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SpaceGhost79
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p.1 #1 · Shipping via USPS

Not sure if this is happening at any other U.S. post offices, but just a heads up for any Buy/Sell forum users and otherwise.

I live in Marquette, Mich. and went to the post office the other day to ship out a camera to another FM user. Gave the guy my package and asked him, "What are my options?" The screen brought up two options: Express Mail for $44 and Priority Mail for $18. A bit unusual compared to my prior experiences. After a few seconds the guy asked me if I was in a hurry to get it there and I said no and THEN he gave me the price for regular old Parcel Post, which was only $11.

He told me that technically he is not allowed to offer Parcel Post anymore unless the customer asks. In fact, there was a small sheet in front of him with like 10 different things on it and the one that was highlighted stated this specifically. He said if his boss was standing there, I would have been stuck with Priority Mail unless I asked for something cheaper as he wouldn't have been able to mention it due to their directive and that next time I go to the post office I need to ask them for the cheapest shipping option, otherwise everything is going Priority Mail.

Not sure if this is going on nationwide or just locally, but I did find that kind of crappy that they don't offer parcel post shipping up front unless you ask for it so they can get a few more bucks out of you. That's not exactly the type of business I expect out of the Postal Service, so I just wanted to give a heads up to users here in case you encounter a similar situation.

Oct 03, 2008 at 01:54 AM

MSC
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p.1 #2 · Shipping via USPS

Of all the times I've shipped stuff from Ebay and her on the B&S Forum, I've only had one package lost, that was the only time I used USPS...never again!

Oct 03, 2008 at 03:05 AM

mdbassman
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p.1 #3 · Shipping via USPS

I am aware of their, USPS, hyping their Premium services. Generally, I ship all items I sell on FM Priority Mail with Insurance. Other than that I use the Parcel Post rates. But I have never had the postal clerk not offer the PP rate in their services BUT that they do do it where you live does not surprise me.
Thanks for the info!
Dan

Oct 03, 2008 at 10:15 AM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #4 · Shipping via USPS

Strange, but believable. I've done hundreds of ship/receive via USPS Priority. Their
lack of real time tracking sucks but for 2 day delivery and the best prices 2lb and under,
I'll continue to use 'em. Their Flat Rate boxes are the bomb. Just sent my sister 12lbs
of green chili for $12.50 got there in 2 days. Nobody touches that price, nobody. If
you're paranoid with high end gear...insure it. Better than getting the crap beat out
of things using brown ground.

Oct 03, 2008 at 12:58 PM

tptram
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p.1 #5 · Shipping via USPS

I used to work for Canada Post and that is the standard procedure.
push for Express Post (Priority equivalent) and up sell extra services such as Signature required ($1.50) Insurance for valure $101 and over etc.

now if you want Saturday delivery, they are partner up with FedEx to do it- with extra cost of course.

oh yes, they are the best value for shipping low value items.

Tak

Oct 03, 2008 at 03:06 PM

kinconorb
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p.1 #6 · Shipping via USPS

I just shipped 7 items sold on ebay using USPS sold them with free shipping so wanted to pay whatever was cheapest.

Brought them to the counter lady asked me how I wanted to send them told her whatever would be cheapest so she gave me options between 1st class and priority. Which was a big difference my bill was still $45 total with delivery confirmation on all boxes but thats still cheap save myself $25 all in all I'd say.

Oct 04, 2008 at 05:04 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #7 · Shipping via USPS

Go online and use the postal calculator. For most domestic packages services include Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Post and Media Mail.

EBH

Oct 04, 2008 at 05:33 PM

MSC
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p.1 #8 · Shipping via USPS

I want to like USPS, I really do...just very gun shy after losing a lens and wow, what a trouble that was to fix!

Oct 04, 2008 at 05:48 PM

Mickey
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p.1 #9 · Shipping via USPS

I nearly always ship high value items USPS Registered and insured. It's the cheapest and surest way to ship. Not the fastest by any means but you'll rarely ever hear about a Registered item being lost. It must be signed for anytime it changes hands. There will always be horror stories about any shipper but for the volume carried I still believe USPS is as safe as any out there.

Oct 06, 2008 at 07:20 PM

beauport
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p.1 #10 · Shipping via USPS

SpaceGhost79 wrote:
Not sure if this is happening at any other U.S. post offices, but just a heads up for any Buy/Sell forum users and otherwise.

I live in Marquette, Mich. and went to the post office the other day to ship out a camera to another FM user. Gave the guy my package and asked him, "What are my options?" The screen brought up two options: Express Mail for $44 and Priority Mail for $18. A bit unusual compared to my prior experiences. After a few seconds the guy asked me if I was in a hurry to get it there and I said no and THEN he gave me the price for regular old Parcel Post, which was only $11.

He told me that technically he is not allowed to offer Parcel Post anymore unless the customer asks. In fact, there was a small sheet in front of him with like 10 different things on it and the one that was highlighted stated this specifically. He said if his boss was standing there, I would have been stuck with Priority Mail unless I asked for something cheaper as he wouldn't have been able to mention it due to their directive and that next time I go to the post office I need to ask them for the cheapest shipping option, otherwise everything is going Priority Mail.

Not sure if this is going on nationwide or just locally, but I did find that kind of crappy that they don't offer parcel post shipping up front unless you ask for it so they can get a few more bucks out of you. That's not exactly the type of business I expect out of the Postal Service, so I just wanted to give a heads up to users here in case you encounter a similar situation.

Skip the counter/retail people at USPS and use their online services where you can find all the options, pay and print the address label at home/office and with Priority or Express mail arrange for a free pick up at home/office. Plus their are "online" rates less expensive than at the post office.

Oct 07, 2008 at 05:06 PM

Sass Quatch
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p.1 #11 · Shipping via USPS

The problems with USPS are that if they lose a package they hold up payment on the insurance for six months, and they do lose more packages than UPS or Fedex.

Oct 11, 2008 at 03:24 PM


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