My last job was with a company that only shipped thru UPS. We watched Fed Ex to see if we should switch. This is what we had to deal with. All of this is in their terms and conditions book and had been on their website. I'll paraphrase (lol)
UPS and Fed Ex have a rate increase at the beginning of each year on their published rate. They also have a residential charge (for homes), there is also a delivery area surcharge (BFE locations). Then they top it off with a fuel surcharge.
For me to send my mom a box to her home out in the middle of nowhere, I have to pay the new rate, the residential charge, delivery area surcharge, then they add the fuel surcharge. In the fall of '08 the fuel surcharge was up to 36%.
Then there are all the special charges to tack on...oversized, dimensional, international, not in cardboard (like a tire), the list goes on and on.
I'm hoping my next job takes me away from the whole shipping world it got way too complicated.