posted on February 23, 2002 07:31:14 AM new
I have used the free delivery confirmation label service that USPS offers on their website for priority mail packages, and it seems to work pretty well, however, I think it might be a bit flawed and I was wondering if anyone knows any way around my concern:
I used it a couple of times where the clerk scanned the barcode, and my receipt had the tracking number with $0.40 added then subtracted so the net result was that DC was no charge.
However, since then my post office showed me their instructions NOT to scan the barcode, and my receipts have not included the tracking number. Isn't this partly defeating the purpose of delivery confirmation?
If the item is never delivered for some reason, how do you have proof that you ever sent it? A receipt with only the zip code only proves that you sent a package to that zip code, and the other half sheet you get when printing out the label only proves you printed out a label!
I've tried questioning the various clerks on this and they have always been nice, but say with a shrug that they're only doing what the instructions tell them to do...
posted on February 23, 2002 07:43:42 AM new
We used to have the clerk postmark the bottom 1/2 receipt of the DC form. But at the main PO, they charged my wife for "proof of mailing" to do that, saying they were not supposed to postmark it free. Because all of our mailings are insured at least for the minimum (giving us proof), I let it go and didn't complain. Perhaps you will have to buy insurance or proof of mailing to really prove you sent it. I suggested to USPS that they postmark the bottom 1/2 receipt of the DC for a nominal fee (25 cents maybe), and everybody would be happy. I don't think my suggestion is near the top of any USPS list, unless it is the list of "dumb suggestions". LOL
posted on February 23, 2002 07:47:10 AM new
Could they date stamp your half sheet that you keep just like when they tear off your half of the green form and return it to you?
posted on February 23, 2002 07:51:25 AM new
rgrem,
My P.O. always Postmarks the other half of the green DC provided by USPS. Are you saying they didn't do the same for the one you printed yourself? What's the difference?
posted on February 23, 2002 08:00:05 AM new
I guess we are in this strange world of "my PO does...", "their PO...says", "this other PO won't....", LOL LOL. Funnier part is that a branch I go to will stamp the bottom receipt of my free DC form, but the main PO won't. I expect the regs say not to since with free DC, they didn't intend for us to get free "proof of mailing" also. The thing that bothers me is that I'll bet the 'free' DC form actually is a big $saver for the PO, with its standard form, confirmed zips, 100% legible addresses, etc. And they can cry all the way to the bank about needing higher fees, but my suspician is that Ebay Priority mailing is their real profit center.
posted on February 23, 2002 08:10:35 AM new
What you are asking for DEFEATS THE PURPOSE behind the PO offering FREE DC if you choose the electronic option!
It's free because the PO DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING!
DC IS NOT DESIGNED to be PROOF OF MAILING!
I've shipped over 1500 items via www.Endicia.com -- NEVER had a LOST or DAMAGED or MIS-DIRECTED package yet!
Most of my Media Mail items are arriving in under 4 days!
I use the FREE (or $0.12) DC -- if I'm worried about the value of an item, I use $0.40 UPIC insurance!
posted on February 23, 2002 08:17:41 AM new
i agree,the post office loves to see everyone coming thru with that usps priority box,3.50 and up.
throw in a few intl express mails,you will put a smile on their face.
all these dc,insurance slip.certificate of mailing mean zilch when customer does a chargeback claiming no cardholder authorisation.
dc just means it was scanned at the destination post office.
certificate of mailing just said you mailed the package.
insurance is only good if he is the customer and he did not receive the package.
if he said i never authorise this credit card transaction and i never receive anything,insurance does not apply here.he is not going to co-operate with you to sign that insurance form saying he did not receive the item,if he does sign it,it implies he ordered it and then he wont be able to win the chargeback that someone used his credit card without his approval.
when shipping cost starts to climb like we have to slap all these worthless papers on a package,it is time to consider ups or fed exp and pass the incremental expenses to the customers.
posted on February 23, 2002 08:31:17 AM newstopwhining: that scenario is VERY RARE! The one time someone tried to pull that crap on me I emailed them my sympathy & told them the Postal Inspectors were gonna investigate how someone could do such a dasterdly deed!
IT'S A MIRACLE! -- they emailed me back about how it was all a "misunderstanding" and cancelled the chargeback!!
FREE DC offers some physcological stroking for your customers! ++
PP requires it! ++
UPIC gives a better rate ($0.40) if you use it! ++
I feel the PO workers RESPECT these packages better -- at least my experience tends to prove it!
You do not have to be a business to use it. I used my eBay id for my small business name and there is an even an option for auction sales as the type of business.
It prints the same exact label but there are some verbiage variations.
There is actually a "USPS Postmark Here" on your bottom half copy. This is where the PO is supposed to place the red postmark stamp just like on the green DC slips.
It also states over to the left, "IF MAILING RECEIPT IS REQUIRED, PRESENT ARTICLE AND ONLINE E-LABEL RECORD AT POST OFFICE FOR POSTMARK".
posted on February 23, 2002 12:42:13 PM new
I have been using the electronic D/C for parcel post through the USPS's Shipping Assistant.
Per USPS's policy instructions, they are not to scan the electronic delivery confirmation bar code when accepted at the Post Office. If it is for Priority Packages, they basically have to do nothing. If it is for Parcel Post packages, they still don't scan it, but add an additional $0.12 PVI stamp to the package.
You receipt is the second half of the print out - which includes all the information. If you like you can have the Post Office place their stamp on that where it indicates to. There is NO CHARGE for doing so.
Delivery confirmation is a service that tells you when the package was delivered. It is not to tell you when the package was mailed or when it arrived at a main processing plant.
Many times (actually on all of my packages that I have checked)the d/c on the package is scanned when it reaches the main processing plant in Maryland (where I live) and again at the main processing plant where the buyer lives, and again when it is delivered to the buyer. But all the scans before it reaches the buyer, are free added bonuses, they are not a guarentee. They should not be expected.
so to answer your question. Your half of the lable (the receipt part) with the USPS postmark over top of the "USPS Postmark Here" is proof that you mailed the item.
posted on February 23, 2002 01:37:31 PM new
Thanks everyone for the tips - I downloaded Shipping Assistant and signed up. Then I filled out a a test shipping label, then I clicked on submit and clicked on display label and I got an error message:
"There is a problem trying to use the image display module - use an external image viewer application to view the labels"
?? Does anyone know what this means and how I get around it?
posted on February 23, 2002 01:38:53 PM new
Postal clerk will not scan the barcode, but the mail carrier will. So, if you can drop the packages off with a postal carrier, they will scan the packages into their little reader. I wish I had one of those things...
posted on February 23, 2002 01:43:53 PM new
For those of you using Endicia, and aren't having your carrier do a "pickup scan", you might consider routing your customer (package recipient) to
Have them recipient type in the DC tracking code (you can automatically Email them that DC number with Endicia by going into the postage log).
When the customer inputs that DC number they will see an independent confirmation from Endicia's postage system showing that you indeed created a mailing label on a given date/time, destined to their address, weighing yy lbs, and that you paid out $xx in postage for the label.
Now this is not rock-solid proof that you turned the package over to the USPS for delivery, but it does give your customer one more level of assurance that you were acting in good faith.
P.S. This was originally implemented as a package security feature for the USPS and FAA. And the Endicia mailer can specify how much information we divulge -- the default is just what you would see on the package (postage, weight, date of label creation, origin ZIP5). If the Endicia mailer wants to, we will also show mailer's name/address, phone number, email, and package description on that web page.
posted on February 23, 2002 01:50:36 PM new
Dear Harry,
http://www.endicia.com/status.cfm?pic=
This is the URL I have been using to append the DC URL. Can the /auth have query strings attached, so when my buyer goes to the link it goes directly to their specific package? As it stands now, the buyer has to go to the link then paste in the number. I like the extra information in /auth but not the inconvenience of having copy/paste.
posted on February 23, 2002 01:59:51 PM new
KelliLou: I think this will fix your problem.....Go and download Acrobat (free) Reader 5.0 (I think). You can use the direct link that was posted when you downloaded shipping assistant.
There appears to be an issue in that Acrobat has to be loaded after Shipping Assistant. Cant say why, but remember having the same issue and another poster gave me this same advice.
Let us know how you make out - its really a good program as long as you get through the qualifications.
I recall the Post Master reminding me that I need to maintain a 95% accuracy when printing D.C. and labels. - If this is true be careful about your mistakes on D.C.....I'm guessing that they track the completed deliveries.
Also when you type in a delivery address - remember to click the (Check Address button?)
It will not automatically confirm the address like the web site label did.
Hope this is accurate and helpful - Let us know
chc
posted on February 23, 2002 02:09:07 PM new
look at it from a different perspective- we paid the post office to deliver the package .
AND WE HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA 40 CENTS TO PROVE THEY HAVE DONE THEIR JOB??
another 40 cents??on top of what we have paid already,and how about 75 cents for mailing certificate to say we mailed the package and how about 1.75 for signature ,how about another 1.10 for insurance which they can say-there is no external damage so it is not our fault??
posted on February 23, 2002 02:22:16 PM new
ccaswell:
Thanks!! I downloaded Adobe Acrobat 5.0.5 and it worked beautifully. I'm anxious to start using the new labels, and curious as to what the clerk will say when I ask him/her to postmark my receipt!
posted on February 23, 2002 06:26:16 PM new
When I first heard about eDC I was skeptical, but figured "what the heck."
The first time I brought a Priority package with an eLabel to my local PO I had to explain that there was no additional charge.
Since there are 6 different clerks I had to explain the same thing to each one of them. None had heard of this, but accepted my word after looking something up on their system.
The provisional postmaster came to see me the other day to let me know that I was one of only three regulars to use the service. I told her I spend much too much time on the computer - but this was too easy a cost savings measure to pass up.
If they made an easier method for getting names into Shipping Assistant, I'd use it all of the time as well. It sure comes in handy when the USPS web site is slow.
