bdunique
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posted on March 4, 2002 02:25:39 PM new
Our order volume has now increased to the point where it probably makes sense for us to get into online postage and insurance -- IF it works as well as advertised. Before jumping into anything I thought it would be wise for me to solicit input from my esteemed colleagues regarding which service to use, which to avoid, or any experiences you might share.
Any/all comments welcomed and helpful.
Thanks in advance,
bdunique
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alwaysbroke
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posted on March 4, 2002 02:32:56 PM new
There were some good comments in this thread. It's only 3 pages and might be helpful:
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=451958
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bdunique
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posted on March 4, 2002 03:34:10 PM new
Thanks! Out of curiosity, how were you able to find this? Strangely, I couldn't find any means to search through these helpful posts. Surely AuctionWatch must know a search capability is both common and essential?
Onward and Upward,
--bdunique
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on March 4, 2002 03:53:46 PM new
We don't have this page formally posted on our Web site yet, but this gives you a description of how Endicia PC postage interfaces with UPIC insurance:
http://www.endicia.com/endicia-usa/Site/insurance.cfm
Insurance was the very last reason Endicia users would still have to go to the PO. Now they can mail and insure their packages without leaving their home or business.
[email protected]
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dacreson
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posted on March 4, 2002 04:24:14 PM new
"Insurance was the very last reason Endicia users would still have to go to the PO. Now they can mail and insure their packages without leaving their home or business"
What about registered mail, Custom forms, Proof of insurance, Proof of Delivery confirmation?
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tomwiii
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posted on March 4, 2002 04:33:53 PM new
True! BUT...
In reality, the only time I have to go to the PO now is to mail international items.
I'm very COMFORTABLE with ELECTRONIC DC and PIC insurance.
The nice thing about PIC is the $1.00 charge for INTERNATIONAL mailings such as AIRMAIL LETTER POST & SURFACE LETTER POST! Un-available through the PO & FAR CHEAPER than registered!
The few dollars/mo I pay ENDICIA.COM is chump-change & well worth it considering how much easier Harry's company has made my life!
For me, it is so rare to bump into an online company that I TRUST and ENJOY -- ENDICIA is definitely my TOP choice for all my POSTAGE needs!
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on March 4, 2002 04:38:14 PM new
dacreson
What about registered mail, Custom forms, Proof of insurance, Proof of Delivery confirmation?
I can't contest your comment -- there will *always* be occasions that require a visit to the PO lobby. But for the bulk of our customers -- and we heard time and time again -- insurance was the only thing driving them to the retail line.
WRT registered mail, I would think that a lot of folks could use the USPS signature confirmation option we offer ($1.25) in lieu of registered or certified. There may be some legal situations where this is not possible.
WRT proof of insurance, I'm not sure where this is required (perhaps by a buyer?) but with UPIC it doesn't seem to be an issue. If you indicate at the time you print a postage label that the package has a value, and you are signed up with UPIC, that package *is* insured.
WRT customs forms, if you are using the short customs form, your package is < 16 oz, and you are using PC postage or a postage meter, you can deposit the package (with the attached custom form) in any mail box.
I'm not sure what you mean by "Proof of Delivery Confirmation", but our users have a log of every postage transaction. If that transaction has an associated electronic DC, that number is also in the log. That association (the postage transaction and linked DC number) is also stored on our servers (see www.endicia.com/auth).
[email protected]
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bidsbids
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posted on March 4, 2002 05:07:23 PM new
AW had an excellent search the message center function up until a month or two. They must really be desperate for money to pull the plug on it.
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alwaysbroke
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posted on March 4, 2002 05:11:26 PM new
bdunique
I had been following and keeping notes on that thread - that's how I found it. I'm glad it was helpful. Plus now you have new comments here from these more experienced users.
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AUCTIONMAN13211
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posted on March 4, 2002 05:20:00 PM new
I USE STAMPS.COM AND LOVE IT. I CAN DO CONFIRMATION, INSURANCE, PROOF OF DELIVERY ETC... RIGHT AT MY DESKTOP AND MY POSTMAN PICKS UP MY PACKAGES SO I DON'T HAVE TO STAND IN LONG LINES AT THE P.O. AUCTIONMAN13211
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vvalhalla
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posted on March 4, 2002 06:40:40 PM new
U-PIC insurance is price competitive and very convenient but there are draw backs. There are no Postal insured markings on the package when delivered. I recently had a buyer claim nondelivery and refuse to send a letter stating that the item was not received. Buyer did a credit card chargeback for non delivery. Credit card was used through a third party payment service, buyer lost the account but I still had to cover the chargeback. U-PIC will not pay a claim without a signed letter. I don't know that the USPS would pay a claim without the proper documents but I believe they would have investigated it. I also believe that the buyer received the package, saw there was no Postal insurance and knew he could demand replacement or refund.
I've decided that it's probably better to use USPS insurance on any credit card funded transaction. Never thought I'd have anything bad to say about U-PIC, I am disappointed.
dendude
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tomwiii
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posted on March 5, 2002 01:32:10 AM new
wallhala: did ya have DC on it? PIC offers descounted fees if ya use DC -- FREE on P-mail ans $0.12 on media mail (package services)!
If DC showed delivered, I'd consult with the POSTAL INSPECTORS...or at least advise the "buyer" that I was doing so!
I had one pretzel-choker try a cb on me! When I commiserated with him about the "fradulent" use of his cc & requested that he "help" the PI's track down the person who use his card...
IT'S A MIRACLE! the cb was cancelled as a "misunderstanding!"
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marcn
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posted on March 5, 2002 05:37:31 AM new
Are you sure U-PIC is still actually in business? I used U-PIC for a long time and then I received a letter that they had been split up and the new company was Package In Transit. Yet still the web site is U-PIC.com I used to deal with Candi there and she is very unresponsive when I was trying to get answers about the split up.
I just signed up with Endicia and see that there is an Endicia rep posting in this thread. I would like to hear Harry's thoughts on all this.
Regards,
Marc
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vvalhalla
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posted on March 5, 2002 05:38:17 AM new
Package weighed less than an ounce so priority with DC plus insurance was not a cost effective option. DC may indicate delivery however it does not prove delivery.
dendude
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vvalhalla
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posted on March 5, 2002 05:45:45 AM new
I've spoken with Candi quite recently and found her to be very helpful but she must abide by company policy. Not covering a bonafide (I have the email from the third party payment service) credit card chargeback for non delivery is a misguided company policy that should be reviewed.
dendude
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tomwiii
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:40:49 AM new
FREE seems pretty "cost-effective" to me!
You're not still useing that greasy kid's stuff (retail DC), are you? 
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alwaysbroke
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posted on March 5, 2002 07:32:54 AM new
tomwiii,
I've been using the free DC for 2 weeks, and everthing is running smoothly with the P.O. Thanks for the help.
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bdunique
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posted on March 5, 2002 01:39:19 PM new
Just wanted to say "thanks" to everyone who replied here -- some excellent information here and some good contacts. Very helpful to me.
Am deeply disappointed to learn that a forum search capability previously existed, but was removed by AuctionWatch. There is great intrinsic value in the wealth of knowledge dealers have posted here. Surely they're not thinking their dealers are "just supposed to know" where to go to find information? As a veteran software designer I can state with some certainty that forum search engines and the standard "canned" server routines that run them are pretty benign when set up correctly. If it was a bandwidth issue, an upgrade is overdue for sure. AW -- if you're reading this, PLEASE re-install your Db index drivers, fragment the files into dated archives to reduce access load times, and put the search capability back -- we need it!!!
Again, my deepest thanks to everyone who responded!
Onward and Upward,
--bdunique
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vvalhalla
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posted on March 5, 2002 02:42:18 PM new
DC is not currently available with first class mailings. It's not cost effective to ship an item that weighs less than an ounce priority.
dendude
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