cheapest reliable way to ship documents quick

[Sol]

Yes, I searched the archives but didn't find any concrete information.

I have some important documents I want to arrive in Colombia (Bogota) quickly. I called FedEx and DHL. Both provide two day delivery service. FedEx charges $43.94 from Northern California, DHL wants $73.11. I'm shocked at the difference. In any case does someone know another two day service that's reliable and cheaper than FedEx? I've used the USPS Global Priority Mail service. It's cheap but it sucks, taking days and days to arrive.

Thanks,
Sol

[jo12208]

... in response to cheapest reliable way to ship documents ..., posted by Sol on Oct 30, 2001

I mailed papers to Bogota from the midwestlast Tuesday night and they arrived in Bogota early Saturday for $18.50.  I sent the documents by USPS priority mail to Avianca's office in Miami for $3.50 and then Avianca charged me $15.00 to deliver it to the address.  It is only $10 if the customer will pick it up at Avianca's office in Bogota.

I believe Avianca received my package on a Thursday.  So it took two days for the delivery from Miami.  I haved used them a few times and never had any problems.

Telephone in Miami is 800-591-9112

[Hoda]

... in response to cheapest reliable way to ship documents ..., posted by Sol on Oct 30, 2001

I recall some guys using an "Avianca" based service out of Miami, that was cheaper than some of the majors.

Peace.....Hoda

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: cheapest reliable way to ship docume..., posted by Hoda on Oct 31, 2001

Howard,
Avianca will ship a package out of Miami next day for about $12 I think,but first you have to get it to them in Miami,so that would involve a fed ex to Miami if you wanted it there quick.It could get there in 2 days for$24 or so total.Or you could ship postal service to Miami for a total cost of maybe $13 and maybe 4 days or so total time.Because it involved 2 different shipments I have just used UPS for the $43.
The problem with using the US postal service to ship all the way to Colombia is it goes in to Colombian mail when it gets to Colombia.It has taken us 3 weeks for a normal letter and even if you did overnight to Colombia it may only knock a couple days off the 3 weeks.And we call our mail service snail mail.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to cheapest reliable way to ship documents ..., posted by Sol on Oct 30, 2001

Sol,
I use UPS.I don't think its called global Mail,just plain old UPS,any size package you want to send.It costs $43 for an envelope.They say it will get to Cali in 2 days,always takes 3.I have used this service 4 times or so with the same results.It might be quicker to Bogota because it probably goes through there.We are sending another envelope Friday with them.
I made the mistake of putting some money in a UPS envelope one time.Of course they say never send money.The documents showed up(thank God) without the money.After several calls someone at UPS in Bogota told me Colombian customs opens everything.I'm not sure if this was official confiscation or employee(customs) theft.The latter I think.Probably made someones week.It was $500 US.Stupid.

Pete

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: cheapest reliable way to ship docume..., posted by Pete E on Oct 31, 2001

........

[pack]

... in response to $500 equals 1 months pay for many in Col..., posted by Hoda on Oct 31, 2001

yes , and that is someone making a good living. some people in cali live on 4,3 or 2 hundred a month.

[Evan]

... in response to cheapest reliable way to ship documents ..., posted by Sol on Oct 30, 2001

Sol,
Try US Express mail,I use it a few times to send stuff to Lima. It is not as quick as FedEx, but it will get there for sure. I think it runs around $25.00 if I remember right.