How to Choose the Right Carrier for Holiday Shipping – Pros and Cons
There are various carriers out there. Which one is best? With the holidays upon us and the need for mailing and shipping gifts, it’s a good idea to assess the available carriers to see which one is right for you. UPS, the US Post Office, FedEx, DHL, and drop shipping are the most common options available today. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each.
1. UPS
Most of us are familiar with the big brown UPS truck, and kids get excited when they see it coming. UPS means packages and holiday delivery for many. It’s not always the best option, though.
Pros:
UPS does well with packages that weigh over 2 pounds. They also succeed with delivery within 2 to 5 business days, and they have a same-day delivery option. One of the best pros, though, is that UPS delivery and shipment can be set up online. Their services are available over the internet, and you can track your packages progress using their tracking number.
Cons:
UPS may not be the fastest choice for air transport. Its strength is more with ground delivery. Also, small packages under 2 pounds may get lost, and they are also more expensive to ship than the same size package with USPS.
2. USPS (US Postal Service)
The US Post Office has been around a long time. There are post offices in nearly every community. Read on to see if USPS is best for your holiday shipping.
Pros:
There are post offices nearby in just about every location. It’s not hard to find one in your neighborhood, making it a fairly convenient option. There is also great information online regarding postage and other services. For overnight delivery, USPS is the cheaper option. Overseas shipments are also cheaper with USPS, and they provide a holiday shipping calendar on their website to help offset delays.
Cons:
USPS does not guarantee delivery dates; you have to take a bit of a chance. They also do not offer a same-day delivery option.
3. FedEx
FedEx employees drive big white trucks instead of brown ones, but their airplanes may be the best thing about this carrier. In addition, there are some pros to their ground delivery.
Pros:
FedEx is definitely the best choice for air shipping. It’s generally cheaper than UPS for delivery within 2 to 5 days. FedEx is very reliable and has delivery guarantees, and its next-day delivery option is a reliable one. FedEx does do ground delivery, and its ground service for packages over 3 pounds is cheaper than UPS and USPS. They also offer tracking of your package.
Cons:
Like UPS, smaller packages may be cost-prohibitive to ship via FedEx.
4. Drop Shipping
Drop shipping is a fairly new shipping option. The retailer does not keep items on hand, but instead has them shipped from a manufacturer or wholesaler.
Pros:
Lower cost is probably the number one pro with drop shipping. This method cuts out a lot of “middle men” because only one company does all the packing and shipping.
Cons:
Because the retailer does not keep products on hand, the manufacturer or wholesaler may sell out of products and be forced to put them on backorder. Unfortunately, drop shipping has also been a feature of work-from-home scams.