bearisgray

It has been a long time since I shipped anything via UPS.

What I learned (yesterday and today) - after shipping one box! - (I do have a scale that weighs up to ten pounds that is accurate enough for mailing/shipping)

1) It is easier to call a UPS office with the weight and size of box (length, width, and height rounded up to nearest inch) than to try to figure out a rate from the web site.

2) I showed up at a UPS store (West St. Paul, MN) and was asked for a photo ID. The associate said that had been in place since 9/11/2001.

3) I wanted to pay by check, and was asked if I would pay by credit card instead.

4) It was about $7.00 less expensive to ship via UPS than by USPS for that box - it weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces.

mandyrose

do they take cash?

bearisgray

Don't know - did not want to use my cash.

ptquilts

you can set up an online account with UPS and generate shipping labels and pay online. Then just drop off with any brown truck or at the depot.

annievee

Good to know--thank you !

SusieQOH

Bear, is it cheaper than USPS flat rate? I have an account and the boxes for that. I've never shipped UPS so I don't know.
When I sell on Ebay I use USPS also. But the rates keep climbing!

MaggieLou

UPS is not always cheaper than the USPS. I find that FedEx is generally cheaper than UPS in nearly every case. I have a postal scale so it helps with determining the price. I usually check all three before deciding on which shipper to use.

MaggieLou

In answer to your question, depending on the weight USPS flat rate is not always cheaper. If I have an item that weighs less than one pound I ship First Class Mail if it's cheaper than Priority. Anything over one pound is usually about the same price between Priority and First Class. I rarely ship anything flat rate. I can usually find a cheaper rate. I ship on ebay too and I usually use FedEx Smart Post for heavier items. I check the prices from all three carriers then chose the cheapest.

bearisgray

I forgot about FedEx. I think DHL is another one that handles "mail" and packages.

I did not want to set up an account for only one item.

I could not get the items to fit in a USPS flat rate box, so that option was out.

MaggieLou

I'm not sure but I don't think you need an account. I think if you ship online you can do it without an account and pay with a credit or debit card.