Pack & Ship Rip-off
 

Just got back from Pack & Ship store on Bichara Blvd.. mailing a 3 lb package to Winter Haven size was 14x4x4”. Clerk at Pack n Ship said best price was USPS for $15.95. And UPS was $17.44. Then said would do the UPS for the same price.... thought I was getting a deal...
went home and decided that was a lot of money for mailing to Winter Haven... looked up the price for USPS ....the price was $8.70 and the UPS was $10.73... Also UPS will pick up at your door....... I don’t mind anyone making a buck but that was a ripoff...... last time I ever use the Pack & Ship places in the Villages.....

Understand that the UPS Store gets discounted prices from UPS.
All the other pack & ships have to charge more because they
pay higher prices.
That’s why I never understood using the pack & ships.

Okay...understanding pack and ships isn't needed...some folks find it more convenient and money isn't an object.

As to the original poster if they were serious they'd have printed the prices and gone back to the pack and ship and provided their proof of misrepresentation...they did not...therefore their story is suspicious.

I stopped using them a long time ago. They are a ripoff.

UPS charges $9.90 IIRC (used to be $5) for a 1 time home pickup as long as you have a preprinted prepaid label although some businesses like Amazon will offer a free UPS pickup if the return was their error. USPS doesn't charge for a pickup. In both cases you have to sit home all day waiting or leave the package at your front door. which I wouldn't suggest. Pack N Ship and Safe SHip gets a discount from the carriers but also has to make a PROFIT to pay the employees, pay the rent, pay for the A/C, pay for insurance. They can't do that selling mailing envelopes for $2. Think of it as a convenience fee and not a rip-off because it really isn't a rip-off.

It sounds like the pack and ship store is making a profit. How is that a misrepresentation?

You are paying for the convenience at Pack and Ship so how much is your time worth if you have to sit most of the day at home?

Here's a heads up for those living in the southern area and want to mail something big. There is an actual Fedex Location that takes packages exactly 3.1 miles from Morse Blvd and SR 44. No added charges, it's a real Fedex. It's just past the gun shop and across the road on the left. It's behind another building about 50 yards off the road. They have a counter for dropping items off and you don't need an account, just pay in person. It's behind SCP Distributors, see the map at the link.

Google Maps

Do yo do your food shopping at the gas stations (Shell/7-11 etc)? Those are convenience stores and charge a premium for the convenience just as the shipping stores are.

Thanks. I'll have to try Publix next time I need food and see if I can save some money.

Good to know. Thanks.

Stopped using them looooong ago. Started using FedEx. Cheaper and better service..

Your paying for convenience, I fought they overcharged . I usually always use them less crowded and they do all the sealing up and whatever else you need

Don’t see where it’s a convenient to use Pack & Ship.... I have used them for the last time. A mark up yes.... but not 40%

They have also told me that USPS would be the same price regarding my package. I also thought $17.00 was high to mail my package with them. I walked out then went across the street to a USPS official branch and saved $9.00.

I will never ship from Pack n Ship.

Never really paid attention to the cost of what I was shipping. They are very convenient, always had great service and will continue to utilize their business.

I would think it would have been more productive to call the Pack N Ship and asked them about the huge discrepancy between the two prices. If you had not gotten a good reply, then jumping onto the forum would seem fair.

I personally thought the upcharge for using them instead of the post office was just a couple of dollars. Having used them for almost 20 years now, I have found that there is a discrepancy in pricing depending on which person is helping you. Usually I get two quotes (one to find out the price to ship an item, and then when I actually ship the item, usually only hours apart), but one time I ended up contacting 3 different people for the same item, and got 3 different prices. I have always chalked it up to poor training, rather than a rip-off. When I visited them this last week, the faces were new, so you could very well have been dealing with a person who could have used some help. Anyhow, I’d definitely call and complain.

I called pack & ship after I got home after comparing prices.... basically told me there not the boss and they don’t set the prices..... that’s the way it is......

Convenience is opening a USPS & UPS account for free.(takes 5 min).. printing your own label and dropping your package off..... no lines no waiting....

Publix cheaper then gas station, Walmart cheaper then Publix.:welcome:

All the pack and ship cost more since they pay more. Why didnt you just go to the post office?

Thats the idea! Its a business! Most businesses make a profit!!

Must pay the overhead.

They are there for convenience. Yes it does cost more to use their service but they have to change for it because they have rent to pay, overhead expenses, and payroll to meet. You didn’t get ripped off you payed for their service. You could have driven over to the post office off of 442/27, stood in line for 20/30 minutes but you chose a more convenient method and you paid for that convenience.

The UPS Store charges published UPS rates. No markup. I owned UPS Stores for 30 years. They receive a discount and must charge published rates. FYI

You need a hug. Much ado about little.

Good response not everything is cheap , make your choice convenience or price.

Always best to use the name brand....The Post Office is the cheapest and the fastest when shipping.

Pack and ship price gougers
 

[yesterday I stood in line about 15 minutes to ship a gift box weighing less than 7lbs to
our grandchild in Oahu, HI.
$120.00!!!!! I asked why so much and was told because it’s going to Hawaii. Are you serious?!
So we took it home, put it on the shelf and shopped Amazon.
Free shipping plus 5 bucks for gift package and card.


QUOTE=rnbpoutney;1868149]Just got back from Pack & Ship store on Bichara Blvd.. mailing a 3 lb package to Winter Haven size was 14x4x4”. Clerk at Pack n Ship said best price was USPS for $15.95. And UPS was $17.44. Then said would do the UPS for the same price.... thought I was getting a deal...
went home and decided that was a lot of money for mailing to Winter Haven... looked up the price for USPS ....the price was $8.70 and the UPS was $10.73... Also UPS will pick up at your door....... I don’t mind anyone making a buck but that was a ripoff...... last time I ever use the Pack & Ship places in the Villages.....[/QUOTE]

If you want to talk about rip offs, try shopping at Publix. I compared their prices to win Dixie and Walmart neighborhood and was shocked. I’m not talking about a few cents, I’m talking dollars on each item. I go for the deli because it’s better but I’m not paying 25% more for regular standard food. The moral of the story, if you don’t like the price, shop somewhere else

I get my hair cut at a barbershop and never get clipped at pack and ship.

It's called "Support your local businesses". Yes, they are more expensive, but after using them for 9 years., I never had a problem with a package being delivered, and they are convenient. Remember, the bigger the box, the more expensive to ship. It's not only weight, so use the smallest box you can to ship.

"I never made a mistake in my live. I thought I did once, but I was wrong".

😂😂😂

I guess it depends on how much your time is worth. The people who own the Pack and Ship do a wonderful job. All the above comments are interesting. Good thing is, we live in a free country and you can pick where you go. Weigh your options, stay informed and do what’s best for yourself.

They wanted to charge $290 to mail a tube via DHL to China. Mailed it myself for $120 via DHL thru Walgreens. I don't mind a profit, but really?

I want my package to be secure,arrive safe in one piece. Pack and Ship accomplished that every time for over 12years.
They always give me options on the shipping, US POST, Fed Ex one day one week etc... cost depends on choice. Sure I can pack it myself and just label and go mail.Or I can be assured a treasure will be handled with professional care. Very pleased with the staff at Pack and Ship in Palm Plaza off of 466.

Exactly! Needed a letter mailed with tracking and I went to PacknShip. The lady that served me informed me that I could save myself $4-5 if went to the USPS office. I figured it would cost me close to that just in gas. Thanked her for the info and had her process my letter.

Ohiobuckeye
 

I guess that’s why some people use Pack N Ship they don’t know the difference or it’s convenient for them. Makes you wonder how Pack N Ship stays in business!

Rates are set by local owners. Anything in the villages pays 30% extra because of the rent they pay to the Morse family. That’s UPS FedEx etc

The only way to get around that is to go to a corporate location. Like most good convenient things that’s far away.

It’s because they pay high rent to the Morse family so they mark up their rates. They own the commercial property ! It’s the privilege of living with the Morse’s