Fedex or UPS

[maverick]

Getting ready to ship one of my airguns I sold. Has anyone had any better luck with Fedex or UPS? I am assuming Fedex is cheaper. I know not to write what is in the box but I have to tell them Fedx/UPS what is in the box and request a signature for 18yrs or older.

[cole5169]

Maybe I'm the only one here, but I have had nothing but heartache from FedEx.
It amazes me that they can mess up so consistently, and so catastrophically, and still stay in business.
-Joel

[sawtoothscream]

i used fedex when i shipped the benji trail np back to P air.  it got there and cost $13 so it was good to me.  never shipped ups before

[ezman604]

Well, I do all my shipping from work. We use to use FedEx but had such problems, we switched to UPS. Their service has been excellent. I've never labeled any of my outgoing gun shipments and all have arrived fine. They have an automatic insurance of $100 per package and you can add more insurance at a VERY reasonable price. For instance, I recently shipped a heavy double boxed gun insured for $300 at a cost of under $15 total. And using ground service, it arrived in 2 days at the destination.
I'd personally recommend UPS.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[ZzyzxJoshua]

Have a rifle & scope on the way UPS. Shipped mine to the guy I am trading with UPS. Fed Ex does a good job where we live now also. Both drivers carry dog treats and are greeted warmly by our dog as a result - after I introduced him to the Lab.

The gentleman shipping my new rifle said FedEx would not take it as 'we are out in the middle of nowhere' or some such.
When I was living in Idaho they would not deliver to our town summer OR winter. Winter, snowmobile, Skiis or snowshoe access only. Summer, a decent dirt road. 8,000 foot pass to go over. The FedEx driver -"I am afraid of the road". UPS -"The road is too hard on our trucks". So, UPS contracted with a local rancher and the hotel owenre to bring the packages in on snowmobile when they came in during the winter and whenever a package showed up when the road was open. FedEx didn't even try. Would leave the package at the post office 26 miles away.

Seems to be the luck of the draw and highly dependant on your local delivery guys.

[clip]

When I ship a rifle, I always use UPS. The folks at my local UPS store pretty well know who I am and are very friendly.  I've had no problems with either the shipping or delivery of a rifle using UPS. The owner of the shop always greets me with these questions.." What's in it"? and "Are  there any gas parts in your package"? He has to ask 'cause they're not allowed to ship anything with gas or any regular guns from that outlet. I've never used FedEx for shipping but deliveries to me has not been very satisfactory. Many times the FedEx driver will ring my doorbell and leave a package outside, propped against the side of the house. On the other hand, UPS has always opened the door and set the package inside the screened- in porch out of sight and weather. Based on my experiences with the two carriers, I'd recommend UPS.
     Larry

[geewhiz380]

I have had many negative encounters with fed ex and one reason is there personal vendetta that workers have toward there bosses and company polices ,they work on commision,no union,no benfits neither  thats why they will leave your package anywhere in your area ,usually a neighboor that u might or might not get along with ...packages are also thrown around in the truck from what i,ve seen and trust me i have seen plenty ,at my pick up site i have seen them play kick ball and have reported them and guess whats there response it wasnt me he saw ,yeah right ..ups is a better courier for service cause out of 25 years of there service to me i,ve never recieved anything broken or chipped and i consider them very responsible ..i would never want to recieve from fed ex unless i pick up and check item at the site where it was recieved in front of supervisor .....if they had a union maybe things would of been dealt with better care .....ups hands down unless fed ex has people working for them very long who are very responsible cause nowin days people dont care cause its not there package being delievered ...btw they never ask whats in my package except for theres nothing explosive right mr lopez ...jorge

[Jay]

UPS for me, and if I'm asked what is in package the answer is "sporting goods".

[RatRacer]

I prefer UPS, being a shipper for 20 yrs now. FedEx Air services and FedEx Ground/ home delivery operate, or did operate under 2 completely delivery systems. FedEx ground was actually RPS (Roadway Packaging Systems),the worst delivery service of all time, purchased by FedEx, and each driver was a owner/operator subcontractor. I trust FedEx air, but not ground.

 I mark my boxes "repair return".

[remo09]

Maybe I'm the only one here, but I have had nothing but heartache from FedEx.
It amazes me that they can mess up so consistently, and so catastrophically, and still stay in business.
-Joel

I second that! Nothing but frustration. Waiting for Hammerli Nova(.177) from Airguns Daily and I know this shipment will get botched. No more Fed Ex!

Barry

[WhitleyStu]

I like UPS because UPS drivers who deliver your packages are UPS employees. FedEx drivers are contractors.  I have yet to have a FedEx driver take the time to ring the door bell to let me know I have a package on my porch.  UPS always rings the bell.  I hate to nitpick, but how much energy does it take to push the door bell buttom???
http://fedex.com/us/customersupport/customcritical/faq/owner.html

[Nomadic Pirate]

Neither !!!!! ......USPS rocks

[Madkoifish]

I have never received a box from UPS that wasn't damaged in some way or form. And I do not mean scuffs or small dents but open boxes, smashed contents, or punctures. This is over a span of 20 odd years at over 14+ locations up and down the west coast.
If anything I have to complain about Fed EX is they are more prone to leave a sticky note on the door. Package or no package left. UPS in Seattle did this too. UPS in Or and Calif never did this.

Never had issue with Fed EX in damage claims. UPS however I have had numerous dealings with them and either stolen, damaged, missing item (empty box), or miss delivered packages.

Relation to airgun laws, UPS delivered all my guns sans signature and left them on the porch.

Favorites are USPS and DHL But all 4 are easy to ship with. I have only had issues with them as a recipient.


This is actually a good looking example. My breech and some packaging with part of the barrel was hanging out of this hole.

[shadow]

I've had great result's with UPS and I ship directly from one of the main hubs. The guys down there know me like family and I can never get out of their without telling them about my latest airgun hunting adventure hehe. Ed

[Daysailer]

NEITHER !

Last week I recieved my FWB 124, shipped by UPS from Portland OR to Eugene (105 miles).
Result:
Cracked stock   

USPS for me from now on..

Dont even get me started about Fedex....dual tire tracks accross a squashed guitar box...delivered, dumped and ran....he  forgot to knock, or wait for signiture.  
1966 Martin D-18,  if you know what that is, you will appreciate the loss.

[CaptGeorge]

NEITHER !

Last week I recieved my FWB 124, shipped by UPS from Portland OR to Eugene (105 miles).
Result:
Cracked stock
Reciever fork bent, barrel takes a left turn and is 1/4" out of line at the muzzel.
                     !!!!!!!

USPS for me from now on..

Dont even get me started about Fedex....dual tire tracks accross a squashed guitar box...delivered, dumped and ran....he  forgot to knock, or wait for signiture. 
1966 Martin D-18,  if you know what that is, you will appreciate the loss.

'66 D-18!!!!!!  What a tragic story. I feel for your loss....

[CaptGeorge]

I've shipped/received quite a few guitars over recent years. USPS was always the best - even from Houston to Alaska.

[bosco]

NEITHER !

Last week I recieved my FWB 124, shipped by UPS from Portland OR to Eugene (105 miles).
Result:
Cracked stock
Reciever fork bent, barrel takes a left turn and is 1/4" out of line at the muzzel.
                     !!!!!!!

USPS for me from now on..

Dont even get me started about Fedex....dual tire tracks accross a squashed guitar box...delivered, dumped and ran....he  forgot to knock, or wait for signiture. 
1966 Martin D-18,  if you know what that is, you will appreciate the loss.

Wow... sorry about the loss of the Martin. 
I have had better luck with UPS, and the driver knows us now.  My issues with Fedex is they never wait when a signature is required, and I work from home.

[bluzjamer]

I've shipped and received over 200 guitars and a bunch of
AGs. Most I ship FEDEx , some usps, I receive mostly UPS.
UPS has done the most damage. I received an 'Evanix Blizzard with a cracked stock.
UPS picked it up for damage assessment. They denied the claim and shipped it back to me. When I opened the box the stock fell apart into two pieces. Much worse that the first shipping. I sent pics and complained but it did nothing and the seller did nothing either. I lucked out..after a 2 month search I found a reasonable replacement stock.
I could have bought a new gun for what the BS cost me. Always use AmExp to pay for internet orders, they stand behind everything that might happen. I used MC to pay for the Blizzard....big mistake.

[a1Bogey]

UPS or FDX.     Boy that is a hard one.   They both seem to be equal opportunity destroyers.  It seems that if you get a package that does not have boot prints on it you're just lucky that day.     I know a guy from school that retired as a big wheel from UPS.   I made a comment to him one time about the damage to packages I have recieved.  For a commercial account.    He turned red,  laughed like a crazy person and has not spoken to me since.  That's been 6yrs now.  Maybe, just maybe , I should not have brought this up at a party at his house.  Ya think.

I guess having thick skin is not one of thier finer points.

Bogey