Use delivery confirmation with first class mail? Heads Up!
K6AZ
Posts: 9,295 ✭
Today I got a pink slip to pick something up at the window of the PO. It turned out to be some cards I bought, and there was postage due of $3.12. At first I didn't know what this was about, because the cards cost $6, and shipping was $2. Come to find out on the reverse of the mailer there was a stamp that said "Package not 3/4 inch thick Priority postage due". Speaking with the clerk, I was told that their new procedure is to charge priority postage on first class packages that do not meet the 3/4" requirement. I refused the package and have written to the seller, hopefully they make this right without trying to charge me for shipping again.
If you use delivery confirmation on first class packages, make sure it is 3/4" thick at some point, or your buyer will most likely not be very happy with you.
If you use delivery confirmation on first class packages, make sure it is 3/4" thick at some point, or your buyer will most likely not be very happy with you.
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Comments
This has been in effect for over a year now, or at least being "enforced" since then.
Make me el Benevolent Dictator for 20 years and the Postal Service would "compete" with the rest of the World for business......maybe outsource their jobs to Indians...
USMC Veteran 1981-1992
Cold War Veteran
It's truly funny, no make that truly sad, that people in this day and age are so wrapped up in their own little world that they refuse to try and teach someone else the correct or accepted way of doing things.
Ken
09/07/2006
<< <i>Wouldn't it make more sense to charge the extra 12 cents, which is the surcharge above 37 cents for a 1 oz oversized (non-machineable) first class envelope? >>
Barry, the cards were in a rigid mailer, and there was 73¢ postage on it, which means it weighed between one and two ounces (this was a pack of 50 postcards). This issue here is that to use delivery confirmation on first class packages, the package must be in a box or, if not in a box, the package must be 3/4" thick at some point. I think most clerks catch this when you are trying to mail them, but in this case since it was internet postage, the seller just dropped it in a mailbox. In these cases, they declare that because the item had DC, and it didn't meet the requirements for first class DC, they declared postage due for priority mail.
<< <i>I just mailed a 1st class envelope with delivery confirmation with no issues. It was not even 1/2 thick. >>
Then you better hope the PO doesn't catch it, because if it does, your buyer will get the same surprise I did.
The whole thing is a racket to try to make people use Priority instead of first class.
<< <i>The whole thing is a racket to try to make people use Priority instead of first class. >>
Exactly. And I can buy boxes similar to the Priority boxes, and much better in terms of protection, for about 42¢ each, and still save over $2 instead of using Priority. I've argued endlessly with people about whether or not the Priority boxes are free. They are not free, and very expensive.
By the way, for those who do not know this, if you download and use Shipping Assistant from the USPS, you can print your own delivery labels and get first class DC for 13¢.
09/07/2006
Where do you get your priority sized boxes from? I was thinking of trying to sell a few things and don't want to run into this problem. Of course, rolls of bubble wrap are cheap enough, but I think shipping in a box tends to look more professional.
Cameron Kiefer
<< <i>...or just don't use delivery confirmation, which is a total rip in my opinion... it guarantees nothing, not even delivery to the correct address, only that it was 'scanned' as delivered somewhere. >>
I lost a coin and the battle with the post office on exactly this. The coin I sent was signed for by a person at an address neither one of us knew. My claim was denied because it was signed for. Well, no kidding. the End.
Jerry
<< <i>K6AZ,
Where do you get your priority sized boxes from? I was thinking of trying to sell a few things and don't want to run into this problem. Of course, rolls of bubble wrap are cheap enough, but I think shipping in a box tends to look more professional. >>
Here
So you wouldn't accept the package because of 3 dollars? Don't you think that is kind of silly? I would of just paid the 3 bucks, informed the seller of what happened, left positive feedback, and felt good about helping a fellow seller that hopefully just didn't know any better. Not that big of a deal in my eyes.
Wow, that's not good. Yeah, delivery confirmation just confirms that it was delivered. I used to get packages with signiture confirmation at my old apartment and no one signed it. One package was 5 Double Eagles and it was just sitting in my box. haha. No signiture from anybody. Luck of the Irish noone ever stole anything that got sent to me.
As a seller this at least proves you mailed the package and the Post Office lost it.
09/07/2006
<< <i>Eric,
So you wouldn't accept the package because of 3 dollars? Don't you think that is kind of silly? I would of just paid the 3 bucks, informed the seller of what happened, left positive feedback, and felt good about helping a fellow seller that hopefully just didn't know any better. Not that big of a deal in my eyes. >>
Brandon, if one is going to set up shop as a mail order seller, they should know the postal regulations and rates. I find it very tacky as a buyer to receive something I paid for with postage due. Again, I paid $6 for the cards plus $2 for S&H. Are you saying I should have paid the $3.12, so I would have paid $5.12 shipping for a pack of postcards weighing less than two ounces? I don't think so.
<< <i>...or just don't use delivery confirmation, which is a total rip in my opinion... it guarantees nothing, not even delivery to the correct address, only that it was 'scanned' as delivered somewhere. >>
Prooflike: It protects you if a comfirmed Paypal member attempts to reverse the charges on a non delivery.
peacockcoins
<< <i>
<< <i>...or just don't use delivery confirmation, which is a total rip in my opinion... it guarantees nothing, not even delivery to the correct address, only that it was 'scanned' as delivered somewhere. >>
Prooflike: It protects you if a comfirmed Paypal member attempts to reverse the charges on a non delivery. >>
Exactly. Use DC to protect yourself from PayPal chargebacks, and insurance to protect against loss. If you print your own labels online, first class DC is only 13¢.
<< <i>DC is worthwhile because it lets you track by computer that your item was delivered to the address to which you mailed it. >>
No, it only confirms that it was delivered "somewhere" it does NOT confirm that it was delevered to the address you mailed it to. If fact it only "proves" that it was SCANNED as delivered. I once had a mailman who, in order to save time, simply scanned everything before he set out on his rounds. Didn't bother to carry insured or registered packages either. Just the slips tell you to pick it up at the post office, already made out ahead of time.
<< <i>As a seller this at least proves you mailed the package and the Post Office lost it. >>
And it also allows the post office to deny paying of on any insurance, "because it was delivered".
in a normal envelope (like sending a coin in a safe-t-mailer) they will sometimes
tell you that you can't do it. I always remind them that it exceeds the minimum
thickness and then they agree to ship it.
<< <i>So essentially what you're all saying is that a greedy mail carrier could simply scan your packages and take them home and the buyer is screwed?? >>
Yes. But if he does it too often and there are too many complaints the post office will eventually start investigating the carrier and catch him. Doesn't help you or the buyer though.