United States Postal Service

That is quite a feat, now that you mention it. I’m not a big fan of anything government run, but those fit/it/ship/it boxes are a great value. I like that you can just grab a stack of them and take them home with you, too. I wish I could disagree with you here, but I can’t;)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

We ship USPS almost every day and love there service. And also you can order the shipping supplies online and they will deliver them to your door. Also you can track the packages. The only things we have to take to the post office is the hazmat products of some of our woodworking finish’s. www.dsmdiststore.com

-- DeputyDawg

I agree – I use the USPS for every package I ship as well and have NEVER had an issue. Never a damaged delivery and for the majority of them they arrive ahead of schedule.

Two thumbs up!

Now, I certainly can’t complain about UPS either as I receive a LOT of packages from them and they rarely are late/damaged/missing etc…...

-bob

-- Man is a tool-using Animal. Nowhere do you find him without tools; without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all. - Thomas Carlyle http://www.ffrf.org

thank you reminding us on the daily heroes in our lives
that get too little atention from us doing there jobs day in and day out
unless they have screwed something up for us never a thank you or a freindly smile
since they just do there job … right
no not so right they do it very well all day long …. so remember give them
credit , a smile or maybee even a pad on the shuolder when you see them
that can change a bad day to a great day for them
and the smile will be returned as a favor when you dont expect it :-)

have a great day all of you
Dennis

I have to agree!

Until somebody invents a transporter you can’t beat it.
The USPS history site has some really interesting information like there are more retail outlets than McDonalds and many more! I have included the link below!

USPS

If I seem a little enamored by the USPS it is because, at one time, I was involved with some of their automation improvements.

Bertha
You can relax, the USPS is not run by the government. It is private entity established by the U.S. Constitution, receives no tax dollars, and must raise enough revenue to cover it’s expenses.

-- "I never met a board I didn't like!"

I read that when the transcontinental mail was first established(pony express) it cost five dollars an ounce to ship across the continent. It rapidly dropped to one dollar and ounce, but that would still equate to one hundred dollars an ounce in today’s dollars.

Oldnovice, Yes not a dime of our tax dollars go to it, but it sure does a nice job of helping to create economical value.

-- Mel

I’ve shipped things within my state and it’s taken weeks. I’ve shipped things overseas and it’s taken days. Go figure…

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

I have been using those “Fit it ships” boxes a lot lately, seems to be about three day trip. Ship on a Friday, gets there on Monday morning, usually. Handsaws are about ~$9 to ship. Boxes are free, you just pay for the postage…

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

It is very impressive, but not sure how much should be accredited to the efficiency of the USPS or to the alliance with FedEX. I have noticed many of my packages shipped to me by USPS are more effectively tracked using the FedEX website while some that are shipped by FedEX will actually be delayed and untrackable because the final delivery is performed by my local USPS courier. Stumpy’s experience with delayed shipping within the state and faster shipping cross country/overseas probably best demonstrates the difference in efficiency between the two.

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

In general I am really impressed with the USPS, FEDEX and UPS for shipping small things that weigh less than 20 lbs. I am on the east coast and I can send just about anything to California in about 3 days for a reasonable price.

I did have a tracking number for a USPS package once and tracked it and watched it go from Maryland to Georgia, to New York, to Missourri, back to Maryland and finally to Arizona. The ebay buyer complained about not receiving his package even though he could watch all the misteps, that was one well traveled package.

Agree.
But then think about the fact that a cellphone can make us call people al timein China in real time…
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.

I’ve shipped thousands of packages over the years and USPS has easily been the most reliable of the top three. I used to complain about their tracking (it was horrible) but recently I punched in a tracking number a couple days after it had shipped (it was coming to me) and it said “Delivered”. Color me surprised! The mail had only run about an hour before so that is a huge improvement.

-- -- Rick M.

I’m a fan of the USPS for getting goodies (woodworking and otherwise) shipped here to Alaska. I tend not to do business with vendors who are locked in to using FedEx or UPS. Sometimes the only option available is 2-day and that can be more then the item ordered. Even if they offer ground shipping, it’s more expensive and not much faster (if at all) than USPS Priority.

-- Brett — Peters Creek, Alaska

dont forget that USPS works SAT whereas the other colored companies do not… I usually prefer things shipped via USPS.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

We ship a lot to APOs. Always use the USPS priority boxes. USPS gets the merchandise to the correct APO shipping point just fine, but beyond that it’s the military’s baby. Usually, “space available”. A recent package took 8 weeks. the same merchandise takes 2-3 days when shipped in the states.
I can’t complain, though. If the soldiers need something, my package can wait.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton