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HomeBusiness & TechnologyShippingHow to Pick a Shipping Service

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Jul 11 '01

The Bottom Line Prices and participation may vary. Service may not be available in all areas.

For shipping, I usually go with the Post Office, although FedEx and UPS seem to be taking a hint. The one advantage that the Post Office has is location. For anything under a pound, I can go simply leave it in my mailbox. This is very easy for me. Since I usually end up in the Post Office anyway, I can pick up exact postage. (Book rate charges by the pound, so if there's any debate, there's a chance I'll have to bring it regardless.) Other services may require you to bring packages in anyway or will charge for pickup. This is the first thing you should ask about.

After that, look at price and service. How much do they charge and what's the delivery time? Same-day service may not always be necessary, but you will probably want it to get there sooner rather than later and at a reasonable price. (In some cases, it may be worth it to rent a U-Haul truck and drive it up yourself.)

Also, look at the extras you can get. Most will have insurance and delivery confirmation, even if they call it something else. I don't know that I've ever needed anything beside that, so I can't tell you what to expect. If the major competitors don't have what you need, look for specialized shippers. Some deal with furniture while others deal with instruments. There should be something for you.

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