kshoops
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posted on November 28, 2001 09:14:51 PM new
Hello everyone,
I am sure this question has been answered a million times, but I was wondering how to get the free delivery confirmation forms or arrangements at the www.usps.com website. At least I think this is possible from the things I have heard from other people. Any help is appreciated!
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kkbclear
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posted on November 28, 2001 09:44:20 PM new
Let me post my 2 cents worth here too (minus listing and final value fees of course, AW fees, PayPal fees, etc.).
I looked at the site a month or so ago. If I remember right, you have to register with Dun and Bradstreet. Please tell me I am wrong about that requirement.
If you do have to register with D & B, do you have to be a business? What if I am just selling clothes my grandkids have outgrown and items I glean from cleaning out my closets? That's more like a rummage sale (like eBay in the good old days) than a business!
If I do have to register with D & B, how do I do it? Name my business "Granny's yard sales"?
Would love to use free delivery confirmation, but I remember something stopped me cold in the process. I think it was the D & B stuff.
Help needed here!
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bidsbids
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posted on November 28, 2001 10:51:40 PM new
Anyone can use the free delivery confirmation. Somewhere ( Bidville message boards? ) the posters were complaining the bold printing and new line bars were sucking up too much ink to be worth the cost savings.
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kshoops
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posted on November 28, 2001 11:12:30 PM new
Hi,
Thanks for the great info---I had not heard that they would require you to be a registered business to use the service, but I suppose I will have to check into that, I don't want to get tied up in a bunch of paperwork or rules.
bidsbids: Thanks for the info also, I was wondering---I have been around and around the usps.com website the last day or so, and I simply cannot find the forms to print off for the delivery confirmation---do you know of a link to get to the forms, or maybe what links I need to click on at the website to at least be able to check them out? Thanks for your help, I must be blind, but I just can't find them.
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lund316
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posted on November 28, 2001 11:27:04 PM new
On the home page click on the tracking/ confirm tab. This will take you to another page. In the center click on Priority Mail and this will take you to the next page. On that page to the right is a box, click on "go" and this will take you to the lable making section.
Enter the day you want the lable to ship. Enter your address info and then customer info and just follow instructions.
When you tape the lable to the package do not cover up the bar code as it does not always scan at the post office if you do.
There is no charge for this and you do not have to register.Any one.may use it.It is a little slow but you have a nice legible lable and DC. It also gives the 4 didgit zip extension which I think speeds up delivery at times, especially large city's.
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kdnmac
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posted on November 29, 2001 02:13:14 AM new
Here you go.
http://www.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi
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anothertreasure
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posted on November 29, 2001 04:25:59 AM new
I think it's great. I've used it about 20 times and only 2 were not scanned at the other end. If your post office is not familiar with it they don't have to scan it when you drop it off - no waiting in lines. One employee wanted to charge me 40 cents but the postmaster was very informed and explained it to him. I use plain paper and cut the bottom half off for my receipt. I can't believe that it uses 40 cents worth of ink or toner - it's a good deal.
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dixiebee
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posted on November 29, 2001 05:23:34 AM new
I printed out all of the information from the website and took it with me to the post office. Neither of the clerks nor the postmaster were aware of this new service. They now have my information taped to the wall for everyone to see.
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kahml
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posted on November 29, 2001 05:25:00 AM new
I always modify my inkjet settings to print fast and use a lighter ink volume - for whatever savings that allows.
So far, there have been no problems on the receiving end.
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connorscorner
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posted on November 29, 2001 08:03:49 AM new
I use it all the time. It makes a nice clean easily read label that looks professional and gives me a receipt at the same time. I always write on the receipt side the auction # and title and how they paid for quick reference.
We had a sub clerk in last Saturday that didn't know anything about them. He tried to scan the label, tried punching #'s in, decided it was defective and black magic markered it out.
Returning postmaster chewed him up over that one.
When your at the end of your rope:
Tie a knot and hang on!
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kshoops
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posted on November 29, 2001 08:40:19 AM new
Hey everybody,
Thanks for all your help---I got the right link and was able to print out my first labels! You are right, they do look great, and it does save a little money, not to mention all the time I can now save by not standing in line! They do take some ink and some paper, I think maybe I will skip using it on my lower $$ items just because of the extra time it takes and the less need I have for Del. Conf. on those, but I am sure going to use it on my higher $$ items.
NOW: My next question is this: I would LOVE to find some self-adhesive labels or paper that I could use for printing these out, because of all the extra time it takes to tape these down and the danger of not being able to tape over the top of the labels and having them torn in mid-shipment. Anyone have any suggestions for that? Thanks for your help!
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jewels2go
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posted on November 29, 2001 08:43:25 AM new
I sure appreciate everyone passing along this valuable information ... I have a question that I hope someone maybe able to answer ... I want to use the USPS "free" Delivery Confirmation for my items going out "Media" Mail ... I have looked all through the USPS site and I can't find the location for printing one for Media, only Priority ... Can someone direct me as "Me brain" must have a hole in it ... !!!! ... Thank You ahead of time to anyone able to pass this onto me !!!
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bidsbids
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posted on November 29, 2001 09:14:10 AM new
I wish it would be allowed on Media Mail too. For that matter, I wish regular DC were allowed on First Class Mail.
There was a rumor that Priority Mail DC was going to be free to all soon as an enchancement to offset the steep fee increase and new UPS pay-per-mileage fee structure.
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sandvet
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posted on November 29, 2001 09:14:53 AM new
jewels2go
Right now, the free electronic DC is available for Priority Mail only.
Sandvet
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connorscorner
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posted on November 29, 2001 10:32:37 AM new
I put the tape over the bar code on all of my packages. Make sure you use a wide clear tape and place the first strip over the bar code so it is nice and smooth. My postmaster has checked my packages to make sure that will scan, no problem. Even if they didn't scan the #s can be put in manually.
I would hate for unprotected labels to hit a little rain or snow.
When your at the end of your rope:
Tie a knot and hang on!
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iluvladybugs
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posted on November 29, 2001 04:29:22 PM new
I use full sheet Avery labels, and cut them in half. They are a little expensive, but I think that the convinience is worth it. Also, if I take the top half of the form with me to the post office, they will stamp it for me.
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litlux
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posted on November 29, 2001 04:45:19 PM new
There is no problem putting tape over the barcode, I have done it since day one and am up to 700 or so free DC labels. I got some 5" wide label tape and a metal dispenser with a flat area to affix the label before tearing off the tape.
It came from uline.com but I am sure other shipping supply specialists would have it. Don't even bother trying to find it at overpriced places like Staples or Office Depot/Max. They don't even carry my printer cartridges.
I print the labels on plain copy paper and cut to size. I find 97% get scanned.
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goldpanner3
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posted on November 29, 2001 05:46:50 PM new
I noticed the label says "please use laser or laser quality printer."
I take it inkjet printers are just fine?
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jsbrock
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posted on November 29, 2001 07:01:06 PM new
For anyone not wishing to tape (although I plan to give it a try) you can use something like Scotch brand permanent adhesive glue stick.
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bidsbids
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posted on November 29, 2001 09:11:27 PM new
I have the cheapest printer known to man ( Canon 2000 ) and it prints the labels just fine. A DotMatrix printer might be too poor of quality to use though.
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stopwhining
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posted on November 30, 2001 08:41:56 AM new
where do you folks find time to print the DC?
i agree with bidville dealers,it drinks ink like a whale and it takes too long and too much trouble .
besides it only shows your package has or has not arrived at destination post office and is good for antsy buyer who want to track his purchase every day.
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neatstuffusa
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posted on December 1, 2001 01:51:18 PM new
Geeze...sometimes you guys make me laugh.
<br />
<br />
When I get to the point that I have to worry about whether I can afford an black ink cartridge or not, I'll know I'm in the wrong business.<br />
Here the PO is offering to verify the address, print it out in the format they prefer, and give you delivery conformation for nothing and it's just (pick one or all) too hard, too expensive, too time consuming, whaa, whaa, whaa.
I don't understand your thinking...
[ edited by neatstuffusa on Dec 1, 2001 02:02 PM ]
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mssells
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posted on December 2, 2001 08:48:49 AM new
Dumn question time.....I looked at the USPS Web site and printed a sample label...looks pretty Kool but is sideway...also, if I want to use full label sheets to print on, how do you print to where only the label prints and not the receipt?
Mike
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musiclady6
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posted on December 3, 2001 08:10:34 PM new
Throwing my 2 cents into all this . . . the lady at my local post office said that it is free only until December 16th, or somewhere in there, and that USPS is doing it on just a trial basis right now.
After reading your comments, I'm going to go ahead and start putting wide, clear tape over the barcode. Also, I just use a glue stick to put it down, then put tape over it.
I'm still charging people the extra .40, figuring that my extra time, paper, and ink is worth that.
First time I did it, the part-time worker at the post office tried to charge me for it too, and I took in a copy to show them what to do.
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ccaswell
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posted on December 4, 2001 02:18:52 AM new
I tried this method of Delivery Confirmation yesterday and yes, it worked just fine.
However, When I use the traditional method, pay the 40 cents, the Post Office scans the bar code and it turns up on the web site as Package accepted at ######### on date and time - enroute to dstination. This gives the customer that warm cozy feeling. Particularly New eBayer's and larger ticket items. (Not to mention a new eBayer and a large ticket at the same time.....)
My Postmaster informed me that by using the free method - they will no longer scan the packages "accepted" when I drop them off nor will I get any enroute scans. The only thing I'll get is the delivered scan.
So..... I think I'm going to go back to the traditional method and pay the 40 cents. It's worth it to knock down on the "Have you sent it?" "It hasn't arrived" emails.
It's really a good feature - Too bad the service gets degraded to compensate for it.
chc
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jsbrock
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posted on December 4, 2001 03:34:33 AM new
9 out of 10 Postal employees don't seem to know anything about the services they offer, especially the new ones. Check out this link to see that you do get a scan history:
<br />
<br />
http://www.iship.com/trackit/track.asp?acct=AFFaw2D010&Track=01038555749001369743
<br />
<br />
The only difference I noticed is that the "ACCEPTED" time was later than when it gets scanned at the counter. I always put some language in my AW shipping notices that the number may not appear in the database for several hours.
<br />
<br />
<br />
[ edited by jsbrock on Dec 4, 2001 03:36 AM ]
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tomwiii
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posted on December 4, 2001 05:42:08 AM new
ccaswell:
When you use the FREE ELECTRONIC DC printed via the USPS site, the first message will be similar to:
"ELECTRONIC SHIPPING INFO RECEIVED, November 20, 2001, 1:28 pm"
At a savings of $0.40/package, this info seems good enuf for me! 
[ edited by tomwiii on Dec 4, 2001 05:43 AM ]
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ccaswell
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posted on December 4, 2001 07:12:26 AM new
Tomwiii,
I appreciate that information, that would suit me as well. I've got 4 packages going out today and have redone the mailing labels to give it a shot.
Well I guess I won't redo the one going to the UK. I get to send that one off blindly.
I never seem to get the return receipts back but I keep trying.
Thanks,
chc
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ccaswell
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posted on December 4, 2001 07:13:23 AM new
Double post -
[ edited by ccaswell on Dec 4, 2001 07:14 AM ]
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shawnb1
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posted on December 5, 2001 06:51:04 AM new
I've used the Free DC several times now and I love it. I had some Avery full sheet labels that I wasn't using anyway so I just used them. When I run out I will probably go to plain paper and tape the label. One thing you have to watch, though, is not all the clerks at the PO know about this. I have had 2 (both in a large city) try to charge me. Luckily, I had the receipt portion with me that states the service is free. What's funny is the first time I ever used the service in my little locual podunk PO the clerk knew what it was and didn't try to charge. The other clerks were asking about how it worked and if there was a way to track it on my end. You do get a history when you check it on the website and I've had no problems so far.
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