How are eBay sellers handling shipping larger parcels without leaving the house?
seanq
Posts: 8,735 ✭✭✭✭✭
I know postage is available on line, so I can handle everything up to tendering the packages to the USPS. I have a couple of packages to ship that are too large to fit in my mail box, and I don't know that the lobbies of our local PO are even open to the public if I did want to venture out (which I decidedly do not). Are route carriers even allowed to pick up boxes, or must they be tendered at a counter?
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
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You can go to usps.com and arrange for a pickup...or you can randomly catch your USPS driver and hand them the package (hopefully your arms are 6 feet long).
Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.
Carriers can pick up boxes, but there may be size and weight issues if they have a walking route. You may have to arrange for a pickup at your doorstep if they have a driving route and leave the package for them there when you see them coming. One issue you'll have is if you have to ship registered mail. This has to be done from a post office.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I ship a lot of large and small packages.
USPS: I still drop them off, however, sometimes, I will raise the flag on the mailbox, and put a note like "2 packages on porch behind flower pots" and most of them time, the carrier will get out, get the packages, and go on their way.
FedEx: FedEx has a shipping option to pick up at the house, but it is a $5 charge to do so. I always drop them off with FedEx, and have some going today. For example, Saturday, I dropped off a complete 1969 Mustang Rear end Housing, no gears or axles, going FedEx, through ebay Global, heading to Kentucky, then on it's way to the Czech Republic. Today, a pair of 1965 Mustang V8 spindles making a similar route, except ultimately going to Australia.
Trying to do something to bring some money into the United States in these time.
Thank you for the replies. Our carrier drives a Jeep, and the packages are coin albums, so weight should not be an issue. I'll leave a note in the mailbox and see if that works, if not I'll specifically request the pick up through the web site.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
As far as I know we can still go to the P.O.
Met my carrier at the street and just before he got to my mailbox I put my package on top. He saw me do it and said "stay safe".
bob
I'm on what they call a "rural route" so my mailman can do just about any transaction for me including selling me stamps if I need them. I think this is a leftover service from back in the day but the post office is pretty accommodating around these parts for the rural customers if they need help. Here is what the USPS says on its website:
Rural carriers operate a Post Office™ on Wheels and can do the following: Sell stamps. Accept/Deliver mailable matter including USPS Retail Ground®, Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® (Registered Mail®, Certified Mail®, Insured & Collect on Delivery [COD]).
Left a note in the mailbox and he came to the front steps to pick up the package, along with a bottle of water and a thank you note.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Went to my local PO last Friday. No talk of a closing by the clerk.
1 of my small local Post Offices is taking things very seriously. I went in yesterday and everyone was wearing what appeared to be the correct masks(I haven't a clue) and was overwhelmed by the smell cleaning products. Pretty much smelled like a hospital in there!
My carrier gave me his cell number.
https://tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm
You are welcome.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Not what you're asking because it relates to small things I can put in a blue mail box, but I've found that walking ~10 minutes to a mailbox is a good way to get me outside for a few minutes, even if it's just to drop off one cheap thing I could give to my carrier.
As long as it gets scanned in.
Normally everything gets scanned late night the day it's picked up at the first major sort. I can't think of the last time a package didn't get scanned. I have a few day handling period on eBay but still aim for next day unless something comes up and I just can't do it... the odds a package gets ~2 days in the system without a scan of any kind is just about zero.
I leave the house.
My packages usually one slabbed coin sometimes 2 they fit in the slot for a mailbox near me outside a store. Or I can drive to my post office 4 miles away drop them in mail boxes on outside or put on one of 2 inside mail slots. I don’t do bulk items like ASE rolls.
Post Office here is operating with normal hours - I always drop off and request a receipt.