Just a reminder - USPS Tracking is the best 70 cents you can spend.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles

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Jul 4, 2009
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It's better than priority (though that's pretty good), it's better than insurance, in my opinion. When you're left wondering "where is that thing I bought last week?" it's wonderful to be able to go online and find out instantly.

I can't tell you how many times this 70 cent service has saved me hundreds of dollars.

I strongly recommend that all sellers use it when they ship USPS, and I recommend that all buyers request it.

Thanks for playing, we'll have some lovely parting gifts for you. :)

Kent
 
If you are talking about Delivery Confirmation, it is free if you buy your labels online. Also, they don't really guarantee any tracking updates - only a delivery confirming scan; but the updates have gotten much better over the last couple of years. But I agree, it is the best thing since sliced bread.

I wouldn't call it better than insurance, because I have had packages scanned delivered in Colorado by a carrier in South Carolina - but didn't show to the customer and the USPS said "Sorry, you should have bought insurance". The carrier changed the zip code on his hand-held to a Colorado zip to make it look mis-routed; but didn't realize that the postal system also records the serial number of the hand-held that scanned it. Even when my postmaster called the remote postmaster, they just said "honest mistake, did he have insurance"....
 
I did a trade with someone and I sent them the money to ship my package and put a DC on it. This person always says they are flat broke so I just sent him the money to ship. Well anyway he ships priority mail with no DC when I told him to ship 1st class with dc. Well it got lost going from PA to WV and it took it 3 weeks to arrive to me. I was a little PO'ed to say the least.

What is .70 on priority or .80 on 1st class for such a nice peace of mind.
 
As someone else already said, it's automatically added at no extra charge if you buy your postage online. The Click-n-Ship system also can be configured to send you email messages when it's delivered, and to do the same for the recipient. I've become a big fan of online shipping. All you have to do is have the package scanned when you drop it off at the PO and you have proof of mailing as well.
 
I've never done online shipping. Need to look into that. I love tracking and DC though, even though DC only indicates that the package was delivered somewhere - not necessarily to the addressee.
 
small flat rate box with dc is $5 even through paypal or the usps website. same package at the post office is $5.90. I cant understand how the more convienent way to ship is cheaper (usually the other way around) but im not complaining.
 
powernoodle said:
I've never done online shipping. Need to look into that.
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I think once you try it you'll never go back. The fact that's it's cheaper AND more convenient is a big selling point.

clichtenwalner1 said:
I cant understand how the more convienent way to ship is cheaper (usually the other way around) but im not complaining.
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My assumption is that they give you a break to encourage you to use the service, making them ultimately have to pay for fewer clerks. Paying postal pensions and health care is where the real expense lies, so anything they can do to downsize their workforce is a good investment for them.
 
elkins45 said:
My assumption is that they give you a break to encourage you to use the service, making them ultimately have to pay for fewer clerks. Paying postal pensions and health care is where the real expense lies, so anything they can do to downsize their workforce is a good investment for them.
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Less workhours is good, less lobby time is even better. When all you need is a scan, it frees up the line for the next person in line. In a big post office in a city, that's a major factor. We could have 40 people in the lobby around lunchtime, and not much less the rest of the day, with only 8 windows maximum to serve them.
 
...Not to mention, USPS is twice as fast as UPS and they take much better care of packages. I worked as a package sorter at UPS for 5 years I know first hand what a package goes through in the UPS system: being thrown, jammed, stacked and being crushed on belt jams. I'm sure packages see some abuse in the USPS system but I have yet to receive a package that looks all beat up and crunched from USPS and I get them UPS all the time. UPS ground, like I mentioned, also takes way too long and usually costs more than USPS Priority.

In short, I love USPS and use it all the time.
 
A tracking number is the greatest peace of mind a seller can offer... maybe the guy I recently bought a knife from will read this thread :) As a new seller I'll be sure to offer this and speedy shipping, I think it's especially important on the forums where there really is no re-course for getting ripped off. Communication is key.
 
Yeah, DC is a must for shipping First Class or Priority. I just like that it tells you when it's out for delivery so you know it's coming that day!
 
If it absolutely, positively, MUST get there, ship it registered. A bit more expensive, but much more secure.
 
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