How Does the Post Office Get Away With...

dragon · August 28, 2011 4:32AM

Charging -PRIORITY MAIL- rates on registered packages and then taking 10 days to deliver a package 2 states away??

Rampage · August 28, 2011 4:34AM

Priority mail is estimated, not guaranteed. I once had a priority mail package take seven days to go from north Florida to southwest Florida. I could have driven there and back to hand deliver it in the same day. Of course, it would have cost much more in time, gas, wear and tear on vehicle, etc.

Rampage · August 28, 2011 4:35AM

I think we have all complained about the USPS rates at one point or another, but I have come to realize that it is still much cheaper to pay the USPS to deliver than to do it myself. I do not use FedEx or UPS so I have no basis for comparison on those corporations.

Bochiman · August 28, 2011 4:36AM

If time is of the essence, DO NOT use registered.
If safety and security of the package is more important, you can't beat registered.

If you know what happens with registered, you will understand it can take 2 days or it can take 20 days. It's security.
Only certain employees have the keys and can sign it out, right? If someone is sick or on vacation, there may not be a backup.

There are more than a few reasons it can be delayed....there are also times when it can be quick.

What rates do you want them to charge on registered? For the security they provide?

ricko · August 28, 2011 4:39AM

For high value shipments, registered/insured is the only way I will ship. Cheers, RickO

RedHerring · August 28, 2011 4:41AM

Anything over 13 ounces is charged Priority Mail rates. Registered Mail uses those rates.

CoinJunkie · August 28, 2011 4:42AM

If you're in a hurry and the value is $5K or less, Express Mail may be the way to go. Seems fairly
safe considering it should only be in the possession of USPS for a day (or two, worst case).

PerryHall · August 28, 2011 4:53AM

<< I think we have all complained about the USPS rates at one point or another, but I have come to realize that it is still much cheaper to pay the USPS to deliver than to do it myself. I do not use FedEx or USPS so I have no basis for comparison on those corporations. >>

I think you mean you do not use UPS.

dragon · August 28, 2011 4:54AM

My point is that they charge Priority Mail rates on registered when they have no intention of honoring their policy of 2-3 day delivery from what I can see. In the last case, it didn't even leave my city for 4 days.

blu62vette · August 28, 2011 5:06AM

The only reason to use priority with registered is to take advantage of a flat rate box.

golden · August 28, 2011 5:06AM

I have received Express Mail packages but I only send Registered.

Rampage · August 28, 2011 5:28AM

<< 

<< I think we have all complained about the USPS rates at one point or another, but I have come to realize that it is still much cheaper to pay the USPS to deliver than to do it myself. I do not use FedEx or USPS so I have no basis for comparison on those corporations. >>

I think you mean you do not use UPS. >>

Oops, you are correct. I meant to type UPS. Correction on the way...

Rampage · August 28, 2011 5:30AM

<< My point is that they charge Priority Mail rates on registered when they have no intention of honoring their policy of 2-3 day delivery from what I can see. In the last case, it didn't even leave my city for 4 days. >>

That is not always certain. PCGS has sent me registered priority mail and it HGAS taken only two to three days. Again, priority mail is not guaranteed to be delivered in two to three days. As someone else stated, I would much rather have the security.

BAJJERFAN · August 28, 2011 5:53AM

<< Priority mail is estimated, not guaranteed. I once had a priority mail package take seven days to go from north Florida to southwest Florida. I could have driven there and back to hand deliver it in the same day. Of course, it would have cost much more in time, gas, wear and tear on vehicle, etc. >>

The same holds true for priority mail which is forwarded. Takes at least two weeks it seems and the forwarding post office isn't THAT far away. Recently had two priority packages forwarded. One forwarded on the 11th was delivered on the 25th. The other forwarded on the 13th is still MIA.

derryb · August 28, 2011 6:09AM

<< My point is that they charge Priority Mail rates on registered when they have no intention of honoring their policy of 2-3 day delivery from what I can see. In the last case, it didn't even leave my city for 4 days. >>

All registered mail over 13oz is charged at the priority rate plus the registered fee. 13oz and under, when requested, is charged first class rate plus registered fee. All registered mail travels at the registered snail mail pace. You paid extra for the weight, not for speed. Don't forget to take advantage of the priority flat rate box when mailing heavy registered shipments.

keyman64 · August 28, 2011 6:09AM

Because they can. And because of the strong track record they have.

messydesk · August 28, 2011 6:19AM

"Priority Mail, 2 to 3 days, not guaranteed" is a slogan, not a promise. It means nothing more than "First Class Mail." If you use priority mail for less than 13 ounces, it means "First Class Mail sent by a Sucker." I don't know if you can do Parcel Post registered, but in some cases, that might be cheaper.

OPA · August 28, 2011 6:28AM

<< My point is that they charge Priority Mail rates on registered when they have no intention of honoring their policy of 2-3 day delivery from what I can see. In the last case, it didn't even leave my city for 4 days. >>

You're mixing apples with oranges. There is no such thing as Priority Mail in Registered Mail..it's all Snail Mail. The Priority Mail Rate is applied on items weighing more than 13 oz which has nothing to do with the 2 or 3 day guarantee when shipping via Registered Mail. Mailing your items via Priority Mail is a completely separate mode of mailing.

dragon · August 28, 2011 6:52AM

<<< You're mixing apples with oranges. There is no such thing as Priority Mail in Registered Mail..it's all Snail Mail. >>>

The receipt on my last registered small package which was 15 ozs. said "Priority Mail Zone-5, $5.35" and I was told it could only go via priority, not regular 1st class. It even said on the receipt that expected delivery was within 2-3 days from mailing. So my point stands, they're charging Priority Mail rates along with the registered service, and then it goes snail mail.

derryb · August 28, 2011 6:58AM

There's priority rate and there's priority handling. With registered priority you are getting registered handling at priority rate. You have no choice when mailing registered greater than 13oz. You're registered priority would be expedited except the registered handling (chain of custody along the way) slows it down. If you want speed avoid registered. If you want security stick with registered. You can't have both.

Think of it as if you were given priority over everyone else in line to pay the most money. Your complaint deals with the additional priority rate fee. It is automatic and the postal scales default to it over 13 oz. The up side is you can get prioirty flat rate for really heavy stuff.

Write your congressman or call him on the golf course.

coindeuce · August 28, 2011 7:59AM

<< My point is that they charge Priority Mail rates on registered when they have no intention of honoring their policy of 2-3 day delivery from what I can see. In the last case, it didn't even leave my city for 4 days. >>

The point is that you need to learn the difference between what Registered Service is and what Priority Service is. Registered Service is a totally separate circuit of mail handling, regardless of the packaging used, and involves securing each Registered article in a locked bag that must be accounted for at every instance in which the bag/article changes hands physically. Because of the logistics involved in that process, there is absolutely no guarantee on delivery time, including the estimated times advertised for Priority packaging. Just be thankful that Registered articles weighing more than 13 ounces can be shipped in a Priority FLAT RATE box, or the cost of shipping such an article could become prohibitively expensive. Case in point: Try shipping 10 - 100 ounce .999 silver ingots (68.6 pounds avoirdupois) in a plain cardboard box by Registered service, as opposed to shipping the same in a Priority FLAT RATE medium or large size box with Registered service. The former package setup would cost approximately $200 more than the latter.

Like it or not, the Domestic Mailing Manual is a public document that you have at your disposal to review and accept or reject. As noted here previously, any article weighing 13 ounces or more is subject to Priority Rates for 1st class service.

Bochiman · August 28, 2011 8:05AM

<< <<< You're mixing apples with oranges. There is no such thing as Priority Mail in Registered Mail..it's all Snail Mail. >>>

The receipt on my last registered small package which was 15 ozs. said "Priority Mail Zone-5, $5.35" and I was told it could only go via priority, not regular 1st class. It even said on the receipt that expected delivery was within 2-3 days from mailing. So my point stands, they're charging Priority Mail rates along with the registered service, and then it goes snail mail. >>

Dragon, are you picking and choosing what you read from the above posts? Anything over 13oz must go priority rates. You read that, right? You pay attention to postal rules, right?
Your weight, as you state it, for the package was 15ozs....that exceeds the 1st class rate weight, so it had to go priority rates. You realize that, right?

You can also understand English, so you should be able to understand what EXPECTED delivery means.....expected is NOT a promise. Not a guarantee. If it makes it, it makes it. Mark Feld sent me a registered mail from CA (2 states away). Mailed it on Friday and I received it Monday. So, they can be quick. I EXPECTED it to take at least 7 days, because I have used registered before and understand the process.

You are upset by the USPS terms used but I think if you understood them better, you would actually be a bit more calm about it.

I will NOT use UPS nor Fedex (insurance not withstanding) for ANYTHING if I can help it. I really dislike them...particularly the receipt of them as they aren't on any schedule to my house, nor would I expect that since it isn't daily to them, and if I miss them, it is a PAIN to go retieve the package...whereas the USPS is great about getting the package by the next day.

derryb · August 28, 2011 8:18AM

The only guarantee the post office gives on delivery time is the amount of time you must wait to file a lost parcel claim.

Domestic Mail Manual, everyone should have a copy

Rampage · August 28, 2011 8:28AM

I am perplexed by your reaction to all this, especially from you. The USPS clearly states priority mail is not guaranteed in 2 to 3 days, but they do make the effort. Several folks have now gone through the trouble to help you understand, but you apparently are either not reading everything, or are in firm belief that the USPS is ripping you off of a few dollars.

If you are upset over a couple of bucks difference between snail maila and priority mail, kindly PM me your email address and I will paypal you the difference.

derryb · August 28, 2011 8:51AM

<< If you are upset over a couple of bucks difference between snail maila and priority mail, kindly PM me your email address and I will paypal you the difference. >>

OP got me upset. Do I qualify?

itsnotjustme · August 28, 2011 10:19AM

I guess I have a beef with their insurance rates.

We'll deliver your package for $4.65, but if you want us to be sure it arrives with contents intact, it will cost you extra. While I understand things like tracking and signatures are extra work, I think most is protection from employee (postal) theft.

Rampage · August 29, 2011 11:06AM

<< I guess I have a beef with their insurance rates.

We'll deliver your package for $4.65, but if you want us to be sure it arrives with contents intact, it will cost you extra. While I understand things like tracking and signatures are extra work, I think most is protection from employee (postal) theft. >>

Well, you have to admit with the quantity of mail the USPS deals with, an accident is bound to happen at some pointor another. It IS still cheaper than delivering the mail yourself.

DuPapa · August 29, 2011 1:54PM

<< <<< You're mixing apples with oranges. There is no such thing as Priority Mail in Registered Mail..it's all Snail Mail. >>>

The receipt on my last registered small package which was 15 ozs. said "Priority Mail Zone-5, $5.35" and I was told it could only go via priority, not regular 1st class. It even said on the receipt that expected delivery was within 2-3 days from mailing. So my point stands, they're charging Priority Mail rates along with the registered service, and then it goes snail mail. >>

Anything of 13 oz can't be sent via 1st class... over 13oz can only be sent via Parcel Post® or Priority Mail®...

15oz via Parcel Post® would have cost you about $5.41 and you would need to supply the box.
15oz via Priority Mail® would cost you $5.35
15oz via Priority Mail® Small Flat Rate Box costs $5.20 if done at the PO or $5.00 if you printed the postage on-line...

In USPS saved you $'s by forcing you to use Priority Mail®....

I don't understand your isuue unless you think they should change the 13oz limit on 1st class or allow Parcel Post® to be used with Registered Mail® which would cost more than Priority Mail®....

MichaelS · August 29, 2011 3:25PM

<< Don't forget to take advantage of the priority flat rate box when mailing heavy registered shipments. >>

Since Registered Mail requires the box to be completely covered with paper tape, how does the postal clerk know the box really is a flat rate box?

-Mike

mrpotatoheadd · August 29, 2011 3:34PM

<< Since Registered Mail requires the box to be completely covered with paper tape, how does the postal clerk know the box really is a flat rate box? >>

The box doesn't have to be completely covered. Only the seams.

Rampage · August 30, 2011 6:29AM

<< The box doesn't have to be completely covered. Only the seams. >>

That is correct.

It looks like we lost Dragon on this topic...

Wingsrule · August 30, 2011 6:33AM

My PO has given me two different answers. The first was "seams only" is OK. When I took the next package there, taped only along the seams, that guy was not in and the clerk on duty told me it was "entire coverage", EXCEPT for the "Priority Flat Rate Box" printing so they could verify it really was an FRB.

How Does the Post Office Get Away With...

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