Registered mail
JWBlue
Posts: 489 ✭✭✭
Does the cost of registered mail include the requirement that the person receiving the package sign for it or is it an additional cost?
I asked a USPS employee this question but don't really trust any customer service let alone USPS.
I wanted an answer from someone that has used the service.
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Pretty sure it’s included in the cost...and I have never received a registered package without having to sign also...that’s all I got
To pick up/receive a registered parcel/letter, the recipient must sign for it.
What I don't recall is if that signature is online now or not....that may be what you may have to pay extra for if that is what you want.
If you just want to make sure someone signs for it (doesn't have to be the named recipient unless you do it restricted), then just by the virtue of using registered mail whoever receives it will have to sign for it....
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I delivered mail for 34 years and can assure you that it does require a signature. If you want a physical signature rather than electronic have a green card ( form 3811) attached. There is a small additional fee for it. I’ve felt that the $2.75 extra fee was worth it for the signature on the green card.
I have received many Registered packages where my carrier just left the package on my back steps. No one in the household signed for it.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
Registered mail should be signed for by a postal employee (handler, sorting, delivery) every step of the way, and then the recipient.
If someone left highly insured items via registered mail and they left it on my porch, it might accidentally go missing..
If it is truly Registered mail (from the U.S.) someone must sign for it. If it is scanned upon delivery it requires a signature to complete the process. If your carrier is signing for you and leaving it that is a firable offense. I’d report it to the local postmaster and the Postal Inspection Service.
My CAC package arrived yesterday and a signature was required for acceptance. There has been a time where no one was at the house and I had to go to the P.O. and sign for it.
I am fairly certain that the price for the service includes all necessary actions.
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Thank you.
I am sweating bullets here. I have never sent anything expensive and decided not to buy insurance on a very expensive item sending it Registered Mail. I regret not buying insurance.
I guess my thinking was with the chance of the chance of the package being lost or stolen were slim to none so buying insurance didn't statistically make sense. However I am old enough to know that in life improbable things seem to happen and I can't really afford to have this item lost.
I sold this item on eBay. I also made the mistake of not having the buyer sign for it. Otherwise ANYONE can sign for it and the buyer can still claim it was not delivered to him.
Lesson learned.
If there is an issue Is there any way to view proof of the item being signed for?
Restricted delivery to be signed for only by the addressee is not included, but is an extra charge. RM is supposed to require a signature, but anyone at the address can sign for it and they're supposed to be asked for and show an ID. I've always believed that that is a downside of RM.
They can either bring it up online or produce the salmon-colored card that was supposed to be signed. FWIW my carrier says that the disposition of ALL packages requiring a signature must be reconciled when he returns from his rounds.
My understanding of Registered (@Tomthemailcarrier can confirm/refute) is that when you declare the package value (which you do when you fill out the registered form) the insurance is included in the fee. I certainly see the difference between a $1000 vs. $10000 package cost. As long as you were accurate in your description, it should be fine.
Registered mail is highly tracked and every stop includes someone personally liable and a signature. USPS takes it very seriously. I had one package sit for 3+ months and when I filed a formal complaint it suddenly started moving again (I suspect, as it involved APO mail, that the person responsible was transferred and it sat in a safe until the new guy was forced to take responsibility...it had a teddy bear in it and was highly valued, just not monetarily
).
Not only that, I am flabbergasted that @ajaan has them left without his signature. All he would have to do is say 'it never got here' and the carrier would be hung out to dry. Ajaan of course would never do that, but his carrier must trust him an awful lot! Someone is always accountable for the packages.
It's also slow, so don't get too worried.
Next time he leaves a Registered package without someone in the house signing for it, I'll check it out to see who signed it, if anyone. I have a package coming from NGC, so we'll see.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
Sig is required but it does not satisfy PP or Ebay seller protection because it is not available on-line. To get the sig available on line, the best and cheapest way ($1.45) is to request (no form needed) "electronic return receipt" while at the counter. Note that insurance is now included in the cost of postage and it is for the amount declared on the Form 3806 which must accompany all purchases for registered mail. Proof of actual value is still required for any registered claim.
I find registered cheaper (but slower) on any shipment over $700 that is insured.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Registered mail does have tracking though so can it not be valid for PP or eBay protection?
Ah, for PP/eBay, things are a bit different. You will still be made whole by the USPS if it was lost BUT if the recipient is a scammer and actually gets the package and files a claim via PP/eBay, then you will have to do some kind of legal action. Registered itself is fine. To make things less stressful the added, and otherwise redundant, online signature would be important to avoid that possibility.
Registered price included insurance for declared value on the Form 3806, save your receipt. Buyer will have to sign for it but unless you purchased additional signature receipt you will not be able to view the signature and since ebay and PP can also not view it, it will void your seller protection. However, your buyer does not know this and when he signs for it he will assume you have the necessary proof to beat him in a claim.
The standard signature USPS gets with registered mail is their own in-house way of establishing delivery in the event a claim for non-delivery is filed. I always purchase the additional "electronic return receipt" for $1.45 when sending registered. It does not require a form at time of purchase and it satisfies PP and ebay signature requirements. It ends up as an on-line PDF file that anyone can view using the tracking number.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Note that PP and ebay seller protection does not require actual buyer's signature. Proof of delivery (signature) to the PP registered address is all that they require.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I believe USPS now has access to GPS coordinates on all remote scanning actions.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I have sent hundreds of registered shipments and the only problem I ever had was one that recently got stuck in a branch en route. I filed a missing mail claim and USPS promptly found it and delivered it. They did not however get a signature upon delivery. Fortunately my buyer left positive feedback showing he received it. The only problem is that USPS continues to send me emails that they are still looking for it. I keep notifying them that it did get delivered, they just didn't get the final signature to complete the process. Guess I'll just have to wait for postal inspector to contact me.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I suppose that if you pushed a non-delivery issue that they would show you proof it got delivered. Doubt that it would help in a PP/Ebay claim since it's not available on-line for them to confirm delivery as required by your seller protection agreement.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
USPS and UPS have had GPS equipment since the late 60s. For decades drivers have been traced and scans sent immediately. Our DIADs will show our bosses where we are, what we were doing; and sends the signatures through UPS MyChoice. Text messaging through the DIADs was around almost 20 years before cell phone texting.
It is my understanding that PP and eBay do not require signature as proof of delivery and only require tracking.
Does anyone have a link to eBay and PP terms regarding proof of delivery?
You obviously know the situation better than any of us, but if you know your carrier real well, he/she may think they are doing you a favor. If it were me and I knew the carrier I might speak to them first rather than dropping a dime on them. I would not want to make enemies with the mail carrier unnecessarily. Your non-RM packages might start to go missing....
I have a great relationship with the mail person where I have a PO Box. She knows not to fold my mail to fit it in the box. That is HUGE for me as a lot of my oversized stuff is collectable and easily damaged if folded. A box of chocolates at Christmas doesn't hurt either.
They both require signature over certain dollar amounts.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
This. Only I gave her booze this year. She gives my dog cookies (and will even sneak the screen door open if that's all that's closed...spoiled dog).
Some, but not all carriers have GPS equipped scanners. They can tell exactly where the carrier was when the package was signed for.
I don't think that's even legal
One other note - I have gotten a number of foreign registered letters that were not signed for. In a lot of countries registered mail is pretty cheap and easy to use. so they add it to a lot of stuff that we would never use it for. Sometimes it is just a scrawled R and a number - not very official looking and the USPS occasionally misses it.
That is entirely correct. I didn’t mention foreign Registered in my response since I’m not sure how prevalent they are now. Years ago, they’d even send postcards that way from Central & South America.
Not sure legal is the right descriptor.
In a lot of third world countries registered is about the only way to get a letter or package out of the country because of theft.
EBay/PayPal require a viewable signature on line to confirm delivery for any item over $750.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I have sent and received items of significant value via Registered Mail... I always paid for signature confirmation and have never had a problem... slow? Yes! but very secure. Cheers, RickO
Came back from out of town. This was placed between my back door and storm door.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
I just looked it online at USPS and it says delivered at 9:11 a.m. and left with individual.
You are Not getting the security that you paid for. Leaving a U.S. Registered piece between the doors should NEVER happen. Follow up with your carrier, the postmaster to stop this improper procedure.
I read this sage advice in Cliff Clavin's voice
I have never seen a registered mail label like this one. Appears that some retailers are authorized by USPS to generate their own registered labels. I thought this could only be done at the USPS counter. Note in the pic that the brown paper tape does not have the postal stamp covering its edges to help indicate tampering with the package. Also note the difference in the tracking number - A counter purchased tracking number is shorter and ends in "US."
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I don't really think that is a registered package.
It sure is...brown tape covering all the seams, printing on label that identifies it as such and a Registered tracking number that I verified online.
Registered mail is the most secure way to ship anything inside the U.S. that I have found so far. It is also the cheapest. Registered must have a signature handoff at each junction including when delivered so tracking is not problematic. I have sent numerous packages thru a variety of media and I have had them lost, damaged, and not delivered but not once as registered. It does take a day or 2 longer to arrive but I know its for sure going to arrive. That being said, whats better " to satisfy Ebay or to get reimbursed for lost, missing, damaged goods. " With Ebay, it doesn't really matter whether the package was insured or not, Its going to be a real hassle to get anything in return if the customer claims it didn't arrive or arrived damaged. To get a claim satisfied by the USPS, you have to prove the value and it was in the package. I keep the receipt out of the package and open until I get to the Post Office. At the counter, I take a phone pic of the item with the sales receipt going into the package and the post person receiving the package. I don't know if this will satisfy the Post Office claims requirements as I've never had a package lost or misplaced since I've been doing this.
Bob Sr CEO Fieldtechs
Label says USPS Registered Mail. I don't think NGC would try to screw with the USPS.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
It looks like Registered Priority (an option my local folks always mention in the list of options).
If you like your carrier I would ask him/her not to do that anymore. Escalating might get the fired. Or counseled and then angry at you.
Wow...smh here.
Regarding the package. I thought all registered mail has "RE" as the first 2 characters in the tracking number. Mine did.
That isn't a Registered mail number. Registered starts with an "R" followed by another letter and nine digits and ending in "US." Looks like a private label to me.
Registered mail takes one of two forms, either first class or priority. If it's under 13 oz. it qualifies for the cheaper first class rate. Otherwise it has to go priority. Both forms travel at the same speed because of the security measures required for registered. Always request the cheaper "first class registered" at the counter. If the weight pushes it over the limit they will tell you it has to go at the costlier, priority rate. With registered mail, "priority" has no affect on how fast it gets to its destination.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
That does make sense.
There must be an 'express' version too (or at least there was a few years ago). One of the first several times I took something in after I moving to this area the price was MUCH higher and it turns out she had assumed (???) I was sending cremated remains (???)...and that 'had to go registered express'. As I had just picked up my dog's ashes at the vet I was a little sad, but assured her it was 'merchandise' and not my dog or grandmother.
IIRC the 'regular' vs 'priority' cost is generally the same and I wouldn't pay more for priority as the anticipated speed is irrelevant (slow is slow).
Went to the Post Office today to mail out a couple packages. I asked the clerk about the number on the label. He said it you purchase online the Registered Mail number will look like a regular tracking number. If you get it at the PO you'll see the R and US number.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
While you have to prove the value during a claim I don't believe you have to prove the item was actually in the sealed package. Most clerks won't accept your shipment until it is sealed, addressed and ready for them to process. At my post office they send you off to the side and tell you to come back when you are ready. After all, they have other people waiting in line who are ready.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
the tracking satisfies EB/PP only for items under $750. Higher value requires the additional signature that can be viewed on-line by EB/PP. The best way to buy this service for registered mail is at the counter, without an additional signature confirmation form, by requesting "electronic return receipt." Cheaper and provides an on-line PDF view of the signature for anyone who has the tracking number. Satisfies seller protection requirements.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Every Registered mail package I have sent or received has tracking number starting with RE then 9 numbers, and ending US. The tracking number on your package reads like what I normally see on a priority package. Just wondering if a postal expert might know why.