UPS Store pricing

[heavyd]

There's a UPS Store next to my neighborhood grocery store, so it's very convenient. I boxed up a 10 cigar troop bomb in a box slightly larger than the small USPS Priority box that is available through USPS (the box we use for fivers).

I knew it would cost more to send it through UPS Store than it would to send a USPS Priority box via the post office, but I could not believe it when the cute chic behind the UPS Store counter told me that it would cost $18.80 to send the box from CA to OH. And, that was my cheapest option.

If this pricing is typical for UPS Store (I don't go there often enough to know), how do they stay in business?

I understand that UPS Store is a franchise(?) business that needs to make a profit, but I was truly blown away with the $18.80 quote.

What do you guys think?

 

[Alwayslit]

USPS on line option is the only way to go

 

[smokemifugotem]

Yes it is common....but I found out last time I was there that most of them also send via usps. So you can ask for that and they will do it...was a lot closer to the USPS price when I did it. Should ask them next time you ship...especially if using a USPS box.

 

[heavyd]

Yes it is common....but I found out last time I was there that most of them also send via usps. So you can ask for that and they will do it...was a lot closer to the USPS price when I did it. Should ask them next time you ship...especially if using a USPS box.

The $18.80 price was for USPS Priority. That was their cheapest option (sorry, didn't mention that in the first post. The quoted price was not my only option, just the cheapest). The box I used was not a USPS box. Perhaps that made a difference. It was still a shock.

 

[StogieNinja]

The UPS stores charge a pretty hefty markup from my understanding. They're all independently franchised.