wendywins
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posted on June 25, 2003 06:16:49 PM new
I just got back from my local post office and they told me that they would no longer accept eDC on first class packages for $0.13. They said that as part of the user agreement, you can't alter a priority mail label in any way (including cutting off the top to use it as first class).
I ship close to 300 packages a month with 90%+ being first class and use this on EVERY single package.
I asked them why it's in their system to charge $0.13 for first class. I pointed out that if this program was truely "illegal" as they claim, their system would just add on $0.55 for normal first class DC instead of the special eDC rate!
So...my question becomes:
Is there any truth to this AND
I'm off to Endicia--who wants a referral?
Wendy
[ edited by wendywins on Jun 25, 2003 06:17 PM ]
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BIGPEEPA
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posted on June 25, 2003 06:38:43 PM new
Hi, I think your problem is you cutting off labels. We just mailed several first class packages today with .13 cent DC no problem but my labels say FCM. My sister had the same problem she didn't download the Post Office program right and could only print Priority labels. If you download the program right there is a little drop box with the different ways to mail and it will say on your label how your package is being mailed.
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Libra63
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posted on June 25, 2003 06:40:09 PM new
Okay if that is what they are saying why on their website in the FAQ do they have this.
Q. For what type of mail is Delivery Confirmation available?
A. Delivery Confirmation service is available for domestic Priority Mail and for parcels mailed at First-Class Mail and Package Services rates.
If that is true then they have to do a major overhall on their website. Everything writtin there says you can have DC for 1st class package...I don't understand stand why we can't because it gives the postal service more money. I bet if they stopped that they would have a major reduction in revenue
and also more packages lost...
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Libra63
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posted on June 25, 2003 06:42:30 PM new
bigpeepa. Does your label say First class?
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capotasto
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posted on June 25, 2003 06:56:26 PM new
bigpeepa, I don't download no program, I just type the label at the USPS site, then print it. It's a priority label, and for media etc I cut off the priority part. Of course my receipt part says priority...
So what's this program you refer to? Got a URL?
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wendywins
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posted on June 25, 2003 07:01:34 PM new
I've never seen a download to print first class postage. The one I use with Click-n-Ship just offers Prioirity mail and Express mail and I cut the top off the label.
This post office I went to is my TEENY TINY local one where I had to explain to them the whole eDC process to begin with! They always joked that I'm the only one who uses the online system.
Anything you read about DC on their website refers to First Class mail but perhaps I'm using the wrong format? I've mailed thousands of packages with the same type of label and never a problem. I did print out ALL the pages referring to this on the site and will take it in with me the next time I visit that PO.
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bear1949
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posted on June 25, 2003 07:40:45 PM new
If you want to print 1st class postage w/eDC with USPS software you must download & install the "USPS Shipping Assistant 2.2" from the postal service web site.
So you might as well install Dazzle from Endicia.com
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sapington
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posted on June 25, 2003 07:45:53 PM new
You can download the shipping assistant from the USPS website for free but you might as well use the free Endicia 1 month trial first.
You can use this link if you want:
http://www.endicia.com/default.cfm?referredby=a178
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mauibabbe
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posted on June 25, 2003 08:03:13 PM new
I just began shipping with the First Class Label by using the Shipping Assistant program that you can get from the PO site. It is great. You can also ship Media Mail with the .13 label. Once you get it downloaded, you just use the click on tabs at the top of the page. There is also a little tab to get the Zip code with the 4 digit extension too.
Try downloading this program, it takes no time at all to do.
I was forced by the PO to pay the .55 also for about 2 days when some great person at this site gave me the link. They don't like the idea of only charging me .13, too bad.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 25, 2003 11:19:45 PM new
All this talk about Shipping Assistant and nobody's going to post a link?
http://www.uspswebtools.com/ShippingAssistant/SA_splash.htm
And here's the page you should print out to show your postal droids:
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/extraservices/optionalserviceandfeaturefees.htm#DeliveryConfirmation
Make extra copies for them. The window clerks don't have this info in an "official" format.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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tomwiii
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posted on June 26, 2003 01:02:39 AM new
I've been warning for months that folks would get in trouble cutting off the PRIORITY DC label & using it for other mail classes -- the numbers are different for each 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.
USE the PO's clunky java-choked software, or use ENDICIA for ALL yer mailing needs -- Ralphie highly recommends it:
http://tinyurl.com/299k
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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BIGPEEPA
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posted on June 26, 2003 04:59:28 AM new
Fluffy, You were the only one smart enough to find the URL for this gal. I downloaded the program months ago and couldn't find it again. Oh well once a dumb hillbilly always a dumb hillbilly. Keep up the good work fluffy.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 26, 2003 06:56:25 AM new
bigpeepa: Aw shucks, waren't nuthin'.
I keep this stuff bookmarked, and a good thing too since I recently had to install SA on a new Windows machine.
Folks: USPS is cracking down on many practices we are used to, or, in some cases, have been told by window clerks that it is perfectly OK.
I ship many 1 lb. lots of scrap metal, paying nearly $6 apiece Priority Mail. My local clerk pointed out I could use the Flat Rate Envelope and save some serious cash. $3.85 vs. $6 -- yow!
Unfortunately, the fine print on the envelope says it is for "documents" only. The Powers That Be have decided to enforce that.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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shawnb1
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posted on June 26, 2003 11:18:06 AM new
If I understand correctly, eDC can only be used on First Class mail if the package is more than a certain thickness. Not sure how much, is it 1/4" or 1/2"? Anyway, if you use Dazzle through Endicia you get a popup box that says that when you choose eDC for First Class mail. Endicia is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned!
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tomwiii
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posted on June 26, 2003 11:42:51 AM new
Either BOXED or in envelope with minimum center thickness of 3/4"
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 26, 2003 12:12:40 PM new
shawnb1: I respectfully disagree. I did not find that Endicia was the "only way to go". I understand that some people like it, much like many people were jumping on the PayPal bandwagon at first. But it will not fit everyone's needs or plan and it does not fit mine.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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wendywins
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posted on June 26, 2003 04:05:24 PM new
Thanks a gazillion for the link, Fluffy! I'm going to take it to the post office today along with every page I printed about eDC and re-educate them...again!
I've looked at Endicia a million times over but the USPS site continues to do what I need. Maybe as my competition fizzles out I'll kick up my handling fees a tad, and go with Stealth Mode. Someday soon....
Wendy
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mypostingid
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posted on June 26, 2003 05:03:14 PM new
Fluffy, you wrote: "Unfortunately, the fine print on the envelope says it is for "documents" only. The Powers That Be have decided to enforce that."
Whoa! For the price difference, it might be worth asking your posties to back that up with a reg or a cite from the USPS website. I've always thought the "documents" language was illustrative, but not exclusive.
I looked on the website and I found this quote (at several places):
"Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope - $3.85, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service."
matter would seem to me to include more than just documents.
I'd inquire up the postal food chain until you get a favorable ruling. Good luck!
MPI
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 26, 2003 07:03:14 PM new
Hi mypostingid:
My local clerks just had a training session and they were pointed to the fine print on the PM Flat Rate envelope that says:
"You don't have to weigh the envelope...Just pack all your correspondence and documents inside and pay only the FLAT RATE Priority Mail postage."
Now, this could be one trainer's incorrect interpretation. But I'll research it further. Thanks.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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bear1949
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posted on June 26, 2003 08:47:16 PM new
Fluffy, I just looked at my newest supply of flat rate envelopes & no where on them does it say anything about the contents limited to doccuments.
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sapington
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posted on June 26, 2003 09:40:50 PM new
I put every sort of junk in them and never had a complaint from the post office.
They did tell me that that called the Post Master at the main post office to check the next day after I dropped off a 40 Lb envelope and they were told that they have to take any flat rate envelope that is closed all they way.
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sparkz
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posted on June 26, 2003 10:41:50 PM new
A 40 pound envelope? What are you selling, buckshot or manhole covers???
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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tomwiii
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posted on June 26, 2003 11:49:01 PM new
From what I've been told, you can put ANYTHING in, as long as you don't have to secure the envelope with EXTRA TAPE!
Urban legend??
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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maggielane
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posted on June 27, 2003 05:55:59 AM new
It sounds like you have correspondence to me. Websters: 1 a : the agreement of things with one another b : a particular similarity c : a relation between sets in which each member of one set is associated with one or more members of the other -- compare 2 a : communication by letters; also : the letters exchanged b : the news, information, or opinion contributed by a correspondent to a newspaper or periodical
Your shippment is the completing of an agreement. The problem is I have found if you have a disagreement with the PO you will not win. The only way I know to win is to go to another PO that understands the rules a little better.
I used to live where the PO said that the Web site was wrong on how to measure the size of International Packages. I brought in printouts from their web site and talked to supervisors, and to no avail I would always have to pay the rate for larger packages. I moved and changed PO's and I have never had a problem with the new PO.
I now have a good PO. They are always helpful and friendly, and let me drop off my packages at their dock. Is very nice around Christmas time when I have 50 packages to drop off at a time.
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
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canvid13
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posted on June 27, 2003 06:45:27 AM new
I love Endicia. .13 DC for my MEDIA MAIL shipments and free for Priority!
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stopwhining
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posted on June 27, 2003 07:12:18 AM new
i looked into endicia too.
i just cant afford to have more hardware cluttering my desk and endicia monthly fee is what 9.95??and you have to buy the paper from them??
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 27, 2003 08:25:35 AM new
I love Endicia. .13 DC for my MEDIA MAIL shipments and free for Priority!
Your second statement doesn't validate the first. Anyone can get cheap eDC for First Class, Media Mail, Parcel Post, etc.; they don't have to use Endicia.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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shawnb1
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posted on June 27, 2003 08:57:13 AM new
stopwhining:
What do you mean hardware cluttering your desk. Don't you already have a printer? And what is this about buying the paper from Endicia?? I use regular labels purchased from an office supply store. The ones I use now I actually got at a flea market. 200 half page labels for $6.00!! They are the perfect size.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 28, 2003 10:27:09 AM new
Well, I checked with another post office in another district about the PM Flat Rate envelopes.
They never heard of such a restriction. So if all else fails, I'll just drop my Flat Rate envelopes off there since I go there 3-4 times a week anyway.
In fact, Carol the clerk (a friend of mine for years) says the new Flat Rate envelopes don't even have the "documents" wording on them.
She also said it was okay to reinforce the seams of the Flat Rate envelope with tape (which I had heard was another no-no). In fact, she said she had just sent a blouse and a bottle of teriyaki sauce to her niece in FR packaging. I hope she wrapped that bottle well.
I am not hotcupoftea on Vendio.
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davebraun
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posted on June 28, 2003 10:43:43 PM new
I always put tape on the flat rate envelopes (they're flimsy), no problem at my local PO. Send quite a few daily.
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