Re: Chicken or Egg Problem: Low rates for volume but can't get volume without low rat
Thanks for the advice. We'll be selling personal care products.
What, specifically, are the personal care products? I ask so I can get a better idea of the weight of the packages.
Will they be sent B2B or B2C?
If the shipments will be light weight (under 2 lbs) and going to residential destinations, you will have to decide if you truly want to pay more for UPS Ground vs. USPS Priority Mail. In almost all cases, UPS Ground will cost more than USPS Priority Mail. If you want guaranteed delivery, full-visibility tracking and an automatic $100 in declared value coverage, UPS Ground is the way to go. If you want the cheapest service that has no guarantees and limited tracking, than USPS Priority Mail is the way to go. Fedex Home Delivery is going to price very close to UPS Ground residential service.
Your only other UPS related option may be Mail Innovations if you have any shipments that are 1-lb or under.
UPS Mail Innovations | Services | Qualified Mail - Flats, Under 1 lb. parcel, bounded printed, and media mail
I'd still recommend going to the following link and either enrolling your current UPS account number in this promotional program or setting up a new account and getting an instant discount. It's the fastest way to get things started and get a discount on all UPS services in the shortest amount of time.
https://www.ups.com/mrd/promodiscou...B_SmallBusinessWebDiscountJan2013_PX_U1_en_us
Down the road a fulfillment center may work for you but just remember that they are taking a part of the UPS discount that would normally be yours if you dealt directly with UPS not to mention whatever they charge you for their services. Why not get started on your own and then when it's clear your product is a success, then you go to the next level.
Best of luck on your new business!