation and if you need insurance beyond $100.
 
Check the USPS insurance I think it only covers if lost not damaged or at least that is what I got the last time I actually read it which was quite a few years ago.
 
I know everyone at my local Post office. They would go above and beyond for me. Anytime I need to deal with UPS or Fedex its another rando worker who wont be there in 3 months
 
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