Why Are Sellers Still Using USPS?

Why are sellers/shippers still using USPS? I purchased some costly stamps online in the first week of Feb. The seller used USPS 'Priority' mail and the inevitable happened, the parcel has been wandering around since then with no firm delivery date in sight. After purchasing, I asked the seller to use a different carrier and offered to pay the difference but they refused.

I am not frustrated by USPS, I am frustrated that some sellers keep using USPS when it is clear that delays are currently going to be experienced. The delays have been known since November, why would any quality seller not be using a carrier other than USPS by now? Grr.
Don

What other shipping service is available for anywhere near the same cost? I tried the Fedex site and couldn't find a service for less that $35 for an item weighing less than 1 lb. I ship everything in 12X12 LP record boxes and pay $3.50 with USPS. Buyers are extremely cost sensitive when it comes to shipping.

I have been using the Express Saver (3 day) FedEx small box (12" x 11" up to 20 pounds) it is $9-$12 depending upon distance, this is only slightly more than the equivalent USPS (Regional Rate A or B) box for me. I still use USPS for things like Stamp Smarter prizes or other discounted items.

But when a buyer offers to pay the difference I would think that a seller would welcome the change. And on more costly items I think that sellers should consider giving buyers an option. if nothing else offering an option would greatly reduce push back from buyers when the USPS is going to be late.
Don

I'll check out the Fedex small box again but when I used the Fedex calculator I didn't see that. I tried UPS flat rate but it didn't seem to work well for us. Knock on wood but I haven't had any trouble yet. I sent 4 medium or large USPS Priority boxes each week and haven't had any mishaps. If someone requests a different shipping service I would try to comply but so far I've not had any requests for a change in service.

I ship 25 packages a week using the 1st Class Package service and these are all under 13 oz. I don't think there are any cost effective alternatives to the USPS for these items.

Ken

The FedEx Flat rate link is here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shippin...-and-packing
Scroll down to the rates section of the page (a bit hidden behind a 'expandable' drop down thingy).

And FedEx seemed to take about 10 days to send me the free packaging supplies, a bit longer than USPS.

I only am using the FedEx 'Envelope' (plain cardboard flat), ''Pak' (soft bubble envelope), and 'small box' services. For me these are only a small premium (a dollar or two) over USPS equivalents and I only use them for higher dollar, more important, or shipments that I want to reach the person in a decent delivery time. Sometimes a buck or two is better than the stress and hassle of a late shipment (for me).
Don

I have a real recent experience where an item failed to be delivered and the buyer opened a case on me in eBay. Not worth the trouble and I gave him a refund, it was not an expensive item. I also have a flat rate envelope priority mail package which was badly mishandled by the USPS and I have yet to evaluate the contents as I am out of town. I had it insured but dread the idea that I might need to file a claim.

I believe that in the very near future USPS rates will increase to the point where they no longer have any advantage for this type of shipping and it will be "game on".

It depends completely on what you are selling/shipping. Sure, for larger/bulkier items, FedEx and UPS are comparable to USPS, but if you're talking smaller items (single stamps, covers, etc.) where you are charging $1-5 for shipping, there is no non-USPS equivalent and buyers will NOT pay the extra freight unless the merchandise is moderate-to-expensive in cost.

If there's a better way to ship items for less than $5, I'm all ears...

I sent a 5.9 oz flat small package via FedEx yesterday from Mass to Texas, cheapest rate was $40! Really, that was the CHEAPEST.

I assume that was FedEx next day or two-day, and NOT FedEx Ground...

Absolutely. Most of the things I buy for my collection tend to be single stamps, postal cards, or covers with prices under $10 (usually even under $5), so I'm very rarely amenable to having a $9–12 shipping charge added to that.

If Don's willing to pay more for FedEx, UPS, etc. and the seller refuses, that's another issue entirely.

The comments thus far point out the silliness of a "one size fits all" approach. Most sellers that I have seen have the same shipping terms regardless of the item cost. It makes no sense. Perhaps it is ease of listing or an eBay thing? It would seem that offering choice to a buyer is the way to go. Check out and pick USPS First Class or Fedex Ground or an Express option or whatever. Obviously if you just spent $5 on a stamp you likely are not going to fork over $25 for shipping but if you just spent $500 on a stamp you should have the option of whatever you like and are more comfortable with. Expediency and safe arrival go hand in hand to some extent because the longer an item is in the system and the more handling it is subject to the more chances there are of something going wrong.

This is my solution — just buy more expensive stamps so you can justify the expense of FedEx!

I use USPS Priority Mail on a weekly basis. During the last Christmas season, items were taking a week or more to get to their destination. Other than that, I've never had a problem.

Ordered some parts for my other passion, antique car restoration, on Feb 8. Paid $115.00 for Priority mail 2 day both shipped at the same time from the same person. One of the two packages arrived in 3 days. The other is still out there somewhere. PO has claimed Covid, weather, and lack of help. Yesterday in yet another conversation I was told "give it another week".
My comment on the antique car forum is never again will I use the USPS for anything other than a letter. Maybe once they lose the profitable individual customer they will review the feasibility and real cost of customers like Amazon.
OK done venting for now.
Totally unacceptable.