pmelcher
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posted on November 8, 2012 07:56:05 AM new
Have you noticed that the Post Office now carries only the Flat Rate boxes? I have tried to order the other Priority boxes but they never arrive. Also, I think I read that they are going to charge $2.50 shipping on the Flat Rate boxes we order after the first of the year.
I do know they need to reduce costs but I sure will miss those handy boxes.
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Damariscotta
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posted on November 8, 2012 12:40:11 PM new
I just ordered some a few weeks ago and they arrived, and they appear to be orderable on the web site.
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pmelcher
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posted on November 9, 2012 12:16:43 PM new
Sounds good. The last two orders I sent never arrived. I will try again. Thank you!
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shagmidmod
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posted on November 9, 2012 05:46:54 PM new
Make sure you not only confirm your order, but also receive an email confirmation that the order has been fulfilled.
If they are going to start charging for delivery I am ordering my fill for next year in December.
Ironically, I have found myself shipping much more via USPS lately. I have done some cost and weight control and found that many items will qualify for 1st class mail or even fit the Flat Rate Box or padded envelopes.
I still don't get the "regional rate boxes". Anyone care to shed some light into how those are beneficial? The prices seem to be outrageous.
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lostmymojo
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posted on November 9, 2012 07:27:20 PM new
Arent they bigger boxes? and weight?
like shoe boxes?
[ edited by lostmymojo on Nov 9, 2012 07:27 PM ]
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lostmymojo
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posted on November 9, 2012 07:30:42 PM new
Found this on the web-
I was a bit slow to notice the regional flat rate boxes the postal service has added to their options. At first the boxes seemed like more trouble than benefit. Now I see real cost cutting possibilities.
Regional shipping is different than the regular flat rate boxes that have the same rate for all zones. It is also different than the regular postage rates that increase with each pound. Regional A boxes cost the 2 pound rate and have a 15 pound limit. Regional B boxes cost the 4 pound rate with a 20 pound limit.
The destination zones are based on the zip code that you are shipping from. I ship from Indiana, so places like California and Washington are more costly than Illinois or Michigan.
The boxes each come in two sizes. I don’t think these will be available at the post offices, so be sure and order yours online from the USPS. Also, the shipping labels must be printed online. The rates are no good at the post office counter.
If you ship small items that weigh over 2 pounds the smaller regional A boxes may save you some postage expense. My jigsaw puzzles won’t qualify because puzzles aren’t heavy for their size. Most of my puzzle inventory will require larger boxes or the weight will already be under 2 pounds. However, the regional boxes will be cost effective for shipments of books when they aren’t traveling far and need to arrive quickly.
The zone chart based on zip codes is the key to understanding how much money you can save. I am keeping a copy at my desk, along with the regional box rate chart so I can quickly determine when a regional box will be beneficial. The rate chart is easy to understand once you know the number of the zone you are shipping to.
Pricing
Boxes L 1 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8
A 4.97 5.08 5.58 7.15 7.83 8.36 9.37
B 5.81 6.88 8.06 10.51 12.29 13.12 14.62
You will find a much prettier chart on the postal web site. It is listed under Priority services and it is easy to print.
Unfortunately, the regional boxes are not an option in the eBay shipping calculator yet. I think there are plans to add the new boxes very soon. In the mean time it will be a matter of watching for the opportunities to save my customers some postage.
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shagmidmod
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posted on November 10, 2012 08:24:51 PM new
I saw similar info. I think the problem is having to choose the correct box and having objects that will fit within the limited sizes of the boxes. There is actually a very large Regional Rate box that is at least 12 x 12 x 12, maybe larger... but that is a Rate C or D.
This is very good for people shipping weights, lead, power tools, or other objects that weigh a lot.
For me it seems to complex to figure out without wasting too much time.
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wgonzales
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posted on November 11, 2012 11:37:59 AM new
Yes, shagmidmod. I agree that it is a waste of time figuring out all these so called shipping "bargains".
I ship ROCKS and have rarely, if ever, found flat rate boxes to be a lower price than regular calculated shipping.
Where there might be a savings, there is just not enough depth to allow crytals to ship safely.
I actually tried it twice at a customers insistence a couple of years ago; both times the items arrived damaged. Never agreed to go flat rate again.
[ edited by wgonzales on Nov 11, 2012 11:38 AM ]
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pmelcher
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posted on November 12, 2012 02:56:21 PM new
I got comfirmation that the boxes would be shipped in 7 to 10 days. Not happening since the first lot I ordered was Oct 7th. Oh well it was nice while it lasted. The 3 Post Offices I have asked for the regular Priority Boxes say they do not have any. One even told me I could order them.
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pmelcher
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posted on November 15, 2012 04:13:10 AM new
update -- I did get the last boxes I ordered, I guess it just takes time. Thanks for the encouragement.
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max40
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posted on November 21, 2012 09:57:46 AM new
Just received my order of #7 boxes.
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pmelcher
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posted on November 21, 2012 01:48:12 PM new
I think I am going to order som #4 before the end of the year, maybe yet this week. I use a lot of those. And I love the Flat Rate padded envelopes, you can stuff an amazing amount of soft goods into those!
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drjackk
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posted on November 25, 2012 07:00:57 AM new
The post office is not shipping priority mail boxes to post offices. Many employees have went to ordering them for home, and bringing them in to the local post office. I have done that for two years for my local post office, IE order a few extra cases of boxes and give them to the local post office.
the postal authorities are pushing the paid for boxes, and downplaying the priority mail rate boxes. No info on them stop shipping the regular boxes for private individuals.
I think the post office would be smart to charge like 5 cents per box. This would end those who order large quantities of boxes and never use them. This happens quite fequently. This would be a small revenue builder for the postal service, not an unfair charge on the shipper to pay a nominal fee for them, and would greatly reduce waste and the cost of shipping the boxes.
Don
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merrie
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posted on November 30, 2012 10:27:00 AM new
Just an update. Ordered a bunch of priority boxes on 11/26. Most arrived today 11/30. Sometimes it depends on your carrier, they can't be bothered delivering them right away.
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lostmymojo
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posted on November 30, 2012 02:35:50 PM new
USPS supplies come from one central location,they ship to our local post office and they bring them to us,some smaller pieces like labels can come pretty fast,but the big boxes take a long time
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merrie
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posted on November 30, 2012 02:56:39 PM new
I ordered 6 boxes of 25 each. They were delivered 4 days after order. My regular carrier put them near my door.
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