what are the differences between shipping with UPS and FedEx.

I was selling online and shipping different items, including very heavy, and here is the golden rule for all of your shipments: everything that is going out in a box, will be cheaper to send via UPS. Everything bulky, heavy and that is going to be shipped in custom package - save your money and ship via FedEx. Now, a couple of examples: Zappos uses UPS, Amazon - UPS for books and for other big items FedEx, a bundle of moving blankets would be shipped by FedEx, but a set of moving boxes - by UPS. Hope it saves you some money:) Here are some tips that will help you to save money when you buy shipping and moving supplies:

• if you buy online, make sure you are buying directly from manufacturer. Many online companies claim that "you are buying directly from factory", but this is not simply true. By bying from an affiliate store you risk to get your supplies delayed or won't be able to return/exchange anything.

• Do not buy $0.99 packing tape, or if you do, then buy a shipping insurance to protect your package::))
• Use bubble wrap for fragile items and buy insurance for expensive fragile items, you will be glad you did. Bubble wrap is expensive, but if you buy in bulk from manufacturer it would be much cheaper (of course if you need it regularly for shipping purposes)
• if you need moving blankets, F.Y.I. they are all imported, there is only 2 domestic companies that manufacturer the blankets in USA. I have been in this business many years, trust me: you don't need to pay more for domestic blankets, they are not any better than imported. The labor is still cheaper in China which explains everything, but again: in this case you don't need to pay extra $$, because you will not get better quality blankets.
• USPS provides with some free mailing supplies, more info on their site
• if you need boxes for local move, ask people on craigslist and talk to the manager of any local Trader Joe's store. They have great boxes that can be used for packing kitchen.