FEDX or UPS for shipping firearms and firearm components?

[thefitter]

Anybody have any strong opinions either way?

Thanks

 

[butchlambert]

Anybody have any strong opinions either way?

Thanks

I wouldn't use either. I always use the postal service. I know others have other opinions, but I ship at least 500 units a year around the Globe.

 

[Lapua40X]

I wouldn't use either. I always use the postal service. I know others have other opinions, but I ship at least 500 units a year around the Globe.

That'd get my vote too. Even though they do hand their packages off to UPS delivery. They even have UPS labels on the packages (I just mailed one this morning at the local post office)
Other than that, if you don't want to argue with a postal employee or a UPS or FedEx agent, have your local FFL dealer package and ship it for you. My local FFL handles the who thing for $25 plus shipping costs and they do it every day so I don't need to be concerned about some clerk who is unfamiliar with handling firearms fouling up the shipment.

 

[majohnson]

Even though I have had troubles with USPS, I still use them quite a bit. As for the other two, when I was building custom fishing gear for the guys that fish the big marlin tournaments, I used both with great results.

 

[artbosco]

If given a choice by the shipper, USPS, then FEDEX, then UPS.

Sometimes, depending on the item, you aren't given a choice.

 

[Joe C]

If I'm shipping a pistol I only use Fedex overnight.

 

[wedgy]

UPS has better tracking than FedX and light years ahead of USPS. Reliability is UPS, FEDX, then USPS in my neck of the woods.

 

[s100whunter]

UPS and USPS both have lost a barrel,UPS has better tracking but I use USPS they are much cheaper

 

[rwk]

What do you folks use to send a rifle back to the factory.

 

[butchlambert]

I don't have anything new enough to send back to the factory.

 

[snakepit]

What do you folks use to send a rifle back to the factory.

If I am returning a new or fairly new rifle for a issue that I feel the factory should repair under warranty they should issue you a prepaid return usually by FedEx or UPS. Once in a while I have had to argue with them to get it but if they will not then I ask for a supervisor who usually approves the prepaid return.

If I am returning on my own dime I usually use USPS and have had good luck with them. They may be slightly slower and the tracking is not as good but they are a lot cheaper. My local Post Office has been hassle free when shipping a rifle but when I have used them I have found 2 of the postal clerks that are easy to work with so I always use one of them. They always ask me if it has been dissembled so it will not fire and I tell them that the bolt has been removed from the rifle but still in the case and they are ok with that.

 

[Rustystud]

Both UPS and FedEx give me heartburn thinking about them. I no longer ship with FedEx. Neither direction sending or receiving.
Had to sue both companies to get their "self insurance" to get a claim settled.
Recently, I closed my commercial account with UPS due to excessive over charges. With a commercial account the bill comes a month after the package ships. They routinely billed me for oversized or over weight packages when they were not oversized. When I confronted them with my receipts with their own measurements and then their billing for the same package. $104.00 in over charges for that one package. They have a real scam going. I suggest everyone doing business with UPS to audit their shipping receipts.

 

[MrEd333]

UPS is horrible!!!!!!
I had a reamer delivered and it went tot the wrong residence. Luckily, I have honest neighbors who delivered it to me the next day.
As far as Fed Ex goes, my friend caught them throwing his parcel at the front door rather than placing it there.
YMMV

 

[butchlambert]

I've mentioned this before. I paid UPS to pack and ship an engraving machine. $165. Of course it was delivered in many pieces. I filed a claim and they denied it it. Said it wasn't boxed properly. I said you boxed it. I finally had to get an attorney involved to get my money.

 

[VaniB]

I absolutely despise UPS. I don't think FedEx is much better. While there is something less then perfect to be said about all 3 carriers, I have NEVER suffered a lost or damaged rifle or barrel shipped with USPS. Just use care when shipping. (legible printed address labels, secure and well sealed packing, etc.) If you can allow an extra few days for delivery, use USPS registered mail. It is slow but still the most secure way to ship anything valuable.


EDIT; I just noticed the post date of this thread. I guess your package has been shipped off by now? LOL

 

[butchlambert]

I did have a package that floated around the Central USA for a couple weeks. I tracked it and made a phone call. It was delivered the next day. My usually very dependable post lady keyed in the wrong zip code.