Shipping! Why the hand-off?

[Big Jim]

Would someone explain to me why orders are shipped starting with UPS only to have them hand the package off to USPS for delivery? I have no complaints about either delivery service, I'm only questioning why the hand-off? Why hand off and risk a fumble when you have a clear path to the end zone? They could have scored a touchdown yesterday instead of today!

[up148]

Would someone explain to me why orders are shipped starting with UPS only to have them hand the package off to USPS for delivery? I have no complaints about either delivery service, I'm only questioning why the hand-off? Why hand off and risk a fumble when you have a clear path to the end zone? They could have scored a touchdown yesterday instead of today!

USPS told us UPS is too busy and can't handle the load, so they took over some of the UPS ground shipments. We noticed this a couple of years ago on office supplies and other items shipped from Amazon. Started out UPS and ended up USPS. Since we have daily delivery and pickup by UPS it was surprising.

We also had a better track record of no damage with UPS than USPS, although I have to admit, since USPS has taken over some of the UPS business we've had no claims against USPS.

BH

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Both DHL and Fed-Ex also hand off to USPS for local deliveries. I think that USPS has a better local delivery infrastructure while the others may have a better regional or Nat'l transport capability.

[rogruth]

I thought DHL had died. They are gone from this area.

[Tom Dempsey]

I had two brothers who owned RPS routes (RPS got purchased by FedEx), any delivery that was difficult/time consuming/etc was handed off to USPS. Couple of acquaintances work for big brown, same story. Sometimes when I take order to the post office, a big brown truck will show up and off load mass quantities. The myth that the private delivery services are better is just that, a myth, my company uses USPS exclusively. Fewer problems with deliveries, fewer damage claims, lower prices.

[healey36]

I see the UPS guy in the neighborhood almost every day. Our mailman says the hand-off occurs dependent upon capacity. Stuff from Moss, Wayfair, RockAuto, Patio & Hearth, Sturbridge, etc. tend to arrive predominantly via UPS. EBay, Amazon, Alibris, and other shipping-bottom-feeders tend to arrive USPS. That said, I got no gripe with USPS...they do a great job (although their tracking can be a bit erratic).

Healey

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I thought DHL had died. They are gone from this area.

The one company that I will buy CD's from seems to ship using DHL until they then hand off to USPS.

EBay, Amazon, Alibris, and other shipping-bottom-feeders tend to arrive USPS.

Almost everything we get from Amazon is delivered by UPS -- if we are expecting anything, we listen for the truck so we try to catch the guy before he throws the box on the porch and then runs away. Stuff form eBay arrives using both USPS and UPS....

Fewer problems with deliveries, fewer damage claims, lower prices.

Yup. That's USPS.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

UPS is great. The driver to our neighborhood doesn't even complain when he has to deliver a 9' Christmas tree, all trussed-up in its long cardboard box. Now, that is service, and with a smile, no less.

[rex desilets]

UPS delivery quality seems to vary with location. Our local UPS guy is terrific.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

UPS delivery quality seems to vary with location. Our local UPS guy is terrific.

I guess that might be so - the ones around here drive like demons, run to where they can pitch the box onto or near the porch, and are running back to their truck before the box lands.

The fun is when you manage to get the front door open before they heave the box and then they stop running and start walking to hand you the box. Then they park the truck further away so you can't hear it....... I suspect that they are encouraged to run like this by being given a full truck and told to empty it before some deadline or they get penalized in some form.

[robert.]

Their shift is paid by route not number of packages. If those guys don't run an 8 hour day becomes 10. With pay for only 8. Ups has mapped out routes with the least amount of left hand turns possible. This is not to save time for drivers but to save gas for ups.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Now, that's interesting, Robert. Never had any idea about that aspect of their business and jobs.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Their shift is paid by route not number of packages. If those guys don't run an 8 hour day becomes 10. With pay for only 8. Ups has mapped out routes with the least amount of left hand turns possible. This is not to save time for drivers but to save gas for ups.

Makes since - time and clock.

No left turns -- must be a joy when they are in downtown DC and all the 1 way streets,

[robert.]

Their shift is paid by route not number of packages. If those guys don't run an 8 hour day becomes 10. With pay for only 8. Ups has mapped out routes with the least amount of left hand turns possible. This is not to save time for drivers but to save gas for ups.

Makes since - time and clock.

No left turns -- must be a joy when they are in downtown DC and all the 1 way streets,

They can make lefts.ups brass wants the number of lefts low. They feel to much gas is wasted at stop lights without left hand turn arrows. D.C. Had to many streets that don't allow trucks. It took me an hour longer then a car would need to get back to Baltimore from D.C. From 2425 l st n. W. I can't use parkways or 295 beltway.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Their shift is paid by route not number of packages. If those guys don't run an 8 hour day becomes 10. With pay for only 8. Ups has mapped out routes with the least amount of left hand turns possible. This is not to save time for drivers but to save gas for ups.

Makes since - time and clock.

No left turns -- must be a joy when they are in downtown DC and all the 1 way streets,

They can make lefts.ups brass wants the number of lefts low. They feel to much gas is wasted at stop lights without left hand turn arrows. D.C. Had to many streets that don't allow trucks. It took me an hour longer then a car would need to get back to Baltimore from D.C. From 2425 l st n. W. I can't use parkways or 295 beltway.

A lot fo DC has no right turn on red or it has signage that's so confusing that you are almost bound to break some law and get a ticket.

Truck - you are stuck on 495 and 95......but you can use 295 inside of 495. It's painful........