topic Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference! in Community Chat

UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

LdyBugz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:05:33 GMT

Wow! Went to UPS to ship a book for Christmas to my sister in Florida. I asked for the least expensive way to ship. They wanted $30.14, more than the cost of the book! I told the guy nevermind and went to USPS. Only $5.22! What a difference! Sheesh.

I could have shipped the book directly from Amazon. But I wanted to wrap it and tuck in a Christmas card. Next time I'll just ship direct!

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Kitlynn — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:08:34 GMT

I have just had everything shipped directly for a couple of years because prices of shipping have gotten crazy!

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

LdyBugz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:11:02 GMT

@Kitlynn Direct ship is definitely the way to go! 👍👍

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Nightowlz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:12:45 GMT

So is UPS trying to get away from Home deliveries? Seems like everything gets delivered by FedEx or USPS now?

Our new neighbor works for FedEx so he's always out here making deliveries.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

UpNorthGorgy — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:12:58 GMT

@LdyBugz I recall there was a USPS "Book Rate" for mailing books. I dont know if it still exists?

Bill to Ship to is great. I have had to call as Q , though rarely lets me know, especially Advanced Orders.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Nightowlz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:16:14 GMT

@UpNorthGorgy wrote:
@LdyBugz I recall there was a USPS "Book Rate" for mailing books. I dont know if it still exists?

Bill to Ship to is great. I have had to call as Q , though rarely lets me know, especially Advanced Orders.

@UpNorthGorgy

They do still have the book rate or Media Mail.

I don't know if the package would get there by Christmas or not. Online it says 2-8 business days delivery. Longer during Holidays.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

LdyBugz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:18:23 GMT

@Nightowlz I think UPS may be understaffed for all of the deliveries for the holidays and have subbed out to other shippers. The last few deliveries I had from Amazon stated shipped from Amazon, but they were delivered by the post office.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

KittySoftPaws — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:20:55 GMT

I sell on Ebay and I ship everthing USPS Ground Advantage. Least expensive of any of them. Insured up to $100.00, arrives in 2-5 days, forwarding, undeliverable, and return to sender all included.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

LdyBugz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:28:04 GMT

@UpNorthGorgy Yes, USPS still has the lower rate for books. I did tell the guy at UPS that it was just a book, but no special pricing from them. I went to UPS first because there is a UPS store right around the corner. I really wasn't expecting them to say a whopping $30 to ship a little book though.

Plus, the post office is on the other side of town, close to the town hall. Today, my town is doing the annual toy drive over there so I was trying to avoid all that traffic. It wasn't too bad though, and I certainly didn't use $30 worth of gas! LOL!

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Nightowlz — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:31:22 GMT

@LdyBugz wrote:
@Nightowlz I think UPS may be understaffed for all of the deliveries for the holidays and have subbed out to other shippers. The last few deliveries I had from Amazon stated shipped from Amazon, but they were delivered by the post office.

@LdyBugz

UPS did layoff a lot of people.

I forgot about one of my Amazon orders. It was delivered UPS except an individual in her own vehicle delivered it. I'm pretty sure she had on a UPS jacket. I thought it was strange.

I was watching her try to get my LED Mirror out of her back seat. Glad she didn't drop it.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

jackthebear — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:38:10 GMT

@KittySoftPaws wrote:
I sell on Ebay and I ship everthing USPS Ground Advantage. Least expensive of any of them. Insured up to $100.00, arrives in 2-5 days, forwarding, undeliverable, and return to sender all included.

same here

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

jackthebear — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:39:08 GMT

use pirate ship dot com

generate labels for most carriers with a discount

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

lynnie61 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:51:09 GMT

I sent two boxes and a flat envelope last week usps ground advantage. $28, and the boxes were light. But.......they all delivered in 2-3 days.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Laura14 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:53:38 GMT

My 12 x 12 small box for Operation Santa was $33 to ship this week. It contained blankets and a small stocking with little games, candy, and a gift card. Nothing heavy.

I hope my little boy and his elderly neighbor enjoys his gifts. Santa didn't expect that price tag.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Kachina624 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 23:58:02 GMT

Don't forget, postal rates at usps went up for the holidays.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

coffee drinker — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:28:09 GMT

@UpNorthGorgy @LdyBugz It was called media mail. Don't know if USPS still offers it.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Etoile308 — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 02:25:31 GMT

Yes, USPS still has Media Mail. It's good for books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, research material and a few other things.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

Teddixat — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 04:55:18 GMT

@jackthebear @KittySoftPaws I have started shopping on EBay for a few years. I find some of the greatest bargains and things that are hard to find. But I have a question since you're a seller. A lot of items arrive as if the have been disinfected with a spray of some kind. The scent is so overpowering. I have had to soak items in vinegar to get the smell out abd then wash them. Sometimes it takes several washings to get the smell out even after soaking in vinegar. I think ibresd somewhere it's a requirement if EBay. Can you confirm. I have asked sellers to not use whatever it is. I have had this happen with many many purchases.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

LuvmyLab — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 07:18:36 GMT

Make sure when you ship a book through USPS to let them know it is a book. Book rates are cheaper than regular shipping rates. That is what they told me.

Re: UPS vs. USPS shipping prices - big difference!

KittySoftPaws — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 14:32:32 GMT

@Teddixat Never heard of this, and I have sold and bought on Ebay for many years. So no, it is nether a requirement with Ebay, or something that I have ever, or would ever do. I would never spray something on any item I am selling for many reasons, mainly what it could do to the material or product. My items are stored in a smoke free home and sent clean without any scents or fabric softners etc. If item is new with tags, it is sent as such so buyer can choose how to wash and care for it. I am a stickler for these things. Unusual that you have experienced this, let alone more than once.