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I'm giving up on registered mail...
notwilight
Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
Ebay (with the help of other social factors) has created a generation of buyers who want instant delivery. Every registered package I send out I have to write them a paragraph about 5 days after I ship explaining how long registered mail take and even so, I'm pretty sure that is where my "slow shipping" DSR ratings are coming from....
Tomorrow, I'm shipping 3 shipments that would have gone registered in the past and they are shipping express mail. I relisted some gold buffalos tonight and put express mail as my standard shipping and put a note in the body of the auction that if they aren't in a hurry and want me to send it registered and save them $10 or so, they should contact me.
As an aside, I just got a message from an ebay buyer who bought on Aug 28 and hasn't gotten it yet saying that if he doesn't receive it by Friday, he was going to request a refund. I pulled up his tracking (first class) and he is clear across the country and it is almost there...but I have to check tracking on 3 or 4 packages every night....and I ship almost every day. It is getting rediculous.
--Jerry
Tomorrow, I'm shipping 3 shipments that would have gone registered in the past and they are shipping express mail. I relisted some gold buffalos tonight and put express mail as my standard shipping and put a note in the body of the auction that if they aren't in a hurry and want me to send it registered and save them $10 or so, they should contact me.
As an aside, I just got a message from an ebay buyer who bought on Aug 28 and hasn't gotten it yet saying that if he doesn't receive it by Friday, he was going to request a refund. I pulled up his tracking (first class) and he is clear across the country and it is almost there...but I have to check tracking on 3 or 4 packages every night....and I ship almost every day. It is getting rediculous.
--Jerry
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the economy turns back downhill. Personally, I prefer registered mail on packages to me for safety reasons.
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Well, what can you do?
Express Mail is the only way to preserve remaining sanity, I guess.
I had a registered package arrive from LA to San Francisco in two days. I almost fainted.
I gave up on sending anything registered to PCGS simply because it added a minimum of 5 days to ANY submission. I'm just not that patient so always send insured express!
I think your decision is a wise one Jerry.
The name is LEE!
First Class is not trackable.
<< <i>If you have a tracking number, Paypal should tell him to pound sand on the refund. But the instant gratification generation is in for a rude surprise when
the economy turns back downhill. Personally, I prefer registered mail on packages to me for safety reasons. >>
Yes, it's just the headache of having to explain it 4 times every night.
And the USPS will tell you that express mail is as reliable as registered mail and they've put their money where their mouth is, express mail gets the same low insurance rates as registered (up to $5000) --Jerry
You must wait until they complain, then you must talk them down to reality.
There is no way out of that.
Yeah. I stopped selling on eBay some time ago partially because I didn't like this aspect. Packages in transit = daily stress.
DSR's are great expect for shipping cost.
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<< <i>Hey if they're willing to pay Express + Insurance, do it. Me? I charge $2.99 for shipping $100 items and it's like I'm robbing grandma or something. My
DSR's are great expect for shipping cost. >>
I'm talking items over $1500. Registered is about $17 and express is about $27. $10 difference with insurance. --Jerry
<< <i>"I pulled up his tracking (first class)"
First Class is not trackable. >>
There is always a lot of mis-information out there and I'm sure that contributes to the buyers mis-expectations. Here is the tracking info for the first class package in question:
Label/Receipt Number: 9101 1501 3471 1812 9514 88
Class: First-Class Mail®
Service(s): Delivery Confirmation™
Status: Processed through Sort Facility
Your item was processed through and left our PHILADELPHIA, PA 19176 facility on September 7, 2009. The item is currently in transit to the destination. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.
Track and Confirm
Enter Label/Receipt Number.
Enter Label / Receipt Number.
Detailed Results:
Bullet Processed through Sort Facility, September 07, 2009, 8:44 pm, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19176
Bullet Processed through Sort Facility, August 30, 2009, 8:56 pm, LOS ANGELES, CA 90052
Bullet Processed through Sort Facility, August 30, 2009, 1:56 am, BELL, CA 90201
Bullet Electronic Shipping Info Received, August 29, 2009
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
Just sounds like Alcoholics Anonymous.
<< <i>"I pulled up his tracking (first class)"
First Class is not trackable. >>
First class letters are not trackable, First Class packages are. In order to be considered a package, the envelope must be a minimum of 3/4 inch thick. This is important, because if you print your own labels, as I do, you need to follow this rule. If you pay postage for a package, but fail to make it fat enough, a persnickety letter carrier (and there are a few) can re-rate it as Priority Mail at time of delivery. It will be delivered to your customer with postage due - sure to annoy. For the low value items that I ship as First Class packages, I add in extra packing material to make sure that it is 3/4 inch thick.
merse
What he said.................
Steve
Good things are worth waiting for.
If under the max, wouldn't that be less than Express?
Registered Mail is a cr@p-shot IMO.....packages coming from PCGS, about 100 miles down the road, may take 3 day (yes, it actually happened) or over a week.
About printing out a 1st-Class slip with D.C., can that be done with any shipment, or just items bought through PayPal?
I am signed up USPS, but have not seen where I can choose 1st class as the method of mailing, just Priority & Express.
--Jerry
<< <i>As an aside, I just got a message from an ebay buyer who bought on Aug 28 and hasn't gotten it yet saying that if he doesn't receive it by Friday, he was going to request a refund. I pulled up his tracking (first class) and he is clear across the country and it is almost there...but I have to check tracking on 3 or 4 packages every night....and I ship almost every day. It is getting rediculous.
--Jerry >>
Can the asshats at eBay/PP issue a refund here WITHOUT your approval?
Funny you mention this because I am currently waiting for a coin I bought on Ebay that was shipped last Saturday via priority registered mail. I was sent a tracking number and it still shows "accepted at facility" or some such thing. I also contacted the seller about it today, even though I'm not in any real rush to get it. Why? Several reasons: (1) I paid for the shipping and priority mail is supposed to be 3-4 days. If I'm not going to get it within that time frame I'd like to have a refund or credit on the shipping or have the option up front for the super snail mail choice. (2) I've never dealt with this seller before and I want to make sure I'm not getting scammed, (3) How the seller handles this situation and my correspondence will probably dictate whether or not I do any further business with this seller, and (4) feedback is everything with Ebay. I'm not going to ding him for slow shipping since, according to the tracking info, he put it into the mail right away. However, many sellers often send "friendly reminders" asking for immediate feedback and I always try to post that feedback upon receipt of the item so I don't forget.
For full disclosure, I live in NYC and usually receive registered packages within 2-3 days. So it isn't like I'm off the beaten track or anything. I'm just trying to give one buyer's point of view.
JH
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
Reliable time frame for delivery? NOT !!!!
We shipped 2 registered packages out this past Saturday, one going to CA from the east coast and the other going to Maryland. CA package was delivered yesterday and the Maryland package is still on its way, less than 300 miles away!!!!
<< <i>Jerry
Funny you mention this because I am currently waiting for a coin I bought on Ebay that was shipped last Saturday via priority registered mail. I was sent a tracking number and it still shows "accepted at facility" or some such thing. I also contacted the seller about it today, even though I'm not in any real rush to get it. Why? Several reasons: (1) I paid for the shipping and priority mail is supposed to be 3-4 days. If I'm not going to get it within that time frame I'd like to have a refund or credit on the shipping or have the option up front for the super snail mail choice. (2) I've never dealt with this seller before and I want to make sure I'm not getting scammed, (3) How the seller handles this situation and my correspondence will probably dictate whether or not I do any further business with this seller, and (4) feedback is everything with Ebay. I'm not going to ding him for slow shipping since, according to the tracking info, he put it into the mail right away. However, many sellers often send "friendly reminders" asking for immediate feedback and I always try to post that feedback upon receipt of the item so I don't forget.
For full disclosure, I live in NYC and usually receive registered packages within 2-3 days. So it isn't like I'm off the beaten track or anything. I'm just trying to give one buyer's point of view.
JH >>
Paying extra for priority service with registered usually DOES NOT speed things up. Also tracking is NOT real time for registered. It will show as accepted and hopefully get updated later in the day on which it was delivered. As a recipient it is YOUR responsibility to know and understand the nature of the services that you request or that the seller chooses to use.
<< <i>Jerry
Funny you mention this because I am currently waiting for a coin I bought on Ebay that was shipped last Saturday via priority registered mail. I was sent a tracking number and it still shows "accepted at facility" or some such thing. I also contacted the seller about it today, even though I'm not in any real rush to get it. Why? Several reasons: (1) I paid for the shipping and priority mail is supposed to be 3-4 days. If I'm not going to get it within that time frame I'd like to have a refund or credit on the shipping or have the option up front for the super snail mail choice. (2) I've never dealt with this seller before and I want to make sure I'm not getting scammed, (3) How the seller handles this situation and my correspondence will probably dictate whether or not I do any further business with this seller, and (4) feedback is everything with Ebay. I'm not going to ding him for slow shipping since, according to the tracking info, he put it into the mail right away. However, many sellers often send "friendly reminders" asking for immediate feedback and I always try to post that feedback upon receipt of the item so I don't forget.
For full disclosure, I live in NYC and usually receive registered packages within 2-3 days. So it isn't like I'm off the beaten track or anything. I'm just trying to give one buyer's point of view.
JH >>
You are the exact customer I'm complaining about. Nothing personal.
1. Registered moves at registered pace. They charge priority mail for anything over 13 oz but it does NOT move at priority pace.
2. You likely didn't get overcharged. For a package over $1000 registered mail is about $17 FC and $20 priority.
3. You are mistaken when you say that you "usually receive registered packages in 2-3 days". I've shipped hundreds and that almost never happens, certainly not usually.
4. If I have to send e-mails back and forth with all of the 200 sales/week that I make I won't get anything else done. You want personal service and cheerful e-mails but you are already beetching about the cost. You don't believe in handling fees either I presume.
5. You don't realize that registered mail does not show tracking at intermediate locations so that needs to be explained in the emails.
6. My post here will not change your opinion that this seller is in the wrong.
7. The seller shipped by the most secure and trusted method the USPS provides yet you still don't trust him.
So I'm going to express mail whenever I can.
--Jerry
<< <i>Registered mail – Safe? Supposed to be
Reliable time frame for delivery? NOT !!!!
We shipped 2 registered packages out this past Saturday, one going to CA from the east coast and the other going to Maryland. CA package was delivered yesterday and the Maryland package is still on its way, less than 300 miles away!!!! >>
I have a theory that since it is kept in lock and key, if the keymaster takes a week of vacation at some intermediate location it just sits there....
<< <i>All PayPal shipping labels, with items delivered to the US, are trackable, if they are properly scanned by the PO. ( PO seems to be getting better at doing that) However, for First Class mail, you will be charged the more expensive parcel rate instead of the envelope rate. (PayPal shipping label automatically includes Delivery Confirmation @ $.19 per label) >>
With all due respect, this is more mis-information. On registered mail they charge for priority mail but the tracking is the registered number starting with RX and ending in US. I think I know what you meant to say but readers interpret it differently and thus spread mis-info.
--Jerry
<< <i>Jerry
Funny you mention this because I am currently waiting for a coin I bought on Ebay that was shipped last Saturday via priority registered mail. I was sent a tracking number and it still shows "accepted at facility" or some such thing. I also contacted the seller about it today, even though I'm not in any real rush to get it. Why? Several reasons: (1) I paid for the shipping and priority mail is supposed to be 3-4 days. If I'm not going to get it within that time frame I'd like to have a refund or credit on the shipping or have the option up front for the super snail mail choice. (2) I've never dealt with this seller before and I want to make sure I'm not getting scammed, (3) How the seller handles this situation and my correspondence will probably dictate whether or not I do any further business with this seller, and (4) feedback is everything with Ebay. I'm not going to ding him for slow shipping since, according to the tracking info, he put it into the mail right away. However, many sellers often send "friendly reminders" asking for immediate feedback and I always try to post that feedback upon receipt of the item so I don't forget.
For full disclosure, I live in NYC and usually receive registered packages within 2-3 days. So it isn't like I'm off the beaten track or anything. I'm just trying to give one buyer's point of view.
JH >>
The lazy at the Post Office don't update it sometimes until after the package is actually delivered. It's not the sellers fault and we have no control
over it.
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<< <i>What I like about express mail is the tracking is updated at the time of scan. Other usps tracking is updated at the end of the business day, frequently in the middle of the night. With express mail you know exactly where your package is at any given point in time. >>
So I'm taking this as a Yes vote for express mail. You don't mind paying $10 extra on a $1500 and up coin? --Jerry
of reasons.
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Really? Even from California?
Steve
Correct, actually you are not paying for priority 'service' you are simply paying the priority rate.
Steve
Just sounds like Alcoholics Anonymous."
Ditto here. Very little ebay for me as well. IMHO, when they took away the ability of sellers to leave negs for buyers, it disrupted the "checks and balances" of the system. And, in 12 years on ebay I never received a negative (and gave virtually none to buyers either) - but, the orderly balance got disrupted and buyers were able to make unreasonable demands, like the ones notwilight has mentioned here.
I also am aware of -1- seller who has brought suit against ebay recently to either remove the unreasonable negs he received (he tells me one of the negs was from a buyer who never even paid for the item) and/or receive damages for each unreasonable neg given. I am curious to see how that suit goes.
Wondercoin
<< <i>That Stupid Shipping DSR should go bye bye! At the very minimum, its rating should NOT be included in determining any sellers overall rating since it involves a third party vendor which sellersd have absolutely no control over.
I gave up on sending anything registered to PCGS simply because it added a minimum of 5 days to ANY submission. I'm just not that patient so always send insured express!
I think your decision is a wise one Jerry. >>
I think it should be renamed to simply handling time. I check the postmarks and the paypal payment date to determine how I give DSRs on that. Someone who ships priority and sits on it 3 days deserves the same rating as the person who ships parcel post and send it the same day or next day? The method advertised is the method advertised. Likewise for the handling time. Oh, and don't forget to check advertised handling time. I always use 2 days when I generally ship next day and sometimes the same day.
<< <i>Jerry
Funny you mention this because I am currently waiting for a coin I bought on Ebay that was shipped last Saturday via priority registered mail. I was sent a tracking number and it still shows "accepted at facility" or some such thing. I also contacted the seller about it today, even though I'm not in any real rush to get it. Why? Several reasons: (1) I paid for the shipping and priority mail is supposed to be 3-4 days. If I'm not going to get it within that time frame I'd like to have a refund or credit on the shipping or have the option up front for the super snail mail choice. (2) I've never dealt with this seller before and I want to make sure I'm not getting scammed, (3) How the seller handles this situation and my correspondence will probably dictate whether or not I do any further business with this seller, and (4) feedback is everything with Ebay. I'm not going to ding him for slow shipping since, according to the tracking info, he put it into the mail right away. However, many sellers often send "friendly reminders" asking for immediate feedback and I always try to post that feedback upon receipt of the item so I don't forget.
For full disclosure, I live in NYC and usually receive registered packages within 2-3 days. So it isn't like I'm off the beaten track or anything. I'm just trying to give one buyer's point of view.
JH >>
Yeah... what they said...
Register Mail moves at Registered pace. The rest is some kind of Post Office Rate jargon. Below a certain weight it goes first class registered and above that it goes priority registered. The difference in the service level? none. It's just a name difference for different weight classes. They may as well use fly weight and bantam weight.
Oh yes, and the tracking of Registered packages is a useless joke. It shows when I mailed the package, but it doesn't show anything else until after the package has been received... no intermediate steps are now shown along the way, so you never know what the hell the rate of progress is.
<< <i>You are the exact customer I'm complaining about. Nothing personal.
1. Registered moves at registered pace. They charge priority mail for anything over 13 oz but it does NOT move at priority pace.
2. You likely didn't get overcharged. For a package over $1000 registered mail is about $17 FC and $20 priority.
3. You are mistaken when you say that you "usually receive registered packages in 2-3 days". I've shipped hundreds and that almost never happens, certainly not usually.
4. If I have to send e-mails back and forth with all of the 200 sales/week that I make I won't get anything else done. You want personal service and cheerful e-mails but you are already beetching about the cost. You don't believe in handling fees either I presume.
5. You don't realize that registered mail does not show tracking at intermediate locations so that needs to be explained in the emails.
6. My post here will not change your opinion that this seller is in the wrong.
7. The seller shipped by the most secure and trusted method the USPS provides yet you still don't trust him. >>
Jerry's right on this one. The real kicker is that you know the seller shipped on time, so why not give the service its due time?
<< <i>To read this thread, one would be led to believe that it was impossible to obtain and maintain a 4.9/5.0 DSR rating in the shipping category. It's all Ebays fault for setting such unattainable goals. Yet, if you browse through ebay listings, it easy to find numerous coin sellers, with hundreds of transactions, who have been able to maintain a high DSR rating. It makes me wonder what the difference in sellers is. >>
Most sellers don't ship registered mail and take the USPS risks.
<< <i>
<< <i>All PayPal shipping labels, with items delivered to the US, are trackable, if they are properly scanned by the PO. ( PO seems to be getting better at doing that) However, for First Class mail, you will be charged the more expensive parcel rate instead of the envelope rate. (PayPal shipping label automatically includes Delivery Confirmation @ $.19 per label) >>
With all due respect, this is more mis-information. On registered mail they charge for priority mail but the tracking is the registered number starting with RX and ending in US. I think I know what you meant to say but readers interpret it differently and thus spread mis-info.
--Jerry >>
Only for items weighing more than 13 oz will you be charged the Priority Rate if mailed via Registered Mail. BTW..Registered mail is not available via PayPal shipping. My original statement only applies to labels that are available to be generated via PayPal.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>All PayPal shipping labels, with items delivered to the US, are trackable, if they are properly scanned by the PO. ( PO seems to be getting better at doing that) However, for First Class mail, you will be charged the more expensive parcel rate instead of the envelope rate. (PayPal shipping label automatically includes Delivery Confirmation @ $.19 per label) >>
With all due respect, this is more mis-information. On registered mail they charge for priority mail but the tracking is the registered number starting with RX and ending in US. I think I know what you meant to say but readers interpret it differently and thus spread mis-info.
--Jerry >>
Only for items weighing more than 13 oz will you be charged the Priority Rate if mailed via Registered Mail. BTW..Registered mail is not available via PayPal shipping. My original statement only applies to labels that are available to be generated via PayPal. >>
I always generate a paypal shipping label then take the package to the PO and add registered. Best of both worlds.
Edited, this way no one has to try and decipher my handwriting.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>All PayPal shipping labels, with items delivered to the US, are trackable, if they are properly scanned by the PO. ( PO seems to be getting better at doing that) However, for First Class mail, you will be charged the more expensive parcel rate instead of the envelope rate. (PayPal shipping label automatically includes Delivery Confirmation @ $.19 per label) >>
With all due respect, this is more mis-information. On registered mail they charge for priority mail but the tracking is the registered number starting with RX and ending in US. I think I know what you meant to say but readers interpret it differently and thus spread mis-info. --Jerry >>
Only for items weighing more than 13 oz will you be charged the Priority Rate if mailed via Registered Mail. BTW..Registered mail is not available via PayPal shipping. My original statement only applies to labels that are available to be generated via PayPal. >>
I always generate a paypal shipping label then take the package to the PO and add registered. Best of both worlds. Edited, this way no one has to try and decipher my handwriting.
I did that once. It was so hard for them to figure out I never tried it again. Sounds like you have your postal guys trained. I like not having to read handwriting. --jerry
<< <i>
I did that once. It was so hard for them to figure out I never tried it again. Sounds like you have your postal guys trained. I like not having to read handwriting. --jerry >>
Yes, it is worth the time to re-train new employees when they come in too. Because there is an online discount I also have to point out that they have to deduct the non-discounted fee's already paid online to balance out correctly.
Whatever you do don't add anything extra online like signature confirmation or insurance as that really goofs them up.
sent 22 Oct 09
USPS is a joke..............I think I am going to start using UPS.
edit: forgot to mention, it is much easier too. I put the coin in a padded envelope, put it in a flat rate envelope, print out the express mail postage with paypal shipping and now when I go to the PO all I have to do is add the insurance which is much quicker than registered mail. --jerry