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I went to my local post office today to send cars and took a spanking on rates.I already bought U-line boxes,bubble wrap,packing paper and tape.Now they tell me there is a specific weight combined with a new "Zone" policy.So from east coast to west coast could cost more than east to east and so forth.Sounds very confusing to me.I cannot find any websites on this subject.Thanks for any help.
Eric
It's getting unaffordable to ship further than a few hundred miles if your item is of any size or weight.
Go figure this, I mailed the same size and weight box east to a party who sent the same size and weight package to me, even exchange and it cost me more. Time to round up all the wild ponies in Nevada and start our own Pony Express!!
I have been disappointed in raises rates also. It has been making it difficult to guess what shipping will be. USPS is starting to be way thumbs down
[QUOTE=68Mustanger;401528]Go figure this, I mailed the same size and weight box east to a party who sent the same size and weight package to me, even exchange and it cost me more.[/QUOTE]
Now im really confused.Sounds like USPS doesnt have a clue either.When the postal worker tried to explain the "Zones" to me she had to hold herself back from laughing.
[QUOTE=Redline Rappe;401575]It has been making it difficult to guess what shipping will be.[/QUOTE]
Exactly.
Eric
Not to mention they are getting slower delivering packages as well. The other day i had to run around, looking for 3 boxes, that were supposed to be delivered already. I think it was some new people they hired. Darn ROOKIES!! Online is cheaper for shipping, they give you free boxes as well. Every little bit helps.
USPS has had zone deliveries for a few years now . They started doing it with 1 lb priority mail last year. They were doing it for the 2 lb (and higher boxes ) a few years before. ANyway, it truly sucks to ship 2lbs from NY to Cal. That's 10.20 now. Printing online saves you a bit but remember, you still foot the bill for printer ink and paper so I would guess it's about the same in the end. (Depends on how much printer ink costs you..)
Don't forget that if the box is more than a cubic foot and it weighs more than 2 lbs and you ship priority mail across the country, you will take a tremendous hit. Priority mail is outrageous for any box 2 lbs or more and more than 1 cubic foot. (that's 12 x 12 x12 " for you Math Einsteins out there. ) ANyway, if you are shipping a big box , make sure that you know the rates.
Go to [URL="http://www.usps.com"]www.usps.com[/URL] for the rates.
You write your zipcode and then you write the other person's zipcode.
If you want to list an item, assume that they live in the farthest zipcode and use that rate. FOr me, since I'm in NY, I always use a Cal. zipcode to find the rates.
If you are shipping across the country and the box is more than a cubic foot, parcel post will be cheaper but keep in mind that it will take longer.
The post office does have less employees now than years before. So yes, I have noticed longer lines but what else can you do if you want to sell? UPS is more expensive and absolutely abhor those 4 page forms that you need to fill out inorder to ship a box and their website is a mess to navigate.
maribell
"Not to mention they are getting slower delivering packages as well."
I have two packages out there for over six weeks now with delivery confirmation numbers on them.I visit the link and yes there are here in VA trapped at a sorting facility.I have tried from every angle thus far and so have the sellers.Im not sure what else to do other than go in person and Git-R-Done.
Excellent reply Maribell,thankyou for the time as I learn well.
I dont have and dont want a printer,I hand write all the words.I also choose to do in person postal visits.I suppose not keeping up with the online times can cost me in some ways.
Here is another RLOL postal link and I believe they should be tied together.
Eric
[URL]http://toycars.redlinesonline.info/vb/showthread.php?44477-Ahhhhh-another-postal-increase[/URL]...
Use flat rate box's it ships anywhere for the box size anywhere in the country!! If U set up an account with them ,you have to have a credit card that they bill U with on-line, U get free delivery confirmations. Small boxs are $5.00 up to $10.00-$11.00 dollers for large boxes! as they say on the commercial if it fit's no mater how heavy it is it ship's anywhere in the country!
Try this out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike:cool:
Serious!
Use USPS.com and save some $$..print your own labels ......online [B][U]discounts[/U][/B] and [B][U]free[/U][/B] delivery confirmation...[B][U]free[/U][/B] shipping supplies delivered to your door..and [B][U]free[/U][/B] package pick up.
[QUOTE=chickluu;402081]Serious!
Use USPS.com and save some $$..print your own labels ......online [B][U]discounts[/U][/B] and [B][U]free[/U][/B] delivery confirmation...[B][U]free[/U][/B] shipping supplies delivered to your door..and [B][U]free[/U][/B] package pick up.[/QUOTE]
Your just saying that so you dont have to work as much, we are on to you!! LOL
Flat rate boxes are Ok when shipping heavy items and to the farther states. But you need to use common sense. If I have an item that is 3 lbs, I will write flat rate box . I will ONLY use that flat rate box if the customer is in the West coast, Hawaii, Alaska, Ore. These states are in zone 7 /8. If the buyer is in NY, I will use a regular box and I will actually save my customer around 5 dollars. So you need to use common sense.
As a buyer, I will not pay flat rate box if the seller is in NY. (or NJ, PA,Ct.) I will actually tell the seller to re=box it because I am not going to screw myself out of five bucks...
So use common sense . The post office promotes it because they make money when the sender is not as sharp as little ol' me. Of course, if you're running a big business and send out tons of boxes per week, then it does make sense but I think that its wrong to charge this fee when the buyers live in nearby states.
I have learned to not pre-pack.
As for timing, sometimes a box does get stuck somewhere but overall the postal service is great. I mailed a box from Long Island, NY to Plano , Texas on Monday around 11 am. It arrived on Wed 9:30 am. Less than 48 hours. That's pretty good.
maribell
I think shipping rates are still pretty reasonable.
Where else could you ship a package across country, get it delivered in 2 -3 days for around $6.00.
Right on,we have mailmanmike22 and chickluu on the scene.Now I can feel a bit more connected to USPS via online communication.As I mentioned above I choose to do in person postal visits.Always have,there is a thread about me hosting a kindergarden field trip to the PO in the Greatest Hits forum.Anyway,when talking with Keith the other day (My local PO man) he says all this online business could someday put him out of a job.My reply was see ya tomorrow.
Words from the wise Maribell.Common sense makes perfect sense to me.I admit to having many questions ... Usually about everything.Again thankyou for the additional zone information.
Good point Rumbler Bob.
Eric
Hey Anita throw in some [B][I]FREE MINTY REDLINES[/I][/B] and will see if it works from West Coast to East Coast!
Colin
I have been doing this for years and I wonder why more people don't do it. I have been told that priority mail boxes are actually handled better than first class boxes.
[QUOTE=chickluu;402081]Serious!
Use USPS.com and save some $$..print your own labels ......online [B][U]discounts[/U][/B] and [B][U]free[/U][/B] delivery confirmation...[B][U]free[/U][/B] shipping supplies delivered to your door..and [B][U]free[/U][/B] package pick up.[/QUOTE]
I lowered shipping costs by NOT using Priority Mail anymore. Priority gets to destination no faster than first class or parcel post; in fact in a recent "test" both priority and first class took six days. :ohmy: Note that the PO will not commit to saying that PM is faster than regular mail. Of course you do need your own boxes but I recycle ones that others send me.
I only ship using priority unless the buyer specifies other mailing options.
I recently mailed out 25 packages, 22 via priority, 3 via 1st class.
The priority boxes were all delivered within 2 days while the 1st class took as long as 6 days.
I still think priority is the best deal going for the price.
[QUOTE=rumbler bob;403034]I only ship using priority unless the buyer specifies other mailing options.
I recently mailed out 25 packages, 22 via priority, 3 via 1st class.
The priority boxes were all delivered within 2 days while the 1st class took as long as 6 days.
I still think priority is the best deal going for the price.[/QUOTE]
Same results I had a long time ago. Priority is still the best deal.
I think it depends on where its comming from and where its going. Some first class mail gets to me sooner than priority. shipped the same day. But i do think its true that priority boxes are treated with more respect.. The postal delivery people in my area are not the brightest bulb in the box.
My experience is that priority in most cases is the same speed as first class.I ship first class unless the buyer requests other services at their actual expense.Even if first class is slower many folks dont mind the wait to save a few coins.
Eric
I agree with that sort of. If i purchase a HIGH Dollar car, i would prefer priority mail. Less tossing around and things like that. But like i said some first class stuff is just as fast or faster than priority. Depending where its comming and going.
Excellent points wishihad.All boxes get tossed though.For high dollar cars I put insurance on the package at my expense because tracking numbers alone mean nothing as I stated above.I could go on and on how tracking numbers are useless.Lets not forget weight too,I think its 12 oz and then no more first class options.Dimention plays a role too but I am uncertain of the rules.
Eric