Those in the know say that the days of single-carrier shipping are over. That’s because It’s impossible for one company to provide fast, affordable shipping to every customer while at the same time remaining profitable.
Enter shipping partnerships like FedEx’s SmartPost and UPS’ SurePost, which combine the speed of private carriers with the’ extensiveness of USPS’ delivery network. In this article, we’ll talk about another of these partnerships- OnTrac and USPS’ DirectPost program!
Does OnTrac Deliver Through USPS In [currentyear]?
Regional parcel carrier OnTrac partners with USPS in a program called DirectPost in [currentyear]. Through this program, USPS handles OnTrac’s last-mile deliveries in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, California, and Idaho. This ground service promises delivery in 3 to 5 days, which is 1 to 2 days faster than national carriers like FedEx and UPS.
Read the rest of this article to learn more about OnTrac and USPS’ collaboration, along with other useful related facts!
Which Carrier Does OnTrac Use?
Since 2008, West Coast parcel carrier OnTrac has contracted the postal service to complete its last-mile deliveries.
For the first 5 years, the program was only available to postal consolidators. However, starting in 2014, the program became available to large-volume retailers.
This service, called DirectPost, advertises next-day and 2-day ground shipping at USPS prices in OnTrac’s delivery area*.
OnTrac lives up to its delivery promise by consolidating shipments and injecting them into USPS’ postal stream.
Packages are injected into USPS’ destination delivery units (DDUs), sectional center facilities (SCFs), and network distribution centers (NDCs).
As a final step, USPS carries the parcels the “last-mile” to their final destinations.
*All ZIP codes in California and the metro areas of Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho.
Why Does OnTrac Deliver Through USPS?
To put it simply, the OnTrac/USPS collaboration makes good business sense.
It’s appealing to parcel carriers because of its low cost and because USPS is required by law to deliver to every U.S. address.
This aspect of the postal service’s mission enables parcel companies to deliver to residential customers without having to pay for a driver and a van to make the delivery.
DirectPost is also an attractive option for e-commerce shippers.
These businesses, perhaps more than most, need to offer competitive shipping services in order to stay competitive with customers.
By choosing a program like DirectPost, they can offer customers free shipping without eating into their profits too much.
Does OnTrac Deliver to PO Boxes?
OnTrac does not deliver to PO Boxes, except when it comes to the DirectPost service.
With DirectPost, USPS handles the last-mile delivery, so the company is able to deliver to places where OnTrac can’t (like PO boxes).
What Features Does DirectPost Include?
When you ship through DirectPost, you get the best features from both OnTrac and USPS.
Features of DirectPost include:
- Full end-to-end tracking details on OnTrac’s and USPS’ websites
- No residential delivery fee
- No delivery area surcharge
- Ounce-based pricing
- Up to $100 liability coverage for every shipment
- Coverage to every residential address within OnTrac’s service area (includes PO boxes, APO, FPO, and DPO locations)
How Long Does It Take OnTrac to Deliver Through USPS?
Delivery through DirectPost typically takes 3 to 5 days. While this is about a day longer than OnTrac’s Ground service, it’s a day faster than the delivery times promised by national carriers.
Does DirectPost Have a Delivery Guarantee?
OnTrac’s delivery guarantee promises on-time delivery. If the company fails to meet this objective, it will either credit or refund the transportation charges.
Unfortunately, this guarantee doesn’t apply to DirectPost shipments, presumably because OnTrac is unable to control delays or delivery issues encountered by USPS.
Are There Any Shipping Minimums to Use DirectPost?
DirectPost is part of Ontrac’s Ground service. This service does not have any minimum shipping volumes or delivery commitments.
Does DirectPost Offer Tracking?
Tracking is available on all DirectPost shipments.
Customers can check the status and location of their package on either the OnTrac website or on the USPS website.
To know more, you can also see our posts on FedEx Smartpost USPS, USPS competitors, and difference between UPS & USPS.
Conclusion
OnTrac delivers through USPS as part of its DirectPost program. In this program, OnTrac receives shipments, then injects them into the postal service’s mail stream.
Doing so enables businesses to reach customers more quickly and more affordably. This service doesn’t have any shipping minimums and comes with tracking, insurance coverage, and access to all of USPS’ delivery networks.
