Shipping books: UPS vs. USPS

Question

I'm shipping several boxes of books, clothes, and household items to my new address within the U.S. and am not sure which service to use, UPS or USPS. I read that USPS won't leave packages at the address unless there's someone to sign for them, but the USPS rates look less expensive and more flexible about package size.

Unfortunately, I don't have a scale at home to weigh the boxes.

Many thanks.

Answer 1

UPS may not leave them either unless there is someone to sign for them.  Both services will leave a card though and tell you where you can pick them up.  I would go with USPS, or if it is convenient look for a bus company that can ship your packages.  That will probably be the cheapest rate, and often people don't realize that you can ship by Greyhound and other bus companies for very reasonable rates.

Answer 2

huh before your details i find the opposite true of what you say. i shipped a lot of things and am actually going thru same thing you are right now as well. i had the convience of going to one place that ships both postal and UPS though. i always asked which was cheaper and it was almost always UPS. plus UPS has automatic insurance and whats really great about UPS is you can track your own package through your computer. if a package gets lost at post office you are pretty much out of luck. UPS will do all the weight figuring out for you and even wrap it for you (at cost) where post office will not. the only draw back with UPS is sometimes packages need to be signed and if you are not there after first try you must pick it up yourself at hub (not sure about USPS)

side note dealing with ebay however i noticed packages overseas fair better with postal (even though takes longer) than UPS which never seem to arrive.

My opinion overall is UPS is better for domestic packages, try to find a place that ships both, good luck!