What's everyone's opinion on priority mail?

lawnmowerman

I won an auction for a single ungraded card. I paid $8.30 for priority mail. I know it is a crazy amount but the card is "rare" and I really need it

My question is, if you pay for priority mail, do you expect it to be shipped the day after the auction ends?

I do.

If its not shipped the next day, it just doesnt seem right to me. I'm paying the extra money to get the card quicker, not for the seller to procrastinate on shipping just because its priority mail.

Thoughts?

drewsef

your right, it kinda defeats the whole purpose doesn't it. now, to the card, what Emmitt was it?

Stone193

Matt

Priority mail is only priority WHEN it gets to the PO - was the seller guaranteeing they would ship next day?

You'll still get the card faster - regardless if they procrastinate or not?

I wish you luck - did ya contact the seller and request they get it out right away?

Tell them it's life or death - that you have a cardboard deficient diet and you need this to live?

All my best
mike

tennesseebanker

Matt, What do you expect from a guy who charges you twice the going rate for Priority Mail.
This idiotion is going to get double the money and give you half the service.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>your right, it kinda defeats the whole purpose doesn't it. now, to the card, what Emmitt was it? >>



They say only 25 made. You know how that goes sometimes

Stone193

Superb card Matt!

How many auto cards do you now have?

It may be the best on the planet!

mike

lawnmowerman

I'm not panicing or anything. I'm just anxious. Bryan and I are doing a bulk sub and I was holding off for this card.

The situation just raised the question in my mind and I thought it may be a good dicussion.

tennesseebanker

I still dont know why the guy charged you $8.30 ?

I could almost send you Emmitt in person for that.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>Superb card Matt!

How many auto cards do you now have?

It may be the best on the planet!

mike >>



Mike probably about 25 to 30.

This one is sweet though

I hope it looks this good when I get it.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>I still dont know why the guy charged you $8.30 ?

I could almost send you Emmitt in person for that. >>



....and ins was extra

I didnt take the ins. I figured if I had problems, it pays to Discover

Stone193

<< <i>I still dont know why the guy charged you $8.30 ?

I could almost send you Emmitt in person for that. >>

drewsef

very nice auto and cool card too

goose3

Priority mail MIGHT be the single largest Farce that our USPS has running.

Priority mail runs in the same channels as First Class and MIGHT be one day quicker at times, Might.

Even my local USPS clerks admit it's a ripoff.

The reason that sellers on ebay like to use it is because they can get free shipping supplies while still charging YOU for them.


I got into an argument with one of the newer clerks the other day when I went to mail a package REGISTERED and INSURED. It weighed just a couple of ounces over the first class limit so I had to pay for Priority Mail. I could not get it through her head that I was paying for a service that I was not receiving because my package would take nearly a week to get to it's destination due to being Registered. They hype Priority as 2-3 days and try and draw people in with that. What they don't tell you is that once your item hits a certain weight, it is no longer optional.

yawie99

For single cards and other smaller-sized items, Priority Mail is a waste of money. That said, I think the real issue here is that these iSoldIt franchises totally gouge on shipping. I have to really, really need something or be getting a potentially great deal to bid on their auctions.

Their consignment rates are even more obscene. I walked into one once to view an item that they listed - it might not have been an iSoldIt but it was a similar operation - and couldn't believe the rates they had posted. C'mon, folks, it's not that hard to list an item on eBay.

grote15

For some reason I'm not sure why, the priority packages that come in the actual priority mail boxes from the USPS arrive much faster than plain priority mail packages. Does anyone who works for the USPS know why this appears to be true?

XanaduNow

Matt,

Did you specify that you wanted it shipped in a priority box and not one of those paper envelopes? Sounds stupid, but ....

Arthur

jimq112

Priority mail is a good deal.

They give you the boxes, the tape and the labels free.
You can stick 69.9 pounds in a flat rate box for $8 and ship it anywhere usa.
You can call or email the post office and they will pick it up at your house FREE with the next scheduled delivery. Yes I said FREE! If you sell cards on ebay, and get paid with paypal, and email usps.com that you have priority to pick up we pick it up free. No trip to the post office.


Priority parcels are treated differently now. They come to me in different colored bags that are opened and distributed after express and before parcel post. They are attempted or delivered the day they arrive. Parcel post and media mail can be delayed (curtailed) as needed. Priority goes today.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>Matt,

Did you specify that you wanted it shipped in a priority box and not one of those paper envelopes? Sounds stupid, but ....

Arthur >>


No, I sure didnt Athur. I just paid and that was it. I didnt do any special instructions or anything.

NHLfightguy

USPS is still the best deal on the planet.

WinPitcher

I charge 3.00 for an auction win, if my customer wins another two auctions I ship priority. My max is 5.00 for 3 or more wins so I use the 5.00 they gave me to ship with priority. (Even though they are paying for 1st class) I get the boxes free, the tape, etc. I don't go to the P.O (I send my son)

I have sent both ways and at times priority costs only a few cents more.

It is the best service that they have IMO.

Steve

edit to add:

Sorry matt i did not answer your question. Yes it should be sent within the next 24 hr.s unless of course the seller stated otherwise in the auction. ie, I ship only on saturdays.

WinPitcher

stick 69.9 pounds in a flat rate box for $8


Jim did u mean 6.9?

steve

XanaduNow

<< <i>

<< <i>Matt,

Did you specify that you wanted it shipped in a priority box and not one of those paper envelopes? Sounds stupid, but ....

Arthur >>


No, I sure didnt Athur. I just paid and that was it. I didnt do any special instructions or anything. >>




Ohhhhhh man, you're screwed. There's probably a gaggle of geese munching on your poor Emmitt as we speak. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

Buck up camper, there'll be other Emmitts.

Arthur

julen23

ups is purty sweet if your local store has the paperless forms. everything is done by them after you give them the send to addy, [assuming they have you have been there b4, they should have your info there already] and they do the work and you sign once verifying accuracy. when you get home you have e-mail w/ info of order, send that to buyer and you're a genius.

or i could b wrong

julen

grote15

stick 69.9 pounds in a flat rate box for $8


Jim did u mean 6.9?

steve

69.9 is correct. You can ship packages via USPS up to 70 lbs. max and in a "flat rate" priority box, the cost is fixed regardless of weight.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Matt,

Did you specify that you wanted it shipped in a priority box and not one of those paper envelopes? Sounds stupid, but ....

Arthur >>


No, I sure didnt Athur. I just paid and that was it. I didnt do any special instructions or anything. >>




Ohhhhhh man, you're screwed. There's probably a gaggle of geese munching on your poor Emmitt as we speak. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

Buck up camper, there'll be other Emmitts.

Arthur >>

If they enjoy eating it as much as I would enjoy looking at it, I can live with that

WinPitcher

I was gonna tell a midget joke but thought better of it.


Steve

edited to add

the PO was on top of that as they made sure it had to be 'flat'?

Steve

lawnmowerman

<< <i>I was gonna tell a midget joke but thought better of it.


Steve

edited to add

the PO was on top of that as they made sure it had to be 'flat'?

Steve >>



If it involved a midget with a red afro, pandrews might take offense

BobaFett72

I sent 1000 nickels to Washinton State, via flat rate priority box.
I saved a TON of money on shipping; flat rate rules!

lawnmowerman

<< <i>I sent 1000 nickels to Washinton State, via flat rate priority box.
I saved a TON of money on shipping; flat rate rules! >>



I bet the mailman was'nt too happy

jmbkb4

<< <i>I won an auction for a single ungraded card. I paid $8.30 for priority mail. I know it is a crazy amount but the card is "rare" and I really need it

My question is, if you pay for priority mail, do you expect it to be shipped the day after the auction ends?

I do.

If its not shipped the next day, it just doesnt seem right to me. I'm paying the extra money to get the card quicker, not for the seller to procrastinate on shipping just because its priority mail.

Thoughts? >>



Philosophically speaking, if your card is shipped USPS "Priority Mail" within 5-7 days, you got exactly what you paid for.....

jmbkb4

<< <i>I'm not panicing or anything. I'm just anxious. Bryan and I are doing a bulk sub and I was holding off for this card.

The situation just raised the question in my mind and I thought it may be a good dicussion. >>



From the pic --- are you hoping for PSA 8???

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>I'm not panicing or anything. I'm just anxious. Bryan and I are doing a bulk sub and I was holding off for this card.

The situation just raised the question in my mind and I thought it may be a good dicussion. >>



From the pic --- are you hoping for PSA 8??? >>



What are you seeing that I am not?

jmbkb4

hell-a chipping along the convex borders, L > R

lawnmowerman

<< <i>hell-a chipping along the convex borders, L > R >>

Thats not chipping. The card has foil edges and you are seeing "glares" from the scan.

cardbender

<< <i>Priority mail MIGHT be the single largest Farce that our USPS has running.

Priority mail runs in the same channels as First Class and MIGHT be one day quicker at times, Might.

Even my local USPS clerks admit it's a ripoff.

The reason that sellers on ebay like to use it is because they can get free shipping supplies while still charging YOU for them.


I got into an argument with one of the newer clerks the other day when I went to mail a package REGISTERED and INSURED. It weighed just a couple of ounces over the first class limit so I had to pay for Priority Mail. I could not get it through her head that I was paying for a service that I was not receiving because my package would take nearly a week to get to it's destination due to being Registered. They hype Priority as 2-3 days and try and draw people in with that. What they don't tell you is that once your item hits a certain weight, it is no longer optional. >>




I completely agree with Goose here. It's a money making scheme for the post office. First class mail works fine in most instances. Paying extra for Priority shipping is a scam. Sellers that charge double the priority rate should be avoided too. The boxes and labels are free.

Typically I believe sellers should ship their products at nearly the same speed it took the payment to get to them. In other words, if someone pays me in two days after the listed ended, then I would try to mail it out in two days also. That's being fair.

If a buyer takes 3 weeks to make a payment (either by the postmark on the envelope or via paypal), then that buyer should expect the same turnaround times on their package. Seems reasonable to me.

jimq112

<< <i>I was gonna tell a midget joke but thought better of it.




the PO was on top of that as they made sure it had to be 'flat'?

Steve >>



The biggest box offered for the $8.10 special is 8.5 x 11 x 5.5", we have a guy who ships reloads and every box he sells is 68 pounds. I get about 20 of them a week

basestealer

I think we all expect that a company (or individual as the case may be) will ship without delay when we pay extra for express or priority shipping. However, I ordered a bunch of stuff from a wholesaler (this has happened a few times), paid for overnight shipping, and was informed 3 days later that they were back ordered. Finally, inventory arrived a month later, and they shipped it overnight, which I paid for. I felt ripped off and laughed at the same time. They didn't seem to realize that I wanted the items the next day, I didn't give a crap about how it was shipped--so when the items were backordered for a month the whole point of express shipping was moot.

martyogelvie

When you box reaches 1lb. you have to ship Priority or higher at least that's the case using stamps.com

I keep a monthly running tally of how much $$$ I give USPS and how much $$$ buyers give me specifically for shipping. I want these 2 columns to be as close as possible and usually they are not far off. I charge a flat rate of $2.98 to ship regardless of qty/weight/size and I also give FREE Shipping for all my newsletter subscribers.

Estil

This is all the more reason I go with UPS.

Mickey71

Priority mail is much quicker on the west coast for me than first class. It takes 7 days from psa to WASH. state. With priority it takes 3-4. A big difference for me. I'm talking about both being registered packages.

baseballfanatic

Like yawie99 stated, I think this has more to do with the gouging and BS that comes from the Isoldit franchises than the post office.........

lawnmowerman

<< <i>Like yawie99 stated, I think this has more to do with the gouging and BS that comes from the Isoldit franchises than the post office......... >>



I agree. My intent with this thread was really to see what others expect when they pay for priority shipping.

I expect the item to be shipped the day after the auction ends. If its not, then whats the point?

I just wanted hear evryone's opinion as well.

Jdurg

<< <i>

<< <i>Like yawie99 stated, I think this has more to do with the gouging and BS that comes from the Isoldit franchises than the post office......... >>



I agree. My intent with this thread was really to see what others expect when they pay for priority shipping.

I expect the item to be shipped the day after the auction ends. If its not, then whats the point?

I just wanted hear evryone's opinion as well. >>



I agree. The one thing I HATE about ordering stuff online is having to wait for the damned thing to arrive. When I win an auction, I'll make my PayPal payment IMMEDIATELY. Unless of course I'm bidding on multiple auctions that are a few days apart. Then, I'll at least e-mail the seller and let him/her know that I'm waiting for the other auction to end so that both items can be shipped at once if I win 'em. Anyway, I always pay immediately and would hope that the seller would ship the items out the next day.

I also understand that people can be busy, so as long as they at least e-mail me and say "I can't get to the post office until Saturday, sorry about that." I'll be fine with it. Still, once the item has shipped I expect to have it in my hands within 7 days. I have never had a domestic item take longer than 5 days to get to me.

Tedw9

I try to use Priority Mail with DC every time I sell an item. I've had nothing but good luck with the USPS and Priority Mail. The free boxes and tape helps alot, saves me alot of time and the pain of trying to find a box.

As far as when I expect something to ship, no matter if I pay for Priority or regular shipping, I expect it shipped within 2-3 days. I know that we all have a life, and life happens, so as long as it is out the door within a few days, its all good. And in my auctions I always state it will take a couple of days before I can get stuff out. I don't package items up until after the auction ends and I get paid. So if anyone wants an extra scan or pic, I can get it to them.

lawnmowerman

The card arrived via priority mail today, just a few minutes ago. It only took 12 days from Mass to Fl

I see why they charged me $8.30 for the shipping. It was sent in a shoe box??? It was however one of the best packing jobs ever.

The card looks excellent!Way better in person than the scan shows it.

Slow shipping aside, I will be leaving a + for the excellent packing and great card.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>When you box reaches 1lb. you have to ship Priority or higher at least that's the case using stamps.com. >>



It's actually less than that. I use stamps.com also, and at 14oz, the first class option disappears. No problem though - anything close to that goes Priority Mail anyway so I can use the small boxes that the USPS provides for free. It may cost a few cents more, but with only a few exceptions, the parcels always get there in a timely manner. Not to mention, delivery confirmation is only a few cents versus .45 (approx) on first class.

jimq112

<< <i>For some reason I'm not sure why, the priority packages that come in the actual priority mail boxes from the USPS arrive much faster than plain priority mail packages. Does anyone who works for the USPS know why this appears to be true? >>



The white boxes are much much more obviously priority than a brown box with a priority sticker or with a priority postage label. If you ship priority then sticker and wrap the heck out of it with priority tape.

WinPitcher

. It was sent in a shoe box???


Matt

when you say 'shoebox' you mean the USPS priorty box that says 'shoebox on it? or a traditional shoe box?

Steve

lawnmowerman

<< <i>. It was sent in a shoe box???


Matt

when you say 'shoebox' you mean the USPS priorty box that says 'shoebox on it? or a traditional shoe box?

Steve >>

Steve

It was a USPS priority box the size of a shoebox

The card was wrapped in bubble wrap twice and the box was filled with packing peanuts.

I didnt mind the $8.00 bucks shipping once I saw the care they took when they packed it.

I just chalk it up to a seller that really doesnt sell much cards.

The shipping was drug out by the seller being that it took so long. That would be the only negative with this transaction.

WinPitcher

matt

K, I asked cuz i have used them too.


Not only is it the size of a shoebox it even says it on the box itself.


So since it arrived on day 12 after the auction the seller waited almost 9 days to even ship it.

If I am going to tout and charge 'priority mail' to people I would expect the item to ship no later then 36 hrs. from the time I paid for it.

As a seller that is what i do.


Steve