posted on March 10, 2002 01:36:38 PM newSomeone posted this on one of the boards I read so I thought i'd pass it on. As stated this is not my writing so if you disagree please remember i'm just passing it on.
1. DO NOT mail beads, buttons, keys, pens, coins etc. in an unpadded
envelope. The automation equipment will not tolerate anything but paper
contents in an envelope. Use a bubble mailer for anything but paper
letters. If you will not or can not buy a bubble envelope, wrap the
contents in a paper towel and write "MANUAL MAIL" in big red letters on
both sides of the envelope. I advise against this, but someone at the
cancelling machine MIGHT see it and set it aside to be processed by
hand.
2. ALWAYS use your return address. I used to send trays of mail to the
Mail Recover Center which had no return address and had no postage or
the delivery address was illedgable. This is most common with monthly
bills and tax returns, and I don't think you want those to sit at the
MRC until an authorized employee opens it to get your address off the
check. It can take a month or more. In the upper-right corner of the
envelope, if it says "Place stamp here. Post Office will not deliver
without propper postage", your letter WILL NOT be sent on as "postage
due".
3. Only express mail is guaranteed. Depending on the origination and
destination, it can take 1-3 days. Overnight experss is not available
to all areas. Obviously overseas experss can't be delivered next day
either. You must submit the mail before the cut-off time (usually
3:30-4 PM) for it to be sent out that day. If you miss the cut-off,
your letter will count as being sent the following day.
4. Only express and registered mail are treated "special" and accounted
for every step of the way. If you have something irreplaceable or are
mailing cash (which I don't recommend), send it by one of these
methods. It is VERY rare to have one of these get lost.
5. Priority mail is NOT guaranteed. It usually arrives a little faster
(depending how far it's going), but the "2-3 days" thing is only an
approximation. If it HAS TO BE THERE by a certain day and/or time, use
experss mail service.
6.So, you sent the check or parcel, didn't insure it or anything, and
it never arrived. You ask the PO if they can find it and they said
"No", right? WRONG! You need to file a PS-1510 inquiry for lost or
stolen mail. This is a free service. An inquiry will be sent to all the
dead letter offices, so if it can be found this will work. Do this if
you mailed it at least 10 business days ago.
7. There is no "10 item limit" rule. This was a temporary thing from
when UPS was on strike because postal customers were having to wait too
long and this kept the lines moving. I advise you to call ahead,
especially if you have a small PO. Usually you can work out a time when
there will be extra help available and the lobby isn't too busy. It's
also a good idea to fill out all your forms BEFORE you get in line. Not
doing it is just plain rude.
8. Customer service cards are available in every PO lobby. Fill out one
of these if you are having a problem and are being treated badly. This
card MUST be replied to. If you continually get bad service and no
resolution, you can go to your local Congress-person, Senator or State
Rep.'s office. They can get results. Please remember these cards can be
used to COMPLIMENT too! If you receive good service or have a clerk who
is especially helpful, fill out one of these. They are postage-paid so
all it takes is a minute of your time.
9. Do not turn priority boxes inside-out. You can be fined if you're
caught. Your local hardware store should be happy to give you their
extra boxes. There are many different sizes of priority boxes available
and not all can be found in your PO lobby. You can see what's available
at www.usps.gov and have them delivered right to your door for no extra
charge. These boxes are often stolen from lobbies and so they don't
usually put out a large supply or want to give you a lot at one time.
10. When you receive a damaged parcel and go to fill out the insurance
claim form, DO NOT surrender the parcel. An exchange is done when your
claim is approved and you pick up the money. You can't keep the item
AND the insurance money. Damaged goods are sent to your district HQ and
sold at auction to the public. If your claim is denied, you can file an
appeal.
11. ALWAYS keep your receipts! Trust me on this...
12. Postal money orders are a great value. They cost under $1 and can
be redeemed at your PO as well as the bank. You get a carbon copy for
your records and they are easily traced. It is significantly cheaper to
do, usually under $3, vs. $8+ for the others. Keep that in mind. When
you do go to the PO to cash in your MO, it's a good idea not to do it
first thing in the morning. Clerks start the day with $100 or so and
won't be able to pay out a lot until later.
13. You can pick up a customer ratefold at the PO, which will contain a
great deal of valuable shipping information. The same info is available
on line at www.usps.gov Everything you need to know about weight limits
and shipping options can be found there.
14. Mail can be delayed by weather and natural disasters. No kidding,
right? Take into consideration if your mail is going through one of the
main hubs (like Denver, the east-west hub) and there has been a
blizzard or flood or quake, it will have to be re-routed. This causes
backups in surrounding areas too. If a seller doesn't receive payment
or the buyer doesn't receive the item, check to see that there hasn't
been a disaster between the two of you. If the item hasn't arrived
within 10 business days, you can file a PS-1510 inquiry.
15. Make sure you writing is easily readable. Automation equipment
"looks" at the address and sorts the mail, so make sure it's ledgable.
Do not spell out numerical addresses - write 10th Street, not tenth
street. Make sure you leave some space between the street number and
the house number so the computer doesn't get confused. "11236th
street" can't be determined as 6th street or 36th street or 236th
street. This IS important. The zip+4 will assist here too.
posted on March 10, 2002 03:21:04 PM new
Thanks for the heads up!
However, if it actually HAS to be there on a certain day DO NOT rely on the postal service. NEXT DAY AIR for me has taken up to 7 days to arrive.
UPS always delivers next day. The trucks used to drop off next day air packages at my store to be picked up by the truck on his way out. One day one of the clerks DID NOT give the package to the UPS guy. The next day I found the package ... and UPS chartered a plane to fly it to its destination! It was delivered to the customer on the next day ... at great additional costs to UPS.
posted on March 10, 2002 04:21:22 PM new
Becky, I agree about UPS and their great customer service. About two months ago I started a daily UPS pickup account. I am very impressed with the service i've received to date to include claims settled in an expedient manner. I can call them 7/24 and get answers to problems and online help that is outstanding. There is always a LIVE intelligent person to talk to.
Over 50% of the items I sell is very heavy (cast iron)items so over five pounds so it is shipped by UPS ground.
I expect to send everything UPS when the new postal rates take effect with zone shipping for items over one pound.
posted on March 10, 2002 07:17:00 PM new
I have used UPS for about a year now and LOVE IT. They are much much cheaper than sending it Priority if it is over 4-5 pounds. Yes, you have to have your own boxes and tape but I go to the local box company and get rejects that they made for a company that didn't want them for pennies and I buy in bulk. Tape can be bought real cheap if you buy in bulk. Plus with UPS, EVERYTHING IS INSURED upto $100 and only 35 cents for each additional $100 and you get a tracking number and NO LINES AT THE POST OFFICE!!!
You do pay a weekly charge depending on your usage. Ranges from $7-$11 (I think) but for me that is worth the time I used to stand in line at the post office 4 times a week.
They do give you free labels to use to print your addresses on. I love them.
posted on March 11, 2002 07:37:47 AM new
I Love UPS. I have eight boxes to ship UPS this morning. Needless to say they are being shipped from California to New York and other areas in between.
As stated earlier I ship heavy cast iron products and it isn't uncommon to ship a box that weighs 40 - 60 pounds. With UPS the shipping is reasonable. Before I started using UPS I had very few customers for the heavy items I sell because shipping by Priority Mail was very expensive. My business has now doubled for I can ship to the West or East coast at a reasonable rate.
The cost for home pick up runs $7.00 to $28.00 per week. The less you ship the higher the rate. My weekly fee has always been $7.00 and I ship from one to twelve boxes each day.
The software furnished by UPS is simple to use and support is top notch 7/24. Don't know why I didn't try it years ago.
