Meadowdale H.S. graduation 2012
Middletown H.S. graduation 2012
Dunbar H.S. graduation 2012
Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > August > 24
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Comparing the US Postal Service with Fed Ex
Books are important to me. I rely heavily upon the service provided by UPS, Fed Ex, and the US Postal Service. Publishers send me books. I buy books on-line. All those packages enter what I call the “book delivery funnel.” So I have made a number of observations in regard to the various levels of service provided by these entities.
As most of you know, the USPS is in deep financial trouble. There are discussions of making drastic changes in the level of service the USPS provides. On the other hand, Fed Ex is known as being ultra efficient and they are in a position to “scoop the cream” so to speak by selectively delivering packages and charging premium prices to do so.
Allow me to share a couple of delivery experiences that I have had with the USPS and Fed Ex. (I’m leaving UPS out of this comparison for the moment. And let it be noted that I’m very pleased with the level of service I get from all my carriers at UPS, USPS, Fed Ex, and Fed Ex Ground).
I make a distinction between Fed Ex and Fed Ex Ground, too. They are very different in the way that they are run. I’m talking about only Fed Ex here (not Fed Ex Ground) and the USPS.
Here are my experiences: about 2 weeks ago I bought a very important item on eBay. I needed it for taping an author interview on WYSO. I needed it ASAP. Unfortunately, the item in question was in Australia. I was informed that it would be posted by air mail and I could expect it in 3 weeks.
It arrived 10 days later in the US Mail. My carrier had me sign for the package and I was thrilled to have it almost 2 weeks before I expected it to arrive.
And here’s my Fed Ex story: one day I saw my Fed Ex guy out on his route. I asked if he had any packages for me. He said that he did not but that he would have one for me tomorrow. I wondered; how does he know I’m getting something tomorrow?
OK, so he made his delivery the following day. I asked him how he knew that I would be getting something that day? He explained that there had actually been a package that had arrived for me the day before but that he had not been allowed to deliver it because the customer had only paid for delivery on the next day after that.
I was floored to hear this. Apparently this is common practice at the ultra efficient Fed Ex. You only get what you paid for. If a package moves through their system and arrives before the date that the sender paid for it to be delivered then they hold the package. It just sits there.
Imagine that. Can you picture the USPS doing that? No, they would bring the package out as soon as it arrived in their facility. Unless it was on a Sunday.
As I said~I was floored. And I admire this Fed Ex driver for explaining how their system really works. You apparently get just what you paid for and nothing extra.
Do you have any anecdotes you would like to share about the various levels of service that you have experienced from the USPS, UPS, or the two Fed Ex systems? I’m curious to know what has happened to you. War stories, please.
(p.s. My UPS delivery just arrived. I asked my driver if they ever sit on packages in the way that I understand Fed Ex might. He looked at me with astonishment and said they would deliver whatever had arrived at their facility. He said they would not sit on a package that arrived before it was supposed to arrive-it would get delivered regardless of the level of service the sender purchased).
Vick Mickunas
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