Consumer Reports: What you need to know about holiday shipping

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The US Postal Service expects to deliver up to 470 million packages before Christmas, with FedEx and UPS also expecting record deliveries this year.

Consumer reports asked 1,000 people about their shipping gripes and has tips to help your boxes reach their destinations.

At his packaging store, Don Migliardi hears plenty of worries about holiday shipping from his customers.

"Generally, the biggest complaint we have is the condition of a box when it arrives," he said.

Packaging that showed up damaged was a problem for half of those in the Consumer Reports' survey. But the most common complaint? High shipping fees.

To find the best deal, shopping expert Tod Marks checked out rates for all three carriers.

"We compared the basic price to ship a three-pound package like this from our New York headquarters to Plano, Texas," he said. "We shipped it three ways - standard overnight, second day, and ground shipment."

USPS was the least expensive every time. For example, its rate for second-day delivery was about $12. The FedEx and UPS rates were more than $60.

Another gripe was valuable packages being left outside the door. That happened to more than half of those surveyed. And about four in 10 have had a package go missing.

"If you're shipping valuable items, you might want to consider insurance," he said. "With UPS and FedEx, you're automatically covered for up to $100."

USPS automatically insures most Priority Mail Express shipments for up to $100, as well.

"But you can always buy additional insurance if your item is really expensive," Marks said.

And a final complaint: 55 percent said a package wasn't delivered when promised. Migliardi gives his customers some simple advice.

"If you want to get it there on time and not pay a lot of money, ship early," he said.

Whatever you do, make sure you send your packages early enough so they get there before Christmas. If you're shipping UPS ground, you need to ship by December 15.

The deadline to ship FedEx ground is December 17, and the deadline for the Post Office first class is December 20.

Of course, there are other options -- but they are more expensive.