Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

You have that backwards. UPS are union company employees paid hourly, where FedEx employs 'contract' drivers who are paid by the package. For me, it's Adorama simply for their outstanding customer service, and the fact I prefer UPS.

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Interesting conversation... I have had problems with all three carriers over the years. USPS lost a lens, FedEx frequently doesn't honor my delivery requests, and UPS destroyed a long lens (after I complained about the fact the delivery was 4 days overdue). The only service I have been 100% pleased with is DHL, who do exactly what they say they will, and on time. I agree with the tip left by many members - ask the carrier to leave the package for pick up at the local depot or store, then go pick it up. As an aside, I would avoid using Amazon for anything delicate - my D850 arrived in a large cardboard box with no internal padding at all! Sure, it arrived in two days, but the Nikon box was half open and dented on 2 corners.
At the end of the day, it is the care with which the shipment is packaged that makes all the difference - if that is done correctly, the carrier becomes much less of an issue

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have noticed that B&H has gone to FedEx- their deliveries take 3-6 days now with the emphasis on the the latter although they do say expedited shipping. I am not a fan of FedEx- my delivery dates are often changed without notice. I am notified of delivery one day and suddenly that date changes to the next day without advanced notice. UPS on the other hand delivers when they say. And USPS rarely misses their delivery date and is really 2-3 days and often the former. So if I order from B&H on a Wednesday I know I won't see my package until the following Tues at the earliest. In my mind I am waiting a week for my order. So I order more often from Adorama (who is still using UPS) and I get delivery as expected. Personally I would rather pay some for shipping and get it within 2-3 days.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

This thread is mainly addressing kudos and disappointments/frustrations with FedEx and UPS. Want to feel better about both? Buy something from Amazon these days and you may find your carrier is a company named OnTrac. If so, there’s a chance you may never complain about the other two... ever again. Their use, IMHO, is for cost reasons only. A quick trip to google to check their rating along with reviews and comments will soon show why. A lot of the comments start out with “if I could give them zero stars, I would” and go negative from there. Here, in our little bedroom community 23 miles from downtown Denver, we see UPS in the neighborhood twice a day like clockwork and FedEx a minimum of once in the early afternoon. No complaints. Amazon’s rockstar OnTrac is still making up their mind on whether to bother or not.

haze63 Loc: Tiffin Ohio

I will only order from those who let you choose your shipper. And I always use USPS PRIORITY MAIL ONLY.
Same for eBay.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

my knee-jerk response is that Amazon deliveries take priority

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

I have signed up ast FedEx and UPS; you can track, and then, on-line, divert it to ( as suggested ) a FedEx or UPS store - very convenient, at least in metro areas

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

we have come a long way, when we can say USPS does a better job than UPS or FedEx; as i said in another spot; probably Amazon gets priority in many instances; not to engage in politics ( I did vote Red ), not sure why POTUS bashes Amazon ( being the business guy he is ); USPS did not have to sign the contract pricing and its acceptance was a matter for both sides to consider - their duty is to the public; Amazon's duty is to their shareholders. any UHH reader ever work for the P.O. who would be able to educate us some on how pricing is determined ?

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Most companies treat their customers as they treat their employees. Their employee's attitudes are direct reflections upon how they treat their customers. I buy koi fish often for my pond and the outfit from whom I buy uses UPS to ship overnight. The packages are plainly marked "Live Fish". My packages are always loaded onto the truck first thing in the morning. They never arrive before 2:30. UPS also makes the mistake of allowing something called "Watch your Package" and I am able to watch while the driver roams all over the county with "Live Fish" on board their truck. That very truck gets to within a half mile from my house and then turns away and goes somewhere else. With the exception of one, the UPS drivers are less than civil when finally delivering my package. FedEX drivers are very polite and friendly, they all have treats for the dog. When handling two-day non-overnights shipments neither company moves during the weekend. If I ever order anything that requires over-the-weekend shipping the USPS is THE only way I ship, I know the item will move. I see my USPS delivery driver every day, he's one nice guy. He also arrives at the same time, every day. USPS is a much better option for rural residents. They have even been known to call in advance to make sure I am home at the time.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

In my area of Florida (Space Coast) USPS is the better way to go, followed very closely by UPS, and then Fed-ex, DHL etc. The only instances where there is more wait time than necessary is when the seller uses UPS Sure Post...in this UPS brings the item all the way to Fla but instead of delivering to me it goes to my local post office, this usually adds one to three days esp. around holidays and weekends. If I realize the seller is going to use that method I generally protest...often though its too late to change anything. I am somewhat lucky in that I know both my USPS mail lady and the normal driver for this UPS route (ah yes, living in the country can have its positives), and they are both very concientious and will even hide my packages in a special location if they find I'm not home. They are always placed in plastic bag (rain) and treated gently. FED-EX, not as quick and I seen the driver toss a laptop over my gate, a lens another time...beat up boxes, etc. I always request anyone other than Fed-ex. my 2 cents.

Valen Loc: Canonsburg, PA

I was inquiring if the FedEx were unionized given they will not fire this bad driver for the Pittsburgh region. If he's contracted labor then they should fire him since they tell me he is trouble.

Valen Loc: Canonsburg, PA

I agree, if B&H doesn't give customers a choice in delivery company then we will purchase from Adorama. I can't have lenses and other delicate equipment thrown onto my concrete step because the FedEx Ground driver assigned to this area has a bad customer attitude.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Agreed.

Mickey Jetpur Loc: California

Adorama on the whole seems to deliver quicker than B&H, though my Sony A7lll arrived fast from B&H, but it took 7 days for the CPL to arrive. So it just depends on when and how it was shipped and on the carrier. I do find Adorama quicker, usually 3 days from NY to CA.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

We told many here not to deal with 42nd street photo, why won't people listen?