How does Sideshow determine whether to use UPS or Fedex?

[ozzfan84]

I used to get everything from them by Fedex. For the past year and a half, it has now always been UPS.

I know you could call and request Fedex because they're usually faster (especially when we're talking across the country like I am).

My question is, does Sideshow already ship by the cheapest method available, or is there another way they determine which method to ship? For example, do they ship UPS because UPS will always be cheaper for the buyer (hypothetical, I don't really know), or are there other factors as well?

 

[Dusty]

I used to get everything from them by Fedex. For the past year and a half, it has now always been UPS.

I know you could call and request Fedex because they're usually faster (especially when we're talking across the country like I am).

My question is, does Sideshow already ship by the cheapest method available, or is there another way they determine which method to ship? For example, do they ship UPS because UPS will always be cheaper for the buyer (hypothetical, I don't really know), or are there other factors as well?

Here's the response from our shipping department (apologies for the delay):

Under $100 with no signature required always goes UPS (unless the customer specifically requests FedEx). Over $100 (signature automatically required) goes whichever way is cheapest and both carriers tend to have about the same transit times - neither is significantly faster or slower than the other with deliveries.

 

[Mesa]

do yourself a favor, request all shipments via UPS.

 

[preeny101]

Mesa, love The Stand avatar! And yes, avoid Fedex at your peril.

 

[tomandshell]

do yourself a favor, request all shipments via UPS.

UPS doesn't deliver on Saturday, FedEx does. If a package is going out on Friday, I want it the next day from FedEx, not three days later from UPS.

 

[Chapter 2099]

UPS doesn't deliver on Saturday, FedEx does. If a package is going out on Friday, I want it the next day from FedEx, not three days later from UPS.

I've always wondered that. So does that apply to Fed-Ex Ground shipments? FedEx will do Ground delivery on Saturdays?

 

[tomandshell]

Regular FedEx ground shipment from Sideshow gets to me the next day, and they will deliver on Saturdays. So a Friday shipment from Sideshow gets to me overnight from FedEx but on Monday afternoon from UPS. My UPS driver tends to come later in the day (sometimes between 6-7 pm) while the FedEx guy comes between 10-11 in the morning.

 

[Chapter 2099]

Regular FedEx ground shipment from Sideshow gets to me the next day, and they will deliver on Saturdays. So a Friday shipment from Sideshow gets to me overnight from FedEx but on Monday afternoon from UPS. My UPS driver tends to come later in the day (sometimes between 6-7 pm) while the FedEx guy comes between 10-11 in the morning.

That's good to know. I don't live that close to the Sideshow facility, but once in a "blue moon" when I'm sent a Fed-Ex package, it'll sometimes be delivered on a Saturday, which has always impressed me since on used to the UPS policy.

 

[Mesa]

IMO, Fed Ex is geared towards businesses, and UPS is geared towards residences. Fed Ex ALWAYS did deliveries during normal working hours, where UPS would at least wait to deliver till after 4:00 PM. I think that's one of the reasons UPS asks if you are delivering to a residence or a business, and they adjust delivery schedule accordingly. On top of that, Fed Ex system is so bass ackwards that say if you want to change your missed fed Ex delivery to a closer location, Fed Ex can't accomodate it, meaning I want to move package from a Fed Ex Ground facility to a Fed Ex Home facility, they don't talk to each other. And on top of that, my Fed Ex Ground facility, which is who attempts the deliveries that I always miss, is about 30 miles away located in downtown Phoenix.

In short, Fed Ex sucks balls.

 

[Dusty]

Now, now, no need to be harsh

Every delivery system is going to be different for each person - it's up to you to choose which you prefer and then you can let Customer Service know to send yours a specific way each time

 

[barryo]

And on top of that, my Fed Ex Ground facility, which is who attempts the deliveries that I always miss, is about 30 miles away located in downtown Phoenix.

exact reason i go with UPS myself......fed-ex is too far away if i miss a signature delivery.....& its happened twice. ..........my UPS facility is like 3 miles from me.......easy choice.

 

[Havok]

UPS always delivers to my house way late, like around 7PM, and FedEx always delivers in the morning. For that reason alone it makes me want to request FedEx on a permanent basis, but I've heard alot of bad things about them. Although I've never had any issues myself.

 

[The Ween]

I want it sent whichever way will be the cheapest for me.

 

[Faken]

do yourself a favor, request all shipments via UPS.

Total opposite for me... UPS is EASILY the worst courier company I have ever had the displeasure of using. They have the highest loss and damage rate than any other courier including USPS by a HUGE margin. In fact right now I am dealing with them on a $4000 claim for something they smashed with a forklift. I had to use them by my client's request, needless to say UPS did their thing as usual on it

In fact, without exaggeration, UPS has either "lost in transit" or damaged my shipments about 60% of the time, and that's with about 100 shipments total. I've since shipped thousands of things with FedEx and national postal companies and all of them combined still works out to less than the ^^^^ I had to deal with from UPS ^^^ups.

 

[fanboyz]

Anyone use FedEx from Sideshow distributors to Canada for statues like PF? I was wondering what the shipping including tax and especially brokerage fees cost? like a $300 statue

 

[Faken]

Anyone use FedEx from Sideshow distributors to Canada for statues like PF? I was wondering what the shipping including tax and especially brokerage fees cost? like a $300 statue

I get my stuff shipped direct from Sideshow to me in Canada (used to) and it's expensive because they do not use FedEx ground, only express. Also, I can't tell you shipping because it's based on the size and weight of the box, but I can tell you the average Hot Toys Predator at $139.99ish retail costs $225 once all is said and done. Brokerage is included in the price of Fedex Express International... only ground has extra brokerage.

Sorry I should say USED to do this. I now have Sideshow ship my purchases to my friend in the US, and then I have them ship it to me via USPS. I save literally $50 per $100 of the purchase price by doing this. So if a statue costs $500, I will save $250 in shipping, duty and taxes by shipping it within the US, then having them ship it to me USPS.

 

[The Mike]

FedEx may deliver on Saturdays but they don't on Mondays....at least in my area. One thing in UPS's favor is they'll reroute a package it'll just delay it a day or so, FedEx charges for that.

 

[fanboyz]

I get my stuff shipped direct from Sideshow to me in Canada (used to) and it's expensive because they do not use FedEx ground, only express. Also, I can't tell you shipping because it's based on the size and weight of the box, but I can tell you the average Hot Toys Predator at $139.99ish retail costs $225 once all is said and done. Brokerage is included in the price of Fedex Express International... only ground has extra brokerage.

Sorry I should say USED to do this. I now have Sideshow ship my purchases to my friend in the US, and then I have them ship it to me via USPS. I save literally $50 per $100 of the purchase price by doing this. So if a statue costs $500, I will save $250 in shipping, duty and taxes by shipping it within the US, then having them ship it to me USPS.

That sucks, I might have to reconsider buying Captain America exclusive. They ship via FedEx International Economy. The shipping is already $86 excluding taxes and fees.

 

[Faken]

That sucks, I might have to reconsider buying Captain America exclusive. They ship via FedEx International Economy. The shipping is already $86 excluding taxes and fees.

Yeah it sucks dude... usually I would just try not to look at my cc bill and take it in the financial tail pipe, but times being what they are, you gotta cut back on spending and try to save on what you do end up buying. I've actually been cutting back on everything... car, insurance, utilities, collectibles etc... dealing down rates and cutting where I can like crazy. You should see my coupon collection now!!