Endless Goods said:
In my experience, FedEx ground is a VERY reasonable and safe shipping method. Most don't realize they offer ground shipping.
It is typically 30-50% cheaper than UPS ground, and the handling is MUCH better.
I shipped over $2000 worth of stereo equipment without a problem...and I feel FedEx as a business is well managed and responsive to customers.
Maybe bext time?
I agree that FedEx is cheaper, but both FedEx and UPS have delivered damaged bikes to me and neither have honored the insurance. A large part of the problem is that the shipper is responsible for filing all of the paperwork, following up, etc. Yet the shipper has no monetary interest in making this a success, so they're less inclined to continue working on getting money. i.e. My frame is damaged, my money was spent, yet, if I call FedEx or UPS they tell me that the Seller needs to do something and I have no say. It's a recipe for never paying claims.
The downside to FedEx was the claim that I did file was handled with more incompetency than I ever thought possible. The seller (who was very helpful) submitted the paperwork three times as FedEx continually misplaced it. A FedEx driver finally picked up the frame for "damage inspection" from the repair shop where I had taken it in Richmond, CA. FedEx then returned the frame to a frame builder in Santa Cruz, CA (about 80 miles from where they picked it up). The driver had assured the repair shop that he did not need to label the box that the frame was in, as he'd be bringing it right back. Luckily the Santa Cruz frame builder called the repair shop and asked why he'd sent them the frame. He said that he hadn't and asked them to return it. The frame made it's way back in the end no worse for wear, but well traveled.
The moral of the story is never expect payment on damages from FedEx or UPS. The headaches and effort put into it is a waste of energy. If the damage is bad, return the item to the seller and work on refunding the money through your credit card company, your chances are much better there.
End of my rant.