NewsNet5.comConsumer - Money
EducationEmploymentAutoHealthHealth ExpertsHouse And HomeWEDDINGSHomeTown ExpertsLegalCleveland247Real EstateDatingTravelFamily


Consumer Specialist Puts FedEx, UPS, USPS To Test

5 On Your Side Partners With Sister Stations

POSTED: 1:32 pm EST November 18, 2005

You pack them up. They ship them out, and NewsChannel5 put the the shipping companies to the test.

5 On Your Side Consumer Specialist Angie Lau tested the large shipping companies -- FedEx, United States Postal Service and UPS -- for shipping holiday gifts.

5 On Your Side partnered with sister stations all over the country, beginning in Baltimore, to conduct the test.

Investigative Reporter Tisha Thompson placed a delicate glass ornament in a sea of styrofoam peanuts, and weighed it down to a little less than 10 lbs.

Shipping Comparison | Companies Respond

She then sent the package to NewsChannel5, Lau reported.

The costs are as follows:

FedEx three-day cost -- $15.48
UPS three-day cost -- $22.96
United States Postal Service, using its priority mail service -- $7.35

On day one, nothing arrived. Then on day two, Lau was notified at 9:30 a.m. of a delivery.

Lau reported the USPS was the first to arrive and was by far the cheapest. She added that everything arrived safe and sound.

The FedEx package arrived in one piece, but the UPS box was ripped, she added.

Lau reported although the UPS box arrived banged up, all the companies passed the breakage test. FedEx and UPS arrived two hours after the first package.

The same test was repeated for Detroit, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Phoenix, and West Palm Beach.

The winner was FedEx with the fastest time nationwide, but the best value for the holiday season is the United States Postal Service, Lau reported.

She said the cost was less than half the price of FedEx and a third of UPS's rate.

The local U.S. Postal Service Retail Ambassador Natasha Williams said they will get the package there cheap, but reminds customers it's up to the consumer to pack it right.

"Prevention always is the best cure. We always try to get the package to the destination in one piece, in the event of damage, and they bought insurance we will process insurance claim for them," said Williams.

Go to USPS Web site for additional holiday shipping information.



Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More Details

If your credit is shabby, you'll need to shore up your score to convince a lender you're worthy. Here's how to boost your point total. More Details

Acupuncture, massage, or other complementary therapies could manage your type-2 diabetes. Find out whether they can help you. More Details

You’ve heard of certain foods that can help you prevent cancer and even halt the spread of the disease. Find out if these anti-cancer foods really work. More Details

Sponsored Links

Best Local Rates On...



LocalNational

30 Yr Fixed Mortgage5.04%5.02%

48 Mo New Car Loan5.59%6.79%

$30k Home Eq Loan7.25%8.33%

6 Month CD1.03%1.13%
Help! I don't understand!
More Rates


Experian Credit Center
1. Make sure possible inaccuracies aren't hurting your credit

2. Detect potential identity theft

3. Stay on top of your credit without hurting your score

See your Free Credit Report online in seconds when you sign up for a free 30-day credit monitoring trial!

Sponsor

Sponsor

Low Interest Cards

And not just because plastic outweighs paper. Low interest credit cards offer lower APRs, which means more of your money stays in your wallet. More Details

CreditCards.com

E-Mail News

Get E-Mail News Headlines When YOU Want Them
 Breaking News Alerts
Noon Headlines
Daily Forecast

Find Local Businesses