How much does it cost to retrieve a laptop?
a detailed cost comparison between UPS, Fed-Ex, USPS and Retriever
At Retriever, we understand that companies need to make informed decisions when it comes to managing their assets, particularly when offboarding employees. Retrieving laptops from former employees can be a time-consuming and costly process, especially when considering the various shipping options available.
To help companies better understand the true costs associated with laptop retrieval, we have conducted a detailed cost comparison between popular shipping carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS, and our own specialized laptop retrieval service. By breaking down the costs of materials, labor, and shipping, as well as considering the time and effort required for each step of the process, we aim to provide a clear picture of the financial impact of laptop retrieval.
Our goal is to empower companies with the information they need to make the best decision for their business. Whether you choose to handle laptop retrieval in-house using a shipping carrier or opt for a dedicated service like Retriever, we want you to have a full understanding of the costs involved and the potential benefits of each option.
| Materials and Labor | UPS | Fed-Ex | USPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Laptop Box with Foam Padding | $23.99 | $26.99 | $0.00 |
| Cost of Foam Padding (if using USPS) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $13.50 |
| Cost of Tape | $5.98 | $5.98 | $5.98 |
| Ordering box(es) (Time Value*) [10 min] | $8.33 | $8.33 | $8.33 |
| Receiving box delivery, managing box inventory (Time Value) | $12.50 | $12.50 | $12.50 |
| Creating a Pre-Paid label for Outgoing (Time Value*) [5 min] | $4.17 | $4.17 | $4.17 |
| Creating a Pre-Paid label for Incoming (Time Value*) [5 min] | $4.17 | $4.17 | $4.17 |
| Cost of Postage (Domestic US) Outbound Excluding Insurance | $24.76 | $26.36 | $18.60 |
| Cost of Postage (Domestic US) Inbound Excluding Insurance | $27.16 | $26.36 | $23.65 |
| Communicating with offboarded employee (Time Value*) [10 min] | $8.33 | $8.33 | $8.33 |
| Drop-off to mail outgoing box (Time Value*) [20 min] | $16.67 | $16.67 | $16.67 |
| Employee Reimbursement (Time Value*) [15 min] | $12.50 | $12.50 | $12.50 |
| Total Cost | $148.56 | $152.36 | $128.40 |
Retriever's all-inclusive price is $95 per retrieval for orders between 1 and 49 laptop returns, $85 for orders between 50 and 249 laptop returns and $75 for orders over 249 laptop returns
Notes
1) Labor is calculated using a $50 hourly rate for an IT job according to ZipRecruiter
2) UPS, FedEx, and USPS costs are based on store visits and online pricing
Fun facts!
Retriever customers average a 95%+ laptop return rate compared to an average of 65% for companies that try to retrieve laptops using UPS, FedEx or USPS.
*Return rates are based on surveys and actual historical data
