What shipping service is best (reliable/cost efficient) within the US these days? Especially with COVID... I see people ditching USPS left & right.

[drumjargon]

I want to start selling and shipping more of my cymbals, drum stuff, and other “junk” I’ve collected over the years. I see eBay has a 200 items listed for free deal ‘til April, so was thinking about that. What about buying online labels from companies like Shippo? Sometimes I deal outside of eBay just via online forums and such, so what works for that situation? All advice welcomed. Thanks!

 

[lossforgain]

FedEx has been decent for me, not cheap but not as expensive as UPS. And they have mostly delivered on time. The

 

[Squirrel Man]

I'm lucky, I have a corporate FedEx account I've used lately after buying and selling some stuff lately and the rates are good. Previously with USPS meh... My wife ships soap she makes frequently and she has a good arrangement with USPS and it works for her, but not for me with heavier and bulkier stuff so it depends I guess.

Takes a little longer with FedEx ground but for the price a few days is worth the wait. For me at least.

 

[Tama CW]

Doesn't Ebay offer a "best shipper" rate same way Reverb does if you ship/insure through them? It's a 25-45% savings on Reverb for bigger packages going longer distances.

USPS may be experiencing the longest delays by far right now....but they still get there. As long as a buyer knows they might take 1-2 weeks to show up, not a big deal.
But by the time you get serious about moving gear (few weeks to a couple months) you may find all these delays shrink as summer immunity season hits in the USA and vaccines kick into high gear.

The best rates I get going more than about 300-500 miles for any larger package is UPS. USPS is still effective for smaller packages going a few hundred miles.
I can ship a 20 inch cymbal to the west coast (3000 mi) via Reverb shipping for about $25. If you're going through USPS it will be more like $45+.
If you're are going to do dozens of items maybe open your own account with UPS or FedEx?

 

[Redfern]

USPS has proven completely unreliable over the last 6 months and it seems to be getting worse.

In the past 4 months, I’ve bought lots of items and of those, there were 9 items I was unable to choose anything other than USPS for the transactions. 8 of the 9 packages were delayed or lost for over two to three weeks. Often times arriving in my city and then going to another city, in another state before making their way back to my city. Unreal right? We’re talking Priority mail as well. 2 day packages have been taking over a week to arrive.
Currently dealing with a package that shipped from Birmingham, AL to me in Atlanta. It’s been two weeks and the package is still not delivered. It was in ATLANTA for 4 days then traveled to New Orleans. It’s now back in Birmingham. Who knows if I’ll even receive it. Pretty ridiculous and I knew better than to purchase an item if it was being shipped USPS. Live n learn.

 

[Deafmoon]

This is the new shipping process worldwide, due to less people working because of COVID. This started last summer with delays and has continued into this year. Hours were cut in USPS and more staggered inside mail sorters. You couple that with some bad weather in winter, you got delays everywhere. I ordered a cd from Germany that was shipped DHL on November 9th 2020. It arrives to my home on January 17th 2021. You say that's standard? Okay when it arrived in the USA customs dated it November 17th. That means it sat in a bin for just about 2 months!

 

[jptrickster]

Fedex. Shipping times have been very promt. With Ebay discount its not to bad at all. I wish Amazon offered shipping !

 

[Deafmoon]

I want to start selling and shipping more of my cymbals, drum stuff, and other “junk” I’ve collected over the years. I see eBay has a 200 items listed for free deal ‘til April, so was thinking about that. What about buying online labels from companies like Shippo? Sometimes I deal outside of eBay just via online forums and such, so what works for that situation? All advice welcomed. Thanks!

The only points I will make to you as an Ebayer since 1999, you should really understand how eBay is today. Ebay traffic has shrunk dramatically over the last 5 to 8 years. And I will add, the fewer views you get have a very low percentage of serious buyer. Most of these newer eBayers are bored time wasters with little to no money who just surf along and click 'watch' just to do something. The game here and it's endorsed by eBay is to get you to make offers. And if Ebay has their way they will cut your ask through an automated program that will rape you. I'm not saying you cannot sell, all I'm saying is shipping may just be the least of your concerns.

 

[glaze148]

Yes, USPS is struggling. Shipped a snare Priority, on 2/17 to go 100 miles away. Stll in transit w no specifics ?
I can claim insurance 30 days after, but I really want the buyer to get the drum. He’s patient, and we agree to let it ride for a while.
Actually, my heart goes out to the USPS. In the old days, I’d be steaming mad. Unusual times.

 

[Toast Tee]

Idk about prices,
But i had the pleasure of having gear sent to me via DHL.
They got me a kit from Canada, to my door in just under 24 hours. I don't know how they get through customs so fast? I also recently received Psiste cymbal Cleaner, and protector from W Canada, and had my delivery in 3 days.
If I'm receiving, so far DHL had been great!
If I'm shipping, USPS hasn't let me down

 

[komodobob]

FedEx or UPS for me. The USPS seems to be having their problems right now.

 

[Pounder]

Fedex. Shipping times have been very promt. With Ebay discount its not to bad at all. I wish Amazon offered shipping !

Same here I’m curious about reverb whether they offer any shipping discounts or anything but I’ve been using FedEx home delivery for a long time.

 

[jptrickster]

Yes, USPS is struggling. Shipped a snare Priority, on 2/17 to go 100 miles away. Stll in transit w no specifics ?
I can claim insurance 30 days after, but I really want the buyer to get the drum. He’s patient, and we agree to let it ride for a while.
Actually, my heart goes out to the USPS. In the old days, I’d be steaming mad. Unusual times.

A friend recently sent a stack of vintage vinyl insured for $600 , signature required. They left the package on the front stoop in the rain needless to say it was totally ruined. Insurance claim filed with thorough documentation and a million phone calls on hold for hours and after 6 months of red tape the claim was denied. USPS garbage.

 

[drumjargon]

This is the new shipping process worldwide, due to less people working because of COVID. This started last summer with delays and has continued into this year. Hours were cut in USPS and more staggered inside mail sorters. You couple that with some bad weather in winter, you got delays everywhere. I ordered a cd from Germany that was shipped DHL on November 9th 2020. It arrives to my home on January 17th 2021. You say that's standard? Okay when it arrived in the USA customs dated it November 17th. That means it sat in a bin for just about 2 months!

That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to avoid! Ridiculous, man!

 

[bbshams]

Shipped a ride cymbal from MD to Cali recently via FedEx. Was estimated to take about a week, ended up being closer to 2 weeks. That being said, this delay seems trivial compared to some of the delays I have been hearing about!

 

[drumjargon]

I'm lucky, I have a corporate FedEx account I've used lately after buying and selling some stuff lately and the rates are good. Previously with USPS meh... My wife ships soap she makes frequently and she has a good arrangement with USPS and it works for her, but not for me with heavier and bulkier stuff so it depends I guess.

Takes a little longer with FedEx ground but for the price a few days is worth the wait. For me at least.

I wish I still had access to my corporate FedEx account... it was the best. It’s like $16 with that and around $40 without! UPS looks to be slightly cheaper but I trust FedEx more since I’ve used them for so long. Still might consider online labels from Shippo, though.

 

[Ludwigboy]

A little different perspective.....Fedex Ground to Canada has worked well to me...no border holdups; only downside to Fedex is planning a delivery time as Fedex keeps changing delivery dates as you approach the initial delivery date; first a Thursday, then a Friday and finally a Monday....small price to pay though, no damage to item.
With USPS , it sits at the border for 3-5 days.

 

[drumjargon]

The only points I will make to you as an Ebayer since 1999, you should really understand how eBay is today. Ebay traffic has shrunk dramatically over the last 5 to 8 years. And I will add, the fewer views you get have a very low percentage of serious buyer. Most of these newer eBayers are bored time wasters with little to no money who just surf along and click 'watch' just to do something. The game here and it's endorsed by eBay is to get you to make offers. And if Ebay has their way they will cut your ask through an automated program that will rape you. I'm not saying you cannot sell, all I'm saying is shipping may just be the least of your concerns.

Interesting... I appreciate the input. I figured I may get more eyes on my stuff on the bay, but I was worried how much has changed since I last sold on there (several years now). I just want all parties to be happy without any hitches in the process... maybe that’s asking a lot these days lol

 

[jptrickster]

From what I've experienced on the receiving end lately , USPS Parcel Select, your waiting for eternity. Priority Mail, you may have a slight chance at receiving it within a week but more likely a week and a half longer if its cross country. I wish people would just stop using this Company all together.

 

[gbow]

I live in a rural area and USPS misses about 2-3 days per week here. We get mail, then it'll skip a day, then we'll get mail, etc. The local post office has employees that try and care about what they do, but they have a very difficult time finding route carriers.

So much for the USPS creed, which says "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"

Haha

UPS is by far the best for deliveries here, Fedex is a distant 2nd.

gabo