Shipping Companies: Reviews

Updated January 2009

Okay, does it matter whether you ship your package with FedEx, UPS or the postal service? We found quite a few reviews who compare the three, mailing identical packages and monitoring for on-time delivery and shipping damage. Overall, your choice depends on what and where you need to ship.

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Best for shipping non-critical packages

United States Postal Service

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Experts say that prices at the Unites States Postal Service (USPS) can't be beat for almost any type of shipping or package size. And though some USPS services have longer transit times, reviewers say that if you can wait… expandan extra day you'll save a lot of money. The USPS also delivers to post office boxes, Army post offices (APOs) and fleet post offices (FPOs), which is a service that none of the other carriers provide. The USPS will save you money in packing supplies as well -- all Priority Mail boxes are provided for free. They'll even deliver supplies to your door at no charge. The drawback is that the Postal Service falls short when it comes to the ability to track packages; the USPS website just can't give you the type of detailed tracking provided by FedEx and UPS. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports analyze the major shipping companies for both local and long-distance overnight deliveries as well as two-day deliveries.

Georgia Tech Supply Chain Logistics Institute: The Georgia Tech Supply Chain Logistics Institute states that the USPS has better international connections than other carriers because it works closely with local postal services, which can also be a disadvantage when local services are ineffective.

Logistics Management: The USPS is making changes to prices and services in an attempt to better position themselves as a competitor of UPS, FedEx and DHL, according to this article.

BloggingStocks.com: The USPS has begun offering services and discounts in order to gain ground against UPS and FedEx.

eBay.com: In this comparison review, the USPS is praised for providing free boxes, several service options and cheap insurance.

AssociatedContent.com: Parcel Post, according to the author of this article, is usually cheaper than ground shipping with UPS, except for some heavier items.

Get More Information at USPS.com

Most reliable overnight delivery

FedEx

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Reviewers claim that FedEx is the carrier of choice for air deliveries, including last-minute deliveries. They are so reliable that even the U.S. Post Office contracts with them for their Express and Priority Mail… expandshipments. Although FedEx can't compete with the USPS on price, they do offer more air-delivery options, such as two early morning overnight services in addition to two- and three-day options. What's more, all air deliveries are guaranteed through FedEx, while only Express Mail is guaranteed at the Postal Service. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports compare three shipping companies for efficiency and price.

Georgia Tech Supply Chain Logistics Institute: Georgia Tech students send packages to five international destinations via UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS. Obscure locations are chosen for the test, and results are compared.

Unishippers.com: This study compares the reliability of early morning next-day delivery between FedEx, DHL and UPS. Over 14,000 packages are delivered in 20 cities.

BloggingStocks.com: Both FedEx and UPS are compared thoroughly in this article.

AssociatedContent.com: The author of this article explains that although FedEx is generally more expensive than the USPS and DHL, it does provide the best tracking as well as fast delivery.

Get More Information at FedEx.com

Best for ground deliveries

UPS

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With nearly 63,000 shipping locations (compared to 51,000 for FedEx) it's not hard to find a UPS branch in your area. Services provided at these locations are very similar to those offered at FedEx, but the company is… expandbest known for its ground-delivery service, which can sometimes be more affordable than that of the USPS and slightly faster, too. All shipments through UPS have guaranteed on-time delivery, with the exception of ground shipments mailed during the holiday season. Tracking is far better than the service offered by the Postal Service -- every time your package is scanned its location and delivery date is updated online. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Unishippers.com: A 2006 study performed by PA Consulting Group finds UPS to be 90.83 percent reliable with its 10:30 a.m.

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports look at the big U.S. shipping companies for both overnight and non-critical deliveries.

BloggingStocks.com: A BloggingStocks.com poll shows that readers prefer UPS to FedEx 61 to 39 percent.

BloggingStocks.com: Author Kevin Shult says that with all of the UPS locations in the United States, it would be almost impossible not to find one near you.

eBay.com: The author of this article, known only as "lookinforit05," points out that insurance up to $100 is included for free with every UPS shipment and that each additional $100 of coverage is only a dollar more.

Get More Information at UPS.com

International shipments

DHL

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DHL is best known for its affordable pricing and reliable international delivery service. Reviewers say that the German-owned company has strong international ties and is the only company who can successfully deliver to… expandsome obscure locations. DHL is not bound by U.S. sanctions and embargoes and can thus deliver to places that the USPS, FedEx and UPS cannot, such as North Korea and Cuba. Note that DHL has suspended U.S. ground operations due to mounting financial losses. International delivery to and from the United States will continue. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Unishippers.com: In a 2006 PA Consulting Group study of overnight deliveries, DHL is found to be just behind UPS in reliability.

LiveScience.com: DHL delivers packages faster and in better condition to remote international locations than both UPS and FedEx, according to a 2007 Georgia Tech study.

AssociatedContent.com: According to this comparison review, DHL has less expensive prices than both UPS and FedEx.

BloggingStocks.com: This article only briefly mentions DHL as a cheaper alternative to UPS and FedEx.

Georgia Tech Supply Chain Logistics Institute: Students at the Georgia Tech Supply Chain Logistics Institute comment on the great customer service of DHL, who they describe as "prompt and consistent." Students were also impressed that DHL offered service in Spanish as well.

Get More Information at DHL.com