USPS Shipping Just Got Better

[Stevem627]

Now you can not only get free Delievery Confirmation, but you can also PAY THE POSTAGE online!!!!!!!!!!!!

This will make it a lot easier for those of us who have to stand in line. WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!


Go take a look at the new system

 

[Hgabriel]

w00t! I agree, the USPS is decent, but the lines are a hassle. I usually just pay extra and use FedEx just so I can skip the lines.

 

[KingofBladez]

Excellent, now I never have to leave the house again! muahahahahaa

 

[boi]

Nice!!! I just noticed the new format today

 

[ChefJoe]

what's this? link? how do you figure the weight, girth, etc into the calculations?

 

[VaG]

Not exactly fun if you have multiple packages. You have to jump through all the hoops for each package including entering all your credit card info & getting billed seperate for each package. Also, no options for insurance.

"Sorry, We are unable to process your request due to a communication failure. Please try again later." Looks like they're testing their new system on me.

 

[dpham00]

here's a nice thread about delivery conf. Text

 

[Perplexer]

I think you meant to say, "USPS Shipping just got more expensive!"

Come June 30,

First class 1 oz. from 0.34 to 0.37
Priority mail 1 lb. from 3.50 to 3.85
Electronic delivery confirmation from 0.00 to 0.13

etc. etc.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Electronic delivery confirmation from 0.00 to 0.13

how's this gonna be charged?

 

[gogeeta13]

when you get rung up at the counter, they will scan it and charge you the 13 cents

 

[ScrapSilicon]

try again...

when you get rung up at the counter, they will scan it and charge you the 13 cents

the counter at your local B&M USPS P.O. already does its charge (40 cent ) this is electronic d.c. ...so ??

 

[RU482]

please remember the postal service is a business people


Now that I have that off my chest.....dammit, why do they have to raise rates :|

 

[ScrapSilicon]

oh well...decipher the following from http://www.usps.com/ratecase/special.htm

Delivery Confirmation (DMM S918)
Retail (manual) and electronic Delivery Confirmation options will be extended to First?Class Mail parcels. For Package Services items, Delivery Confirmation service will be restricted to parcels only and will no longer be available for flat?size mail. For First?Class Mail parcels, the fee will be $0.13 for the electronic option and $0.55 for the retail option. The fee for the retail option for Priority Mail service will increase from $0.40 to $0.45. For Standard Mail service, the fee for the electronic option will increase from $0.12 to $0.13. For Parcel Select service, the electronic option will be included in postage. For all other Package Services items, the fee will increase from $0.12 to $0.13 for the electronic option and from $0.50 to $0.55 for the retail option. See DMM R900.9.0.

For the purposes of adding Delivery Confirmation service to First?Class Mail items or Package Services items, a parcel will be defined as any piece that has an address side with sufficient surface area to fully display the delivery address, return address, postage, markings and endorsements, and Delivery Confirmation label. The parcel will be required to be in a box or, if not in a box, will be required to be more than 3/4?inch thick at its thickest point.

 

[Jeff7]

"For Standard Mail service, the fee for the electronic option will increase from $0.12 to $0.13. "

That's weird; that says standard mail though, not Priority. So is it still free for E-Delivery confirmation with Priority Mail?


I guess I'm lucky - there's almost never a line at the post offices around here. It's never a long wait either when there is a line.

 

[crypticlogin]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Electronic delivery confirmation from 0.00 to 0.13

how's this gonna be charged?

Right now, there's a link from the USPS website that lets you register to print a "shipping label with postage." Through a separate link, you can print a mailing label without registering (and thus, wouldn't need anything else to get the free electronic DC) but that feature will probably be removed when the new rates kick in. You registration would probably need to be tied to a credit card or bank account, then you'd be able to print the label with DC & postage.

The page with the links

My guess.

 

[Optical]

On the bright side, the damn confusion is free of charge.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Optical
On the bright side, the damn confusion is free of charge.

lol...you always do see the humor in it ...btw thanks tenchim
I was suspecting that's what how it will be or metered account-like

 

[dentalboy]

sounds like an awesome deal

 

[helpme]

Q. What kind of printer should I use?
A. You can use a Hewlett Packard LaserJet or compatible laser printer. Our scanning equipment is not capable of reliably reading labels generated using InkJet or dot matrix printers.

Doh.

 

[WingsOverVirginia]

NBC had a segment on USPS priority mail on Thursday that said during their tests it actually took longer to send anything priority than 1st class. Most took 1-2 days more by priority. They interviewed a postal employee who said that if the package is going less than 600 miles he would never use priority mail.

 

[VaG]

Originally posted by: WingsOverVirginia
NBC had a segment on USPS priority mail on Thursday that said during their tests it actually took longer to send anything priority than 1st class. Most took 1-2 days more by priority. They interviewed a postal employee who said that if the package is going less than 600 miles he would never use priority mail.

Factor in all the free shipping supplies with priority and your money is easily recovered right there.

 

[jandaman]

I've been using www.endicia.com for over a year now and it's the best thing since sliced bread or something ( Probably not worth it for small mailings but I do a couple hundred mailings a month)
$10/month + cost of postage
With this software, I just import my mailing list for the orders I need to process and it's just a few clicks. It does all the extra services like Delivery/Signature confirmation, insurance, etc

I believe Electronic DC with priority mail will still be free after the rate increase but it will increase for package services ( book rate/media mail/parcel post/ect)
The great thing is now even first class mail will be able to have DC on it ( First class over a certain weight I believe, too lazy to check the website )

 

[jandaman]

Forgot to add this tip whenever you print your own postage.
Goto: Control Panel -> Printers -> Right click on your printer -> Properties -> Advance -> Keep printed documents

Now if your label misprints or paper jams or whatever, you can restart the print job
Wish I knew this tip before I screwed up a label with $12 postage on it

 

[Perplexer]

Apparently the new labels with electronic postage CAN be used for packages.

Well, in theory. USPS pisses me off! I generated a label, entered my credit card information, got to the final screens, and got a "communication error - try again later."

Why bother, if they can't get it right? Guess I'm going to wait in line at the post office again tomorrow...

 

[sygyzy]

Dumb question but how do you guys figure out weight? I don't ship enough and I am too lazy to buy a scale. I ship maybe 5-10 packages a month. I have a FedEx account as well and I just guess the weight when I print labels for it - and they never complained or charged me more. Somehow I think the USPS would be more strict.