UPS vs USPS vs FedEx Returns: Which Is Easiest?

When a retailer gives you a choice between UPS, USPS, and FedEx for returns, which should you pick? The answer isn't always obvious. Each carrier has different locations, wait times, and processes.

We've tested returns with all three major carriers and tracked the data. Here's the complete comparison to help you choose the easiest option.

The Quick Answer

Fastest overall: UPS (if you use UPS Store with QR code) Most locations: USPS (post offices everywhere) Best for prepaid labels: FedEx (drop boxes are convenient) Easiest overall: Depends on what's closest to you

But let's dig deeper into the details.

UPS Returns: The Complete Guide

How UPS Returns Work

UPS offers several return methods:

1. UPS Store drop-off (most common)
2. UPS Access Points (at CVS, Michaels, etc.)
3. UPS Customer Centers (larger facilities)
4. UPS Drop Boxes (for prepaid labels)

UPS Store Drop-Off

Time required: 20-45 minutes (including drive time) Wait time: 5-25 minutes (varies by location and time) Packaging needed: Usually no (if using QR code or prepaid label) Printer needed: No (if using QR code)

Pros:

• Widely available (5,000+ locations)
• Usually no packaging needed
• QR codes accepted (no printer)
• Professional service
• Tracking included

Cons:

• Can have long lines (especially peak times)
• Parking can be difficult at some locations
• Busy on weekends and after work
• Some locations are small and cramped

Best times to go:

• Weekday mornings (9-10 AM)
• Mid-afternoon (2-3 PM)
• Tuesday-Thursday (avoid Monday and Friday)

Worst times:

• Saturday mornings (everyone's doing weekend errands)
• Lunch hour (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
• After work (4-6 PM)
• First week of January (holiday returns)

UPS Access Points

Time required: 15-30 minutes Wait time: 2-10 minutes (usually shorter) Packaging needed: Usually yes Printer needed: Usually yes

Pros:

• Often faster than UPS Stores
• Less crowded
• Convenient locations (CVS, Michaels, etc.)
• May be closer to you

Cons:

• Limited hours (depends on host business)
• May not handle all return types
• Staff may be less familiar with returns
• Packaging usually required

UPS Customer Centers

Time required: 25-50 minutes Wait time: 10-30 minutes Packaging needed: Usually yes Printer needed: Usually yes

Pros:

• Can handle large items
• Professional service
• Full-service options

Cons:

• Fewer locations
• Often busier than UPS Stores
• Longer wait times
• Usually requires packaging

UPS Drop Boxes

Time required: 5-10 minutes Wait time: 0 minutes (no line!) Packaging needed: Yes Printer needed: Yes

Pros:

• Fastest option (no waiting)
• 24/7 access
• No human interaction needed

Cons:

• Only works for prepaid labels
• Size limitations
• Must package yourself
• Must print label

USPS Returns: The Complete Guide

How USPS Returns Work

USPS offers several return methods:

1. Post office counter (most common)
2. Blue collection boxes (for prepaid labels)
3. Self-service kiosks (at some locations)
4. Package pickup (for large items)

Post Office Counter

Time required: 35-70 minutes (including drive time) Wait time: 15-45 minutes (often the longest) Packaging needed: Yes Printer needed: Usually yes

Pros:

• Widely available (31,000+ locations)
• Can handle any size
• Professional service
• Tracking included

Cons:

• Longest wait times (this is the big one)
• Often understaffed
• Limited hours (especially weekends)
• Usually requires packaging
• Usually requires printed label
• Can be slow and bureaucratic

Best times to go:

• Weekday afternoons (2-4 PM)
• Mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday)
• Right at opening (9 AM)

Worst times:

• Saturday mornings (extremely busy)
• First of the month (pension/benefit checks)
• Lunch hour
• After work
• Mondays (weekend backlog)

Blue Collection Boxes

Time required: 10-20 minutes Wait time: 0 minutes (no line!) Packaging needed: Yes Printer needed: Yes

Pros:

• Fastest USPS option (no waiting)
• 24/7 access
• No human interaction
• Works for prepaid labels

Cons:

• Only works for prepaid labels
• Size limitations (must fit in box)
• Must package yourself
• Must print label
• Pickup times vary (check schedule)

Self-Service Kiosks

Time required: 20-40 minutes Wait time: 5-15 minutes (for kiosk) Packaging needed: Yes Printer needed: Usually yes

Pros:

• Faster than counter service
• Available 24/7 at some locations
• No human interaction

Cons:

• Limited locations
• Can be confusing to use
• Size limitations
• May not work for all return types

FedEx Returns: The Complete Guide

How FedEx Returns Work

FedEx offers several return methods:

1. FedEx Office drop-off (most common)
2. FedEx Drop Boxes (for prepaid labels)
3. FedEx Ship Centers (larger facilities)
4. FedEx Authorized Ship Centers (at other businesses)

FedEx Office Drop-Off

Time required: 20-40 minutes (including drive time) Wait time: 5-20 minutes Packaging needed: Usually no (if prepaid) Printer needed: Usually no (if using QR code or prepaid)

Pros:

• Widely available (2,000+ locations)
• Usually no packaging needed (for prepaid)
• QR codes often accepted
• Professional service
• Self-service kiosks at some locations

Cons:

• Can have lines (especially peak times)
• Fewer locations than UPS or USPS
• May require packaging for some returns
• Busy during lunch and after work

Best times to go:

• Weekday mornings (9-10 AM)
• Mid-afternoon (2-3 PM)
• Avoid lunch hour and after work

FedEx Drop Boxes

Time required: 5-10 minutes Wait time: 0 minutes (no line!) Packaging needed: Yes Printer needed: Yes

Pros:

• Fastest FedEx option (no waiting)
• 24/7 access
• No human interaction
• Works for prepaid labels
• Often located at Walgreens, Dollar General, etc.

Cons:

• Only works for prepaid labels
• Size limitations
• Must package yourself
• Must print label

FedEx Ship Centers

Time required: 25-50 minutes Wait time: 10-30 minutes Packaging needed: Usually yes Printer needed: Usually yes

Pros:

• Can handle large items
• Professional service
• Full-service options

Cons:

• Fewer locations
• Often busier
• Longer wait times
• Usually requires packaging

Side-by-Side Comparison

Wait Times (Average)

| Carrier | Best Case | Average | Worst Case | |---------|-----------|---------|------------| | UPS Store | 2 min | 12 min | 30 min | | USPS Counter | 10 min | 25 min | 60 min | | FedEx Office | 3 min | 10 min | 25 min |

Winner: FedEx Office (slightly faster on average)

Location Availability

| Carrier | Number of Locations | Coverage | |---------|---------------------|----------| | USPS | 31,000+ | Everywhere | | UPS | 5,000+ stores, 20,000+ access points | Most areas | | FedEx | 2,000+ offices, 50,000+ drop boxes | Most areas |

Winner: USPS (most locations, but quality varies)

Convenience Factors

| Factor | UPS | USPS | FedEx | |--------|-----|------|-------| | QR codes accepted | Yes | Sometimes | Yes | | No packaging needed | Often | Rarely | Often | | Drop boxes available | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Weekend hours | Limited | Limited | Limited | | Self-service kiosks | Some | Some | Some |

Winner: Tie between UPS and FedEx (both more convenient than USPS)

Cost (for non-prepaid returns)

| Carrier | Typical Cost | Notes | |---------|--------------|-------| | UPS | $8-15 | Depends on weight/size | | USPS | $4-10 | Usually cheapest | | FedEx | $10-18 | Usually most expensive |

Winner: USPS (cheapest, but you pay in time)

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: You Have a Prepaid Label, Live Near All Three

Best choice: Whichever has a drop box closest to you

• UPS drop box: 5-10 minutes, no waiting
• USPS blue box: 5-10 minutes, no waiting
• FedEx drop box: 5-10 minutes, no waiting

Tie: All are equally fast if you use drop boxes

Scenario 2: You Need to Print a Label, Live Near All Three

Best choice: FedEx Office or UPS Store

• Both usually have self-service options
• Both accept QR codes in many cases
• USPS counter is slowest

Winner: FedEx Office or UPS Store (tie)

Scenario 3: You Don't Have Packaging, Live Near All Three

Best choice: UPS Store or FedEx Office

• Both often handle packaging for prepaid returns
• USPS usually requires you to package it yourself

Winner: UPS Store or FedEx Office

Scenario 4: You're in a Rural Area

Best choice: USPS

• Post offices are everywhere, even small towns
• UPS and FedEx may be far away

Winner: USPS (availability)

Scenario 5: You're in a Big City

Best choice: Whichever is closest

• All three have good coverage
• Convenience matters more than carrier

Winner: Closest location wins

Scenario 6: You Value Speed Over Everything

Best choice: FedEx Office (slightly faster on average)

• Or use drop boxes for any carrier (fastest)

Winner: FedEx Office or drop boxes

Scenario 7: You Value Low Cost

Best choice: USPS

• Cheapest shipping rates
• But you pay in time (longer waits)

Winner: USPS (if cost is primary concern)

The Hidden Factors

Time of Day Matters More Than Carrier

The time you go often matters more than which carrier you choose:

• Weekday morning (9-10 AM): All three are relatively fast
• Lunch hour (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM): All three are busy
• After work (4-6 PM): All three are very busy
• Saturday morning: All three are extremely busy
• Weekday afternoon (2-3 PM): All three are relatively quiet

Pro tip: Time your visit strategically, regardless of carrier.

Location Quality Varies

Not all locations are created equal:

• Newer locations: Usually faster, better organized
• Busy locations: Slower, longer lines
• Suburban locations: Often faster than urban
• Mall locations: Can be very busy

Pro tip: Use carrier locators to find less-crowded locations.

Staff Experience Matters

Some locations have more experienced staff:

• UPS Stores: Usually well-trained
• FedEx Office: Usually well-trained
• USPS: Varies widely by location

Pro tip: If you have a bad experience, try a different location.

Pro Tips for Each Carrier

UPS Tips

1. Use UPS Access Points for faster service (CVS, Michaels)
2. Go on weekday mornings for shortest lines
3. Use QR codes when possible (skip printer)
4. Check for self-service kiosks
5. Avoid Saturday mornings

USPS Tips

1. Use blue collection boxes for prepaid labels (skip the line!)
2. Go on weekday afternoons (2-4 PM)
3. Avoid first of the month
4. Avoid Saturday mornings (worst time)
5. Check for self-service kiosks

FedEx Tips

1. Use drop boxes for prepaid labels (fastest)
2. Go on weekday mornings
3. Use self-service kiosks when available
4. Avoid lunch hour and after work
5. Check for QR code options

The Ultimate Solution: Don't Choose

Here's a secret: you don't have to go to any of them.

Return pickup services like Returnful work with all three carriers:

• We come to your door
• We handle packaging
• We print labels
• We drop off at the right carrier location
• You get photo confirmation

Your time: 60 seconds to book Your cost: $15-25 per return Time saved: 20-70 minutes per return

ROI: If your time is worth $20/hour or more, you're saving money.

The Bottom Line

Which carrier is easiest?

• Fastest average wait: FedEx Office
• Most locations: USPS
• Most convenient: UPS Store or FedEx Office
• Cheapest: USPS (but slowest)
• Best overall: Depends on what's closest to you

Key takeaways:

1. Use drop boxes when possible (fastest for all carriers)
2. Time your visit strategically (weekday mornings are best)
3. Use QR codes when available (skip printer)
4. Choose no-packaging options when possible
5. Or skip the trip entirely with pickup services

The "easiest" carrier is the one that's most convenient for your situation. But if you value your time, consider letting someone else handle the drop-off entirely.

Ready to skip the carrier choice entirely? Learn how Returnful works or text us at 469-790-7579.

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Have questions about carrier returns? We're here to help. Text us at 469-790-7579 anytime.