Fedex "Smartpost" vs USPS priority?

Bochiman

I'm just curious on what the cost difference may be.



I figure that the USMint uses it for cost and possibly logistics (pick-up, hub, whatnot), but I know that, for me, anything coming "Smartpost" is absolutely a nightmare.



So, how much could the USMint be saving in just pure pricing? And, wouldn't the USPS be willing to work out a pick up deal with them for the items? I think they have in the past and I think they do for large businesses.....

bronco2078

Forget Priority mail , even matched against Fed ex ground it is slower and almost always costs more also. I've never figured out why it exists to begin with.

OPA

Originally posted by: bronco2078


Forget Priority mail , even matched against Fed ex ground it is slower and almost always costs more also. I've never figured out why it exists to begin with.

I've noticed the exact opposite....Priority mail, except to rural areas, beats Fed ex ground hands down from my location...(MD..DC burbs)

NickDanger

Originally posted by: OPA

Originally posted by: bronco2078


Forget Priority mail , even matched against Fed ex ground it is slower and almost always costs more also. I've never figured out why it exists to begin with.

I've noticed the exact opposite....Priority mail, except to rural areas, beats Fed ex ground hands down from my location...(MD..DC burbs)

I agree, my experiences with Priority Mail are generally excellent.
Fedex Smartpost not so much.
Fedex Smartpost: when you absolutely, positively don't care when it gets there...

bronco2078

Originally posted by: OPA

Originally posted by: bronco2078


Forget Priority mail , even matched against Fed ex ground it is slower and almost always costs more also. I've never figured out why it exists to begin with.

I've noticed the exact opposite....Priority mail, except to rural areas, beats Fed ex ground hands down from my location...(MD..DC burbs)

Sorry that was unclear , I meant SmartPost matched against Fed Ex ground was slower and more expensive. Priority is faster than Fed ex ground which is faster than smart post. . If its slower it should at least be cheaper otherwise whats the point. Why pay more for a slower service that gets handled more ? If anything it should be called stupidpost.

jtlee321

I absolutely despise SmartPost... Every time I have had something sent to me via SmartPost, it comes to within 15 miles of my home before it is then sent 160 miles away to get transferred to USPS so it can then come back to where I am. I really wish I could flag the shipment and have it held at the FedEx hub near me so I could just go pick it up, instead of waiting two more days...

Speaking of speed. The last two items I've sold on eBay and shipped to the East Coast from here in Washington State were sent on a Friday and were delivered on Monday using First Class Package.. It seems to always take twice as long to come from the other direction though..

mbogoman

FedEx Dumbpost takes 6 to 10 days to get me in the San Diego area each and every time. 'Nuff said...

mustangmanbob

You get what is advertised.

From the FedEx website:

Delivery Commitments

FedEx SmartPost now delivers typically in 2-7 business days based on the distance to your destination.

I ship several packages a day SmartPost.

Typical Example is

Priority Mail: $8.90
FedEx Home Delivery: $11.15
Smart Post: $6.90

So Post Office and FedEx, by themselves, are more expensive than working together.

Quasi Space Available.

Bochiman

Originally posted by: bronco2078





Forget Priority mail , even matched against Fed ex ground it is slower and almost always costs more also. I've never figured out why it exists to begin with.

Completely incorrect for what I have experienced.



Priority...3 days or sooner almost every time.

FedEx "smartpost"....7-10 days...maybe a little longer.

Bochiman

Originally posted by: mustangmanbob

You get what is advertised.



From the FedEx website:



Delivery Commitments



FedEx SmartPost now delivers typically in 2-7 business days based on the distance to your destination.



I ship several packages a day SmartPost.



Typical Example is



Priority Mail: $8.90

FedEx Home Delivery: $11.15

Smart Post: $6.90



So Post Office and FedEx, by themselves, are more expensive than working together.



Quasi Space Available.

Thanks for answering what I was asking. I appreciate it.



That said, are those prices insured? Are they flat rate? I'm just trying to think of what I pay for some things with priority and comparing that in my head.

Kudbegud

StupidPost took 21 days to get to me with mint orders. Now that they send Priority Mail at the same $4.95 cost orders arrive in 4 or 5 days.



Good to know the actual costs by shipping method. With the mint's massive contract power I'd expect those costs to be lower than shown above.

derryb

Not all shipping will insure bullion coins. USPS will only cover them with registered mail. Good luck getting USPS to define "bullion."

Bochiman

Originally posted by: derryb

Not all shipping will insure bullion coins. USPS will only cover them with registered mail. Good luck getting USPS to define "bullion."

So, will smartpost insure them?



Or, is it the same type of thing where someone should/has to have private insurance to use either? If so, then that point may be moot.

ricko

I like Priority... seems to work the best for me..unless I am shipping firearms.. then I use Fedex..

Cheers, RickO

mbogoman

Here is my latest Dumbpost order tracking. If it arrives on time Friday, that will be one week, Saturday will be 8 days. USPS First Class and Priority make it in 2-3 days every time. There is no comparison in the performance/delivery times:



Date/Time

Activity Location

6/23/2016 - Thursday

6:37 am Shipment information sent to U.S. Postal Service



3:43 am Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST CHINO, CA



6/22/2016 - Wednesday

6:49 pm Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST CHINO, CA



4:02 am In transit PALM DESERT, CA



6/21/2016 - Tuesday

4:53 pm In transit EL PASO, TX



1:21 am Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST DALLAS, TX



6/20/2016 - Monday

6:01 pm Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST DALLAS, TX



6/18/2016 - Saturday

2:38 am Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST SOUTHAVEN, MS



12:41 am Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST SOUTHAVEN, MS



6/17/2016 - Friday

5:19 pm Shipment information sent to FedEx

derryb

For me, regardless of shipped value, USPS is the most reliable and most convenient method.

Especially since I have a mini post office in my office closet.

messydesk

Originally posted by: jtlee321

I absolutely despise SmartPost... Every time I have had something sent to me via SmartPost, it comes to within 15 miles of my home before it is then sent 160 miles away to get transferred to USPS so it can then come back to where I am.

I just had the same thing happen yesterday with a Smart-as-a-post shipment. Made it to Chicago Tuesday, was driven to a Milwaukee suburb yesterday and it's back in the area today. I'm hoping my new furnace filters show up tomorrow before I leave for the ANA on Saturday.

OPA

Smart Post is an Oxymoron and should be referred to as "Dumb, Slow or Cheap Post."