You must be familiar with the FedEx, and UPS websites and their constant reminders to open an account and save a whopping 10% on your next shipment. To open an account, all you need is a credit card! They do not perform any credit checks; their only concern is being able to get authorizations from your credit card. They let you believe that you were getting a great deal instead of using independent shippers. Do you ever wonder why?

FedEx and UPS have made international shipping a science! They have third-party firms that research ways to maximize profits, so they bill for everything! Here is a list of secrets and hidden facts they do not want you to know:

1. 10% off is a discount on their highest book rate! Using an independent shop may offer you a better discount!
2. Pick-up fees range from $8 to $25.00 per pick-up
3. Address correction fee: $10 per package.
4. Dim weight adjustments: a large 5-lb box may cost the equivalent of 35 lbs due to its cubic size.
5. Residential Delivery surcharges of $2.50 to $7.00
6. Fuel surcharges range from 12 to 31%
7. Signature Service surcharges range from $4.50 to $24.50
8. Extra Delivery incurs a reattempt charge of $25.00 per shipment.
9. International Document Prep fee: $20.00 to $40.00
10. Brokerage fees: most carriers will add their fees to brokerage or customs fees!

The best part of their act is they do not have to tell you or get your permission to hit your credit card! These charges will show up in your credit card statement, but they are not detailed; all you see is one line item with tracking information. A shipment that was quoted to be $50.00 when you printed the label is now showing at $215.00 or more! When you sign up for the online account, you give the carrier the right to bill your credit card for anything and everything about the shipment.

Now what? Shop around! Be careful not to use carrier’s stores like Kinko, UPS stores, or FedEx Office; they offer book rates (think of them as MSRP pricing) Use local shops that are independently owned and operated. They do not pay loyalty fees and support your local community.

If you are lucky to live in Metro Boston, look us up! Consumers who lose money on Dotcom accounts have told us hundreds of horror stories. Our system will offer you a real-time quote and display all carrier rates in front of you in one screenshot! It will compile quotes from UPS – FEDEX and USPS and display them on the monitor in front of you. The display will show the estimated time of deliveries, costs, and carriers. What You See Is What You Pay—no hidden fees, no bills later!

For more information, visit https://NeighborhoodParcel.com