When it comes to shipping, we all want the holy grail: fast, cheap, and reliable. Unfortunately, you usually only get two out of three. But here’s the deal—with USPS consolidators like OSM Worldwide, DHL E-Commerce, and even USPS SurePost you may not get same-day delivery, but you can save some serious cash (we’re talking 10-50% vs. going direct with UPS or FedEx).
Let’s break it down and look at how USPS consolidators can help you save money, one parcel at a time!
- Cost Savings That’ll Make You Do a Happy Dance (Up to 50% Off!)
Okay, let’s start with the big one—cost. Shipping can be a budget buster, especially if you’re dealing with the high sticker prices of UPS or FedEx. But here’s where consolidators swoop in like a superhero in sweatpants. They leverage bulk rates and workshare programs with USPS, meaning you could save anywhere from 10-50% on your shipping costs.
Sure, it’s not a “get-it-yesterday” kind of service, but at those savings, are you really in that much of a rush? It’s like getting the generic brand cereal—tastes the same, costs less. Win-win! This is especially true for customers that run a subscription or subscribe ‘n save model.
- What’s the Catch? It’s Slower, But You Get What You Pay For
Now, before you start imagining your packages being delivered by a tortoise, let’s clear one thing up: yes, consolidator shipping can be slower than premium options like UPS Next Day or 2 Day Air. But slow isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, for most non-urgent shipments, USPS consolidators hit the sweet spot of being cost-effective while still arriving in a reasonable time frame. Think of it as a pleasant Sunday drive rather than a freeway sprint.
If your customer isn’t sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for their cat pajamas to arrive yesterday, USPS consolidators are more than up to the job.
- No Hidden Fees—Just Sweet, Sweet Savings
One of the huge perks of using a consolidator is the lack of surprise fees that sometimes pop up when using premium carriers. You’re not dealing with unexpected surcharges for residential deliveries, fuel hikes, or whatever random extra charges someone thought up over lunch. USPS consolidators keep it simple, and in the end, simple often means more dollars back in your pocket. A good example…UPS and FedEx have changed their fuel calculation table over 10x in the last three years to manipulate it and make it more expensive for their customers. Both of these companies are constantly introducing new and bogus fees to help their bottom lines, but hurt their customers.
- Volume Discounts Without Needing a Warehouse Full of Stuff
You don’t need to be the size of Amazon to get bulk shipping rates when you use a consolidator. They handle packages from multiple businesses, bundle them up, and get the bulk rate from USPS. That means you, yes you, can get wholesale prices without needing to ship thousands of packages yourself. It’s like sneaking into the VIP lounge without the $10,000 bottle service. Lessgistics is shipping tens of thousands of packages daily/weekly with consolidators so you’ll just piggy-back and benefit off our volume discounts!
- Save on Infrastructure—No Need to Build Your Own Logistics Empire
When you ship through a consolidator, you don’t have to build out a massive logistics infrastructure to compete with the big boys. You get access to professional-level sorting, routing, and tracking without investing in expensive shipping software or hiring a logistics team. Let them handle the nitty-gritty while you focus on more important things, like focusing on growing your business!
- Better Tracking Without the Premium Price Tag
While consolidators offer slower service, you’re still getting solid tracking features that let you (and your customers) follow the package every step of the way. It’s like paying for coach but getting business class service in terms of visibility. That peace of mind without the extra cost? Priceless.
- Returns Made Easy (And Cheap)
Returns don’t have to be a nightmare or a profit killer. USPS consolidators streamline returns by integrating with your current systems, giving you an affordable way to keep customers happy without breaking the bank. Plus, fewer trips to the post office for those returns = more time for coffee breaks. Everybody wins!
- Sustainability Bonus: More Efficient = More Green
Consolidators typically have greener operations due to more efficient bundling and fewer delivery trips. Not only does this help save the planet, but your eco-conscious customers will appreciate that you’re using a more sustainable option. Fewer trucks, less fuel, lower emissions—it’s a shipping method you can feel better about.
- USPS Consolidators do the Heavy Lifting (Literally)
When you use a USPS consolidator, they handle the pre-sorting and bulk shipping, then hand it off to USPS for the final mile. It’s like having a team of professional movers who take care of all the heavy lifting and then let USPS finish the job. Less work for you, less hassle for USPS, and everyone’s happy.
- Predictability Without the Premium
Let’s be honest, most shipments don’t need to arrive the next day or even two days. There is still somewhat a false need to compete with Amazon Prime, but customer expectations are not that. With USPS consolidators, you get a predictable, affordable shipping solution that keeps costs down without sacrificing reliability. Sure, it might take a little longer, but for the price difference, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.
The Wrap
In 2024, with rising shipping costs and shrinking profit margins, using a USPS consolidator is like finding a shipping cheat code. You may sacrifice a little speed, but the savings (up to 50%!) are more than worth it. So, if your business can afford to slow down just a bit, your wallet will thank you. And who knows? With all the money saved, maybe you can finally afford that espresso machine for the office!
Lessgistics has decades of experience working directly with USPS consolidators. If you would like to learn more information about how much money you could save, please reach out.