Is it cheaper to use ups or uspostal for books?

[trisharog]

Thanks,
Trisha

[Rhonda in TX]

For one thing, you can send things media mail or parcel post and that is cheaper than priority mail. That makes it much cheaper than UPS.

[stripe]

For one thing, you can send things media mail or parcel post and that is cheaper than priority mail. That makes it much cheaper than UPS.

Media mail is shockingly cheap, particularly for a big box of heavy stuff. Use that if you have books or tapes. It can be s-l-o-w. But sometimes not.

If someone is nearby to you geographically, parcel post is not bad at all. It usually is delivered quickly and is not expensive. I once shipped someone in a neighboring state a GIANT box with a food processor in it (don't ask!), and I was impressed at how cheap it was. If it's books you're sending, though, media mail is cheaper.

But if you want it guaranteed fast, don't forget the priority mail flat rate boxes! You can pay online for a 10% discount and free delivery confirmation. They're good for heavy stuff because...well, it's a flat rate. So it will come out to be significantly cheaper than if you use your own box (not to mention the free box). This would be for several pounds worth, not just for one book.

[Tree House Academy]

USPS Media Mail.

[mom4him]

I agree that usp is cheaper and many times faster even when sent media mail. One thing have have learned to do is get delivery confermation. I had a package get lost and they told me that if I had done this they could have put a tracer on it. It is less than $1 no matter how big or small the package.

[Love2Smile]

I'd be very careful using the postoffice...they are known to damage things....

[happyholly]

us postal is cheaper

[MOM24WONDERS]

Do the flat rate boxes work for Canada, too? I am needing to ship something to Canada and it's going to cost the person $25 for a 5.2 lb box. I was thinking about those flat rate boxes and it would be much cheaper that way...IF they can be sent to Canada.

Hope someone knows the answer!

[3blessingmom]

If I was sending something worth any $$$$, I would send UPS. Gotta love their tracking:D

I send most things media mail with dc. I have had 2 packages damaged with media mail, but never the packages that are dc (don't know if it makes a difference or not). I've also had a few packaged inspected b/c they were sent media mail....grrr....still, it's cheaper.

[hs_gram]

One caveat about delivery confirmation - the post office only guarantees that they will determine that the package was delivered. They do not guarantee that the package will be delivered to the correct address.

My husband purchased an expensive item and the sender added delivery confirmation. My husband never received the item, but the sender had received confirmation that the package was indeed delivered. The sender was very nice and tried to get more details on his end. My husband went to the post office and also talked to our regular mailman, with whom we have a good relationship. What he discovered is that our mailman never delivered anything to our address.

Our mailman told us it was likely another carrier who delivers in another part of our neighborhood. There was a house number and street name similar to ours. My husband went there, but the man said no package had been delivered. If it had, he wasn't saying. The post office said the carriers only note that they have delivered the package. They do not note anything else. Bottom line - there is no way to know for sure where the package was delivered.

After this incident, we do not do delivery confirmation unless using PayPal where it is automatically added. My husband now pays extra for a signature confirmation on expensive items and addss insurance. (His lost item didn't carry insurance). Of course, this isn't always reasonable due to cost for used school materials.

Just thought I'd relate a personal experience so you can make an informed decision.

Blessings,
Darlene

One thing have have learned to do is get delivery confermation. I had a package get lost and they told me that if I had done this they could have put a tracer on it. It is less than $1 no matter how big or small the package.

[DaisyMay]

Media mail is very cheap for books.