kasue
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posted on November 25, 2002 01:36:38 PM new
When I was in the post office the other day, the clerk mentioned that some of my very fat envelopes qualify for free delivery confirmation just like Priority Mail. I can't find this on their website just the usual place for Priority and overnight mail. Can you help? Thank you.
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glassgrl
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posted on November 25, 2002 01:51:55 PM new
over a 3/4" qualify for dc. 13 cents if you use Shipping assistant 2.2
http://www.uspswebtools.com/ShippingAssistant/sa_DownloadApplication.htm
Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation for First–Class Mail Parcels
The Postal Service will add two new special service options for First–Class Mail parcels: Delivery Confirmation™ service and Signature Confirmation™ service. Both services will be available in manual (retail) and electronic options. The fees for Delivery Confirmation service will be $0.55 (retail) and $0.13 (electronic). The fees for Signature Confirmation service will be $1.80 (retail) and $1.30 (electronic).
For the purposes of adding Delivery Confirmation service or Signature Confirmation service, a First–Class Mail parcel is defined as any piece that:
(a) Has an address side with enough surface area to fit the delivery address, return address, postage, markings and endorsements, and special service label; and
(b) Is in a box or, if not in a box, is greater than 3/4–inch thick at its thickest point.
This definition will provide mailers many different packaging options for their First–Class Mail parcels.
My post office does not pull out their ruler. Usually if I just add a piece of bubble wrap to it they say it qualifies. I've done it at like 1/4" thick.
[ edited by glassgrl on Nov 25, 2002 02:07 PM ]
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robertsmithson
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posted on November 25, 2002 02:28:39 PM new
That was a typical postal clerk. She thought the electronic DC for First Class Mail was free. They should have to pass written tests every year to prove they know a few of the postal regulations and price structures.
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ahc3
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posted on November 25, 2002 04:06:51 PM new
It's not free, but at 13˘ it is a GOOD deal - plus you can use it for media mail and parcel post too. I won't send any packages out without it anymore.
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kasue
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posted on November 25, 2002 04:23:13 PM new
I downloaded Shipping Assistant V2.2 and registered. I tried to create a label and thought I did. It gave me a delivery confirmation number anyway. But I couldn't press anything that would make it print out the address and barcode like the regular free ones for Priority Mail. I guess this means I screwed the system up and better go back and find an instruction page before I try again.
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Libra63
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posted on November 25, 2002 04:32:35 PM new
You don't have to download anything to get the electronic Delivery confirmation just go the following webpage and start printing.
For Priority Mail leave the label intact, for 1st class cut the Priority part of the label off. Glue it to your package and yes the package has to be 1/2 to 3/4th inches think. A flat envelope does not qualify. When you take it to the PO hand it to the Postal Clerk and Say 1st class then she will punch that in and tell her to scan the DC label and the 13 cent price comes up automatically.
http://shiplabel.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi?
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kasue
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posted on November 25, 2002 04:38:33 PM new
You mean the bar code only indicates the beginning and destinations? If the package gets lost, they won't be looking for it in the Priority Mail pile and not the 1st Class pile if I just cut off the Priority Mail section?
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rarriffle
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posted on November 25, 2002 04:49:47 PM new
I tried that on a package today. When dear hubby took it to the PO the clerk said it was still Priority and made him pay priority price instead of 1st class.
And, yes I did cut off the priority part of the label.
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ahc3
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posted on November 25, 2002 05:01:47 PM new
kasue,
Here is what you do
After you fill out all the info, click on the SUBMIT button - That will assign a DC number. THEN, click on the DISPLAY LABEL button - What should happen is that Adobe Acrobat should come up with the label, and you can print from there.
If nothing happens, it probably means you don't have adobe installed on your computer. It is free to get, and available at http://www.adobe.com/
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flowerj1
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posted on November 25, 2002 06:06:22 PM new
How much will I be charged if I use the electronic DC on a priority package?
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glassgrl
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posted on November 25, 2002 06:10:38 PM new
kasue...this may sound kind of stupid, but after you downloaded 2.2, did you shut your computer down and start it back up? I can't remember if I had to do it with 2.2, but with most programs you download, you have to restart your computer.
and the button to show the label is marked "display label".
I use the program a lot, just to check and make sure it's a valid shipping address, without printing out the label. At least that way you stand a good chance of the package making it to where it's supposed to go. I have had a few addresses where it won't accept it. Usually the customer has left something out of the address.
[ edited by glassgrl on Nov 25, 2002 06:12 PM ]
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vvalhalla
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posted on November 25, 2002 06:13:16 PM new
eDC is free with priority shipping.
dd
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sanmar
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posted on November 25, 2002 07:14:54 PM new
If you cut off th top part of the Priority Mail Label. The PO cannot charge you for Priority Mail. The label no longer says Priority Mail & can be used for any type of mailing. I even use them for FedEx Grounf & Parcel Post w/o any problems.
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Libra63
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posted on November 25, 2002 08:45:17 PM new
Kasue-USPS Notice 123, Ratefold effective June 30, 2002 posted April 23,2002
On page 4 second column under the heading delivery confirmation it states First-Class mail. Retail 55 cents Electronic 13 cents.
Refer your postal clerk to that bulletin when you go in their.
Now we have to educated the postal clerks also.
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nnt
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posted on November 26, 2002 06:22:01 AM new
Thank you - THank you All
I did, indeed, print off a sample label and printed the part of it being available for other Package Services parceols, which includes Parcel Post, Media Mail, etc.
Now, can someone tell me the advantage of downloading the '2.2' program.
Is there other useful things or could I just use the link someone posted to print the delivery confirmations.
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Libra63
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posted on November 26, 2002 07:35:50 AM new
I didn't download anything I just go the the web address below put in my information and then print. I have no idea if adobe 2.2 is any better but this is easy. When you get done with one label at the bottom of the page it asks you if you want to print another and if you do click that. Your information stays there and all you have to type in is your buyers address.
http://shiplabel.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi?
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glassgrl
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posted on November 26, 2002 01:57:59 PM new
Libra63, that's SHIPPING ASSISTANT 2.2 (not adobe!)and you will only need to download it if you want to print delivery confirmation for anything OTHER than Priority Mail, for example, Media Mail, Parcel Post........
Oh, BTW the USPS web site says this about cutting off the labels.....(although I have had the post office put their postage right on top of the Media Mail writing when they said it would be as cheap to send it first class)
"Q. Can I cut-off the PC Postage service part of the label (indicia) and use it separate from the online label?
A. No, online labels with PC Postage service can only be used as a whole, the way they were printed. Packages with postage cut from an online label will be returned to sender."
[ edited by glassgrl on Nov 26, 2002 02:00 PM ]
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hotcupoftea
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posted on November 28, 2002 07:43:03 PM new
Since today was a quiet day for me, and all I really had to do was cook a small turkey for my husband, I finally took the time to download Shipping Assistant.
Then I downloaded a newer version of Acrobat Reader.
Got everything installed.
A couple of half.com sales came in, so I printed Media Mail labels out using SA.
Question - Underneath Service Type, where I select PM, FC, MM, etc, there is weight. How does the weight correspond to the shipping label?
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ahc3
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posted on November 28, 2002 08:19:30 PM new
It is supposed to be the weight of the item you are shipping.
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Libra63
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posted on November 28, 2002 08:23:07 PM new
I always use the eDC from the USPS website for all my packages. I didnot download anything. Whether they be Priority, 1st class or Media Mail. This is how they work. Leave the label intack for Priority Mail. For 1st class and Media Mail cut the priority part of the label off. When the postal clerk enters the way the package is going then the computer accepts that way. Lets say it is 1st class. She enters 1st class, then when she scans the eDC it will automatically enter in the 13 cents because the computer has been instructed by her by putting in 1st class postage. The same for Media Mail 13 cents. The same for Priority Mail. She cannot scan the label first as I am sure the computer won't take it because no postage has been asked for. I hope I said this right.
The Post office where I go has not told me anything about downloading anything. I go to 3 different postoffices and they all do it the same.
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kasue
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posted on November 28, 2002 08:34:22 PM new
Since I already downloaded Shipping Assistant 2.2, I would like to print out at least one label with it! I hope ahc3 is still around. I did what you told me to do in the message above that you posted. Filled out the form, clicked on Submit, it assigned a delivery confirmation number, but Adobe Acrobat doesn't come up with the label. I checked and I have Adobe 4.0. I thought maybe I needed an update but got confused on there site. Some versions are free. There are several free versions. Which do I need or should Adobe Acrobat 4.0 have done it? Thank you.
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hotcupoftea
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posted on November 28, 2002 08:43:36 PM new
kasue, when I downloaded SA it said you need Acrobat Reader, version 5.0 or higher. Today I downloaded Acrobat Reader 5.1 from http://www.adobe.com, at least I think that is where I went.
ahc3, I know it is supposed to be the weight of the package. But how does it correlate to the shipping label since the post office weighs the package when I take it in? The label doesn't print the shipping cost on it, based on weight, just the addresses and bar code.
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ahc3
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posted on November 28, 2002 09:00:49 PM new
I think you should download version 5.1 of Adobe
It is at
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
That should work then. Be sure to restart your computer though.
I never thought about taking off the part of the label with the class of mail on it, as long as your post office accepts it, then great!
I've assumed that the information is stored in the barcode (even though shipping price is not included) - I don't really know what else it provides. Since they weigh the package anyway, not sure why we need to fill it out, but they will not let me process the label unless something is included there.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on November 28, 2002 09:48:56 PM new
I think it's dumb NOT to use Shipping Assistant to create the labels, since SA will email the tracking number to your customer. Gee, I'm happy to have USPS do the shipping notification.
But then, I think it's also dumb to repeatedly post incorrect information in any number of AW threads. I can't figure out why someone would do this. It doesn't make them look like an expert; it makes them look clueless.
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ewora
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posted on November 28, 2002 09:48:59 PM new
After you hit the submit button you have to hit the display label button which brings up your adobe acrobat with the label. The display label button is next to your exit button.
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ahc3
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posted on November 28, 2002 09:54:31 PM new
The email feature is REALLY nice actually, I also have a copy going to myself and it gets filed automatically in an email folder. That way if there is a problem, it takes almost no time to search my email instead of trying to figure out when I shipped, and going through my physical stack of DC receipts. Also, it does really make you look a bit more professional in my opinion. I suppose the reason more people don't use it is because the USPS doesn't really promote it very well...
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Libra63
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posted on November 29, 2002 03:59:52 AM new
The reason I don't want the USPS to send an email to my bidder because I consider that spam and now the USPS has that email address and they can sell that address. Not that they would but you never know. I usually don't tell the bidder I have put DC on my packages for the reason stated that if they tell me their package didn't arrive I have some proof. I think not telling them is a safer way. Now don't start telling me I am wrong as this is the way I do my business. I do have a question why would you download Adobe to get the shipping label when it is so easy just to go to the website and do it that way?
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glassgrl
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posted on November 29, 2002 05:10:05 AM new
Because the USPS says
"Q. Can I cut-off the PC Postage service part of the label (indicia) and use it separate from the online label?
A. No, online labels with PC Postage service can only be used as a whole, the way they were printed. Packages with postage cut from an online label will be returned to sender."
I would think that if all these people are printing out Priority Mail labels and the USPS has someway of counting labels printed versus shipped that they would start cracking down on it.
Yes they should offer different labels on their website or they should offer being able to print the postage via Shipping Assistant, but they don't...yet.
Which is why I assume they "ask" for shipping weight for media mail. It doesn't make any difference at this point if you enter the correct shipping weight that I know of.
I downloaded the program before they offered Priority Mail labels on their website and it's not a big deal to download and run. It has other features besides labels. Address book, check shipping addresses....
I guess it's one of those morality issues. I'm mailing media mail or first class mail etc., they have a program for it, I'll use it rather than trying to get away with using something other than for which it was intended.
I wouldn't go in a store and change the price labels just because it's higher priced in that store versus another.
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