posted on July 7, 2005 02:52:52 PM new
OK ... You all are NOT going to believe this one!
I received a return call from Consumer Affairs at the USPS. Now, mind you, this is SUPPOSED to be the know-all resolve problems center for the USPS.
The lady (I won't mention her name) asked me what was going on. I explained about the problems that I was having with my postal carrier squooshing my packages into the tiny box instead of giving me a pickup ticket or delivering it to my door. (Interesting to note that my regular carrier is off on Thursdays and today I received a package marked "Do Not Bend" on my doorstep from the substitute.) She stated that she will talk with the supervisor and get the problem rectified.
Then I explained about the problems that I am having with my post office scanning my DC packages (with Shipping Assistant). I said that I'm afraid to go in there because although he said he would have my 1st class items scanned, there was no mention about my media mail items and I didn't want another confrontation. She said, get this ...
"I DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SCAN THOSE."
And this is the person that is supposed to be helping me?
posted on July 7, 2005 05:34:50 PM new
Bizzy, I was under the impression they are scanned at the delivery post office? Is that incorrect?
The post office over here told me once you print them from the USPS site, they are in their computer (thats how the number gets generated) and they dont need to be scanned upon mailing, only upon delivering? It all sounds so complicated to me. I have bought things from ebayer's that dont even use DC -- I guess I could claim, I never recieved it -- but I wouldnt do that...still I have to wonder how much harder or easier is their lives are. Do they have a ratio of people claiming they dont recieve the items? It didnt look like it to me from the sellers I purchased from!
posted on July 7, 2005 06:48:14 PM new
I usually print my own postage through PayPal, which gives me a DC free. My carrier picks up the pkgs at my my mailbox & away they go. The only time I go to the PO is when I am shipping outside of USA. I just shipped 1 to Canada & 2 to United Kingdom. Man I am glad I am selling & not buying. One box was $41.00 & the other $38.00 postage.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
posted on July 9, 2005 10:22:18 AM newThe post office over here told me once you print them from the USPS site, they are in their computer (thats how the number gets generated) and they dont need to be scanned upon mailing, only upon delivering?
Your post office is mis-informed. They are suppose to scam them to confirm that they actually received the packages. This is to not to be mistaken for tracking. DC isn't tracking, but they still need to activate the package. If you check online to see if your item was delivered, and no info is available on the package, this is the problem. The sending PO did not scan them as they should have.
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Alive in 2005
posted on July 9, 2005 10:39:35 AM new
I dont think so, Stone. It's a delivery confirmation, not a shipping confirmation. It is scanned upon delivery.
If you check online to see if your item was delivered, and no info is available on the package, this is the problem.
I think if you check online and there is no information, the delivery PO has not scanned the item. I have many times printed labels online and dropped them in a drop box. I dont think they get scanned on shipment. But the DC number is in the USPS System, and when it is delivered it gets scanned and thus the delivery confirmation is completed.
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Jul 9, 2005 10:42 AM ]
posted on July 9, 2005 11:34:51 AM new
dbl -- Don't be confused with USPS Shipping Assistant and Paypal, endicia, click -n- ship, etc.
First, E-DC is NOT free for first class and media mail. It is free for Priority Mail. So, when you use Endicia, Paypal, etc., you are being charged for the DC fee if you are shipping 1st class or media. However, it is ONLY $.13.
Shipping Assistant is different in that you cannot pay for your postage or E-dc charge. You can either put a bunch of stamps on the package, or you go to the post office and have them scan it in. Then you pay for the postage and E-dc charge. As an added bonus, online DC tracking now shows that at such and such a day and time the post office received the package.
However, when the postal service does not scan in a Shipping Assistant label, the USPS is getting cheated out of the $.13 e-dc fee.
posted on July 9, 2005 01:55:11 PM new
bizzycrocheting:
You have it right on the mark! To generate their computers to show .13 due THEY HAVE to scan the packages at point of origin. If they don't, the computer says 0.00 is due. Since no money is due for priority rate, they don't "have" to scan it but people could generate e-dc and get a number but that doesn't mean that the postal office received it for shipment.
I live near the Mpls International Airport 24/7 post office. One of only 11 open 365 days a year. That center has the scanning baby down pat. I've never had to say to anyone of them "uh....you need to scan that". I can't tell you how many postal stations in the Twin Cities suburbs I've been to that aren't scanning the non-priority packages.
They are losing the .13 on each shipment in the non-priority class! I figure just here in Minnesota its hundreds of dollars a day! Across the country........shutter to think!
They want postal increases but they are not collecting the money they are owed now as it is!
I really don't want to hear about what people do with PayPal generated payments etc....that's a whole different ball game. Even then, I question how much the postal office is losing.
This is just e-DC. The packages HAVE TO SCANNED AT POINT OF ORIGIN so the computer automatically advises the customer service agent that .13 is due. Yes, I've told many an agent, nicely, because most seem quite embarrassed to know that they were never advised to do so and that they haven't been doing it. I've had to walk through it with them as they operate their computers. Most all are 10 year+ employees with front counter service experience and most all I have dealt with take the job serious. I think the blame is solely on the managers of all the postal centers and higher up the chain of "command".
I don't think they deserve a postal increase until they prove they are collecting what they have been allowed. And its obvious not all e-DC users are being honest about paying that .13 otherwise this topic wouldn't be an issue. When the agents realize that .13 is due you can see not only the surprise, but the anger and the frustration just wash over their faces. They have all appreciated knowing but they also realize how much has slipped past now over the years without being charged.
posted on July 9, 2005 03:48:38 PM new
Yes diane, that is if you are using the first class or parcel post and the e-dc is not paid for. I dont use shipping assistant, so for your case, yes, you would have to pay for it to activate it.
I dont know why they dont upgrade the USPS site which also does print and pay or labels online ( only priority right) and the DC - to also include FC and PP. Does the shipper assistant let you pay online if you want to?
Toybuyer : you get a number but that doesn't mean that the postal office received it for shipment. The service is not about the post office receiving the shipment: it is a confirmation of the delivery of shipment. Thats all it is. Its been stated here a thousand times already. I would think if one doesnt pay for the DC and it attempted to be scanned,on delivery it comes up null and void so you wont be able to track it. The postal system is pretty dumb, but they're probably not that dumb, that they set it up to lose money on the service. If it comes up .00 you just dont get the confirmation service.
posted on July 9, 2005 04:20:40 PM new
dbl -- There is no way to pay for it online. That is why it is imperative for the postal clerks to scan them. Unfortunately, the label that is generated doesn't state "USPS Shipping Assistant", but you do get a second half for the the postal clerk to date-stamp that does state "USPS Shipping Assistant".
posted on July 9, 2005 04:59:56 PM new
I print my postage at home also, with Stamps.com, and the postal carrier picks them up. The scanning process takes place at the main postal facility in your city, before being sorted for shipping. Then again at the main destination post office, to show it has been received. When tracking, with DC number, you will see that. There is no need to scan it at the post office where it is dropped off. When printing postage at home, that shows that a label with DC has been generated, I have not encountered any problems in over two years, in regards to a package not being delivered!
The value of an item is not what you paid for it, nor what it is appraised for, but what you can get for it at auction.- Anonymous
posted on July 11, 2005 11:20:36 PM new
I'm not sure if I have missed something here, as you can print and pay for postage through eBay/PayPal, even if your customer does not pay with PayPal. Of course you need a PayPal account.
I print my labels at home with DC and leave at the mailbox for my mailperson. PayPal has discontinued the extra 20 cent fee for printing the label. So, you only pay for the cost of postage plus 13 cents for DC.
I rarely ever go to the P.O. Why stand in line, or take postal clerk abuse, when you can print at home and relax.
posted on July 11, 2005 11:33:58 PM new
Koz - because some sellers regularly ship overseas which requires going to the post office. Personally I don't bother with printing postage online and paying for labels etc for my US customers when I'm going to have to go to the post office and stand in line anyway to deal with my european customers packages.
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 13, 2005 11:10:51 AM new
The guy that delivers our mail hates me. I could not begin to imagine what would happen if he had to ride his horse up the hill and pick up packages everyday! He would probably burn my mailbox down. He won't even bring my Priority Mail boxes to me,I have to drive 10 miles and pick them up. I think I better stick to going to the Post Office in Middleburg everyday,at least I'm greeted by a friendly face and get great service.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
