Shipping Options
I'd like to
share my experiences about various shipping options.
1. Fed Ex.
A three on scale of one to five, or 3/5. They will
accept the packages if I label them as "Live
Plants". I use them only during warm weather and
when they are least expensive. My experience is that
they are competent but not outstanding. During the
winter I have had very bad experiences.
2. UPS.
Rating 2/5. I use them only when the customer
insists. Curiously, on the two ocassions in 1998 when
I recall the customer insisting, the shipments went
through fine. Following the first such shipment, I
used them voluntarily as they had the best
service/price, on paper, for the delivery location.
The box was totally destroyed! The delivery person
told my customer this was due to a "kicker"
they use to transfer the cartons from one conveyor to
another! Over the years, I would say that I have lost
50% of my UPS shipments.
3.
Airborne. Rating 4/5. In dozens of shipments, I have
only had one lost, and the customer thought that was
due to an unexpected heat wave. Will make next day
delivery to many small urban areas that they post
office will not. When the price is right, I do not
hesitate to use them.
4. Express
Mail. Rating 4/5. I think I have had only one lost
shipment over the past five years. That was at
Christmas time, during the UPS strike, and it was my
fault for not knowing that the temporary employees
would surely screw it up. The postal employees will
go out of their way to make a speedy delivery. Last
winter a customer called their local post office and
told them they wanted to be called when the shipment
arrived. They did so...at 3:00AM! The customer was
delighted, got dressed, and went and collected them!
My only
cautions are to carefully watch their cut-offs for
pick-up or drop off and to be certain you know their
delivery status to the zip code in question. For
example, although our post office is a regional
center next day delivery to many zip codes is limited
to packages dropped off by 2:00PM or picked up by
noon. In addition, delivery to many small urban areas
is 2nd day!
5. Air
Freight. Rating 3.5/5. Usually the least expensive,
but many customers do not like to pick up. The second
safest way to deliver during the winter. When there
are storms, the shipment is almost certain to be
delayed, and then the boxes can be kept in low
temperatures.
6. Airline
parcel service. Rating 4.5/5. When not outrageously
priced, an excellent service. Shares disadvantage of
customer having to pick up, but the boxes will always
be kept warm. Storms may delay shipment, but only as
much as passengers are delayed.
Lloyd Spear
Oct 28,1998
