Be thankful that you don't live in Europe and have to pay the shipping costs from the USA. The shipping costs for a diesel locomotive, or freight car are usually around $75-$100, and then we get hit with VAT (21% here.) and customs fees (Around $25) on the total cost including any shipping and insurance. These charges can almost double the cost of buying some items. 
Why does no one use FedEx? I try to avoid shipping trains at all costs -- for the reasons many have experienced above -- and will often try to arrange pick up at shows such as York. That being said when I do ship I use Fed Ex and while it's not cheap, I don't think it is leaps and bounds more expensive than UPS and I've never had an issue either.
I generally avoid the USPS because if you miss a shipment that requires signature in our area the way the local postal stations are organized it becomes very difficult to retrieve the package. This was from the local postmaster himself.
Funny side bar to my original post.
I know of other dealers who sell the same thing I sell...we buy and sell from each other at times.
Last year, the one dealer who used UPS exclusively, switched to Fed Ex due to the poor delivery of packages, and the failure of UPS to honor insurance claims. Guess he thought Fed Ex would do better.
The other midwest dealer, switched also: from using Fed EX exclusively to using UPS.....for the same reason the dealer above switched! Insurance claim problems and lost and damaged goods. Both dealers ship A LOT of packages, many times more than I do.
This year, I notice the first one is back to UPS...but is doing many more USPS Priority flatrate packages since the box can hold over 70 lbs! All items are double boxed, and arrive in great shape from USPS. An yes, UPS will give the post office their packages to deliver at times...not sure the circumstances, but it happens frequently now.
Just FYI. My suggestion, do what I do - explore all options when shipping.
Greg
quote:
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:1200 packages per hour. been there, done that.
LOL, I never counted how many packages I handled per hour. Back then they had a size and weight limit. Don't recall the size restrictions, but the weight restriction was fifty pounds.
The weight restriction was either raised or eliminated after I was finished working there.
The weight restriction was either raised or eliminated after I was finished working there.
Originally Posted by N.Q.D.Y.:
Be thankful that you don't live in Europe and have to pay the shipping costs from the USA. The shipping costs for a diesel locomotive, or freight car are usually around $75-$100, and then we get hit with VAT (21% here.) and customs fees (Around $25) on the total cost including any shipping and insurance. These charges can almost double the cost of buying some items.
I agree, When I was stationed in Germany (15 yrs). If it was not sent through the APO German customs smashed me with import Duties and Fees. This also worked in reverse to US. U.S Custom's does the same thing even shipping thru APOs. The other thing to worry about US customs impounding Items(Christmas presents to family) German Customs ( My Daughters Doll Hse among things)
Doug
Not the same thought that's running here, however....
When I started using Ebay in 2000, I got addicted to prewar and found myself buying something almost everyday. I got to know my UPS delivery man, a very nice, super conscientious fellow who walked out of his way to leave packages out of sight and wrapped in a plastic bag to protect them. He was a 40 something, a thin, tall man, say 6-6 ish. He retired a couple years ago, bent over and worn out. Tough job, high pressure.
As far as shipping trains today, I'd like to see better packaging. It would be nice to be able to quickly and easily unpack a locomotive. While being incredibly durable and protective.
