UPS Next Day Air VS. Next Day Air Saver: Difference is $$$!

Andy Griffith · Aug 25, 2009

Ok. We've been over this a hundred times, I know.

We all know that for a non-licensee, there is no other choice but to use a common carrier, according to law.

Unfortunately, UPS is the only one to accept it in a practical manner for the majority of us. It is accepted that it has to go Next Day Air according to company rules.

Here's my rub...

I have always shipped Next Day Air Saver until today. I have never had a problem until now. Next Day Air Saver is still next day air, but it arrives anytime the next day- not guaranteed by 3:00 PM or anything.

I was told that there was only "one rate that I could choose."

I am trying to think...I wonder if I had never put down "handgun" in the little box on the screen before, and rather told the employee at the counter. Also this wasn't the guy I used to know who worked there. This rubbed me the wrong way.

Has anyone else been forced to take something besides Next Day Air Saver?

Andy Griffith · Aug 25, 2009

Ok. I got it now after getting off the phone with UPS.

Not all locations are served by the "Saver" service.

Mostly, if that area only is served by one delivery per day- which where I wanted to ship to.

So, I wouldn't have been able to get that even if I was shipping two sheets of pre-owned toilet paper.
If I didn't bad luck, I wouldn't have any at all.

Grayfox · Aug 25, 2009

Can't you use UPS second day air now? I could have sworn I heard that the rules were changed.

Thiokol · Oct 4, 2013

Grayfox said:
Can't you use UPS second day air now? I could have sworn I heard that the rules were changed.

UPS second day air is not an option. Here's their firearms tariff: UPS: Shipping Firearms. That being said, large corporations that do a lot of business with UPS or Fedex can negotiate special deals. If you check the Fedex firearms tariff here: FedEx Express Terms and Conditions and FedEx Ground Tariff they state that firearms must be shipped via Priority Overnight. Yet, S&W can ship via 2nd day air. That's how they shipped my Shield back to me.

35Rem · Oct 4, 2013

My FFL charges $15 for the transfer + USPS Priority flat rate box and insurance. Runs about $40-45 total.
"Only way to fly"

Rastoff · Oct 4, 2013

Grayfox said:
Can't you use UPS second day air now? I could have sworn I heard that the rules were changed.

An FFL can use 2nd Day Air through the USPS. Alas, us mere mortals have to do it differently.

tlay · Oct 4, 2013

I don't know if I qualify as having a FFL but I have a C&R license and have always shipped 2 day air. The price is a lot less. I use Fedx.

Thiokol · Oct 4, 2013

tlay said:
I don't know if I qualify as having a FFL but I have a C&R license and have always shipped 2 day air. The price is a lot less. I use Fedx.

Did you declare that you were shipping a pistol, as required by the BATFE and the Fedex tariff? If you didn't and your pistol was lost or stolen, you'll be out of luck if you file a loss or damage claim. Don't ask me how I know as I might start crying.

CAJUNLAWYER · Oct 4, 2013

35Rem said:
My FFL charges $15 for the transfer + USPS Priority flat rate box and insurance. Runs about $40-45 total.
"Only way to fly"

So does the FFL just take your money and the box containing the gun outside the post office and then go in and mail it or does he have to log in the firearm? Serious question here.

Thiokol · Oct 4, 2013

CAJUNLAWYER said:
So does the FFL just take your money and the box containing the gun outside the post office and then go in and mail it or does he have to log in the firearm? Serious question here.

By law, he must log it in to his bound book. He would be a fool to not do so as it could cost him his license.

tlay · Oct 4, 2013

Yes, I declare it is a handgun, show my license and the license where it is going and buy insurance.

Thiokol · Oct 4, 2013

tlay said:
Yes, I declare it is a handgun, show my license and the license where it is going and buy insurance.

Then the Fedex clerk is a fool for putting his job in jeopardy for not abiding by his company policy.

35Rem · Oct 4, 2013

CAJUNLAWYER said:
So does the FFL just take your money and the box containing the gun outside the post office and then go in and mail it or does he have to log in the firearm? Serious question here.

Caj,
Yes, he logs it in his book FROM me, to the destination FFL, takes to the USPS Post Office and mails.
I'll go with him to make sure it goes and that the insurance is what I want and to pay the exact amount. I think he can print a label at his shop, if so equipped.

therevjay · Oct 4, 2013

Maybe us peons HAVE TO ship "next day air" but the big boys don't. NAA sent my "Mini Mag" back to me after warranty service UPS ground.

Rastoff · Oct 4, 2013

therevjay said:
Maybe us peons HAVE TO ship "next day air" but the big boys don't. NAA sent my "Mini Mag" back to me after warranty service UPS ground.

Did they send it regular Ground service or 2nd Day Ground?

Like I said before, FFLs can ship by 2nd Day service.

therevjay · Oct 4, 2013

Rastoff said:
Did they send it regular Ground service or 2nd Day Ground?

Like I said before, FFLs can ship by 2nd Day service.

I can't tell you now. This happened a year or so ago. I never knew there was a "second day ground" service.

bluegrassarms · Oct 4, 2013

Rastoff said:
Did they send it regular Ground service or 2nd Day Ground?

Like I said before, FFLs can ship by 2nd Day service.

Do you have a reference to that? I haven't found anything from UPS that FFLs are treated different. AFAIK it's next day only regardless of status, though maybe the big manufacturers have separate deals. I'll ask next time I'm out there for a long gun. They have to go to the main service depot here but at least that means they should have the right answer.

Fedex I believe at one time allowed use of 2nd day, but they changed that policy some time ago. I imagine a number of their employees are still operating under the old rule.

Thiokol · Oct 4, 2013

He's talking about 2nd day air through the post office, not with UPS or Fedex. An FFL can ship a handgun via registered mail, priority mail, or air.

bluegrassarms · Oct 4, 2013

Thiokol said:
He's talking about 2nd day air through the post office, not with UPS or Fedex. An FFL can ship a handgun via registered mail, priority mail, or air.

Gotcha. I was confused b/c 2nd day isn't a restriction either way for FFLs and USPS. As you said we can ship priority or registered and no non-FFL can use it at all regardless of class.

Tom Beavert · Oct 4, 2013

this

35Rem said:
My FFL charges $15 for the transfer + USPS Priority flat rate box and insurance. Runs about $40-45 total.
"Only way to fly"

My LGS is about the same, sometimes less on the transfer.
tb

UPS Next Day Air VS. Next Day Air Saver: Difference is $$$!

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