posted on July 9, 2002 06:36:36 PM new
Why would I think that the USPS would put delivery confirmation on 1st class. I know that a flat letter didn't qualify but a 8 x 13 envelope with merchandise doesn't either. The mailing piece has to be 3/4 inch thick before it qualifies for DC confirmation and they check it. That means I have to pack my item in a box 3/4inches thick which will add about 30 cents to my envelope mailing and then they will add the 13 cents for DC. What a rip off. Well as I figure this out the postal service is going to make money hand over fist with their new charges and I for one would like not pad their wallets. Of course a simple increase would have been fine but with all the restrictions they are putting on our packages they will be making a ton of money. I also can't believe the 20 cent increase in insurance. If they wouldn't lose or damage so many packages we wouldn't have to claim insurance. Thanks for letting me vent.
[ edited by Libra63 on Jul 9, 2002 06:37 PM ]
[ edited by Libra63 on Jul 9, 2002 06:38 PM ]
posted on July 9, 2002 06:47:15 PM new
your post office must be picky, a I didn't have a problem at mine yesterday, and I mailed several packages that were 4" by 18" long and only at one end is is 3/4" thick, as I add candy to my packages.I also mailed a padded envelope that was 4 x 6, and had no problem.
Guess I lucked out at my PO.
One girl said they would "help" me out to make sure the label fit.I just cut it up, into 2peices. No problem.
posted on July 9, 2002 08:06:56 PM new
Well, this one is really picky.. I guess they are looking for the big bucks. I mailed a bubble envelope and the same kind of a clasp envelope at a different post office and they accepted them. I couldn't make it to the one that would take them because it was to far away. I will not go to my main one again. They are really unfriendly and I have nothing good to say about them. The other post office the girls are great.
posted on July 9, 2002 08:33:41 PM new
Why not shove a piece of bubblewrap into the envelope? That should fatten it up enough without adding any more weight.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on July 10, 2002 04:51:58 AM new
I complained about the new rates which are pure rape.....anyway they advised that because soo many people are now using fedex and ups we have to increase our rates!!!! i started laughing.....why not compete with UPS and FEDEX then you might get more business but they certainly not getting any more of mine
posted on July 10, 2002 06:38:35 AM new
What would have cost me 3.95 to mail a few days ago, yesterday cost me 5.40.
When I asked our usually very nice post master if she knew why they had this big increase and change up, she told me that the USPS was losing money! I asked her "does the Postal Service just not want to handle packages anymore? Because more people are going to start using other methods of shipping." I told her since so many online sales in the past few years were using the usps to ship how in the world could they be losing money? She jumped at me, which is highly unusual, and told me not to scream at her, she wasn't getting a raise! LOL I didn't scream at her! LOL But it sure seems that some other must have been! LOL
I have to find another way to ship some of my items. I just can't hardly go for this increase. I have been pretty easy going on all the others, but, this one is just to much.
posted on July 10, 2002 07:13:22 AM new
I'm still trying to figure out how the USPS backup this statement:
Overall, Priority Mail rates will increase an average of 13.5 percent.
Sure, the rate actually went down a bit for Zones 1-3, but compared to the enormous hikes for shipping to the other zones, I don't see how this could possible average out to 13.5%.
And if this "average" 13.5% was all they wanted, why not just hike the rates 13.5% across the board rather than forcing all this zoned nonsense on us? It would be a steep hike, but not nearly the headache that the zoned system is.
I imagine the mathematics was done by the same guy who decided that raising the price of stamps to 37 cents would encourage more people to use the USPS rather than pay bills online. Not surprisingly, this article indicates the opposite is likely to happen:
posted on July 10, 2002 07:20:53 AM new
I weight everything and mark on the package the total which is calculated on the USPS site. When I went to the PO the other day, guess what....the prices were higher than what was on the packages and in one of the flat envelopes, I had sent a bubble wrapped item. What I did not know was on the flat envelope (USPS) because it did not say "Flat Rate" they charged me $4.90 not $3.85 plus delivery confirmation. Also, my scales were correct, but I was informed that the USPS calculations were wrong...according to my PO. I complained loudly, and also informed them their new calculations site...sucks....Oh, and I got a large supply of envelopes that say "FLAT RATE"......
posted on July 10, 2002 07:22:47 AM new
The new postal rates are abominable! Moreover, I have found that the rates quoted at www.usps.com are woefully inaccurate and generally 15% to 25% lower than the actual costs.
It used to be that among Fed Ex Ground, USPS, and UPS Ground, I could count on USPS to be competitive for certain types of packages and/or to certain zones. However, my last two experiences with the Post Office have shown that they're non-competitive across the board.
The logic of the rate increases escapes me. Goodness, when business is down, the last thing you do is raise your prices.
But then, I guess USPS has to find a way to pay for all of those "Fly like an eagle" and other TV and radio commercials.
posted on July 10, 2002 07:25:24 AM new
My guy told me that part of the deal was that they couldn't raise rates again for 5 years. He added that ironically 5 years is exactly how long it's been since he's gotten a raise.
posted on July 10, 2002 07:56:56 AM new
This year our post office was completely rebuilt. New two story building, all new computers, a new software system (that is actually more work for the clerks), and a big new wing of PO boxes. A new store for stamps, goodies and other stuff that nobody buys.
For all these improvements, the counter where the clerks work is actually smaller than in the old building.
On a positive note, there is a FedEx drop box where I work.
If USPS thinks they can compete with FedEx and UPS by raising rates, I believe they will find they are mistaken.
posted on July 10, 2002 08:00:15 AM new
Yeah, USPS pulled this no-more-rate-increases-for-X-years before.
Guess what? They got into deep financial kimchi and had to go to begging for another rate increase before the X years were up.
Yep, they got it. And so did we.
If the Post Office wants to generate more business, they should look at fixing that mess they call customer service, not at further gouging the shipping public.
Or am I the only one who almost always has to stand in line and steam over the fact that at prime customer times my local Post Office has just two of the available five service desks open?
(And by the way, did you know that you can't buy a USPS Postal Money Order to pay a seller in Britain?)
Note that January '04 is less than 18 months away. And with this last go 'round, they got permission to implement the rate increase three months earlier than originally anticipated.
edited to add: Also keep in mind, foreign rates are scheduled to go up in January of 2003, and that's the same time the rumored fees for Priority Mail supplies will be introduced as well.
posted on July 10, 2002 02:35:16 PM newand I mailed several packages that were 4" by 18" long and only at one end is is 3/4" thick, as I add candy to my packages
Why do you add candy to your packages? If I were buying something from you, the candy would go directly into the garbage. I am sure I am not the only one that finds this odd.
posted on July 10, 2002 05:28:12 PM new
Doc got that right ~ bad as can be customer service ... at prime time my PO has 2 clerks if I am lucky ..sometimes only one!!
There is always a real long line .. have to wait usually 15 to 20 minutes and never fails .. someone in line storms out the door !!
And what kills me is the clerks never rush no mater how many people are waiting .. they take their good old time
The other day I drove by the PO twice and tons of cars in lot so kept on going .. went back a third time and still tons of cars in the lot .. had no choice but go in and wait my turn. And when I mailed my packages with new rates ... a vintage tablecloth from here (Philadelphia) to California $8.00++ Priority mail, talk about having a bad day Fedex here I come gina50
posted on July 10, 2002 06:01:38 PM new
I believe the 13% is the increase in the 1 pound priority rate from $3.50 to $3.85 - That is a little less than 13% - However, over a pound, and across the country, the rates are MUCH, MUCH higher. I just got back from vacation, so have not sent anything with the new rates. Are customers complaining, or just not bidding?
posted on July 10, 2002 06:04:13 PM new
revvassago
You may and others may find it odd, I find it is a way for me to say
THANK YOU To my buyers, and I enclose a bussiness card in with the hard candy. put them in a small/tiny ziplock bag. Mints, A&W rootbeer, Butterscotch.2-4 pieces.
I am sure some do throw the candy away, many, many have said Thank you for the candy.
You do it your way, and I will do it mine, I do have alot of repeat buyers, maybe they come back just for the candy.. you never know.
posted on July 10, 2002 06:20:39 PM new
Thanks all for responding. It sure is nice to have a service that appreciates us - NOT If there was only another way to do this. What ever happened to free enterprise? Also what would happen if all of the sellers on ebay quit selling for about 3 weeks? I know it would be tough but manybe that is what we will have to do. That way the USPS, eBay and PayPal won't make the big bucks. I know as a seller I only make little bucks after I spend my money trying to sell, get paid and mail. Translated that means Pay ebay, PayPal and USPS then last but not least me.
[ edited by Libra63 on Jul 10, 2002 06:22 PM ]
Fedex here I come 
gina50