I am sick of sellers getting "credit" for shipping packages when all they have done is obtain a tracking number online. Then they don't bother to take the box to the post office for two or three days. But by then, they have obtained their Perfect Star rating for shipping speed, and yet the package has not actually shipped. This is wrong and frustrating!!!
Sellers are not simply obtaining a tracking number. There is no way to do that. They are actually purchasing shipping when they get assigned a tracking number.
Ebay will allow buyers to rate the detailed seller rating for ship speed if the item takes longer than 4 days to be delivered after postage is purchased. If it gets delivered within the expected time, a buyer cannot rate the ship speed at all, and the seller gets an automatic 5 stars.
I always wonder why members expect so much more from ebay sellers than they do from other online companies.Tracking updates are sometimes delayed 24 hours, other times it won't show acceptance until right before it leaves the post office. My post office doesn't scan until around 6 pm. So if you bought and item Monday at 8 am, I printed out shipping label at 8.30 and dropped package off Tuesday at 7 am, it would not update until Tuesday 6 pm but it is still within 24 hours.
Look at the sellers shipping and handling time before anything else, add USPS(or other carriers) into the equation. Or try to send yourself a package and see how it sometimes will glitch.
Posts mit dem Label USPS werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Posts mit dem Label USPS werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Donnerstag, 24. April 2014
Dienstag, 22. April 2014
FedEx Label - USPS Delivered, wanted $18 postage!
Here's a new one. I shipped a package with FedEx Ground (NOT Smartpost through the post office). Buyer told me that the post office tried to deliver the package and he refused it because they wanted another $18 in postage (I had already paid $13 to FedEx)! The FedEx tracking number was never scanned, so FedEx has no record of receiving my box at all and now the post office has it! I had to refund the buyer because he opened a case - and now the package is floating around somewhere in the hands of the post office. What the hell??? I'm hoping it comes back to me and the post office asks me for the extra postage - I'll smash the plate to smithereens in front of them.
First you will have to pay the postage due to get the package to smash.
Second USPS could only have the package if you or FedEx handed it to them.
We at our little PO have had people drop off FedEx packages in the lobby or blue box. We give them back as FedEx has demanded a pick up fee to take them ($10 + tax), the driver that delivers the Smart Post WILL NOT TAKE THEM.
We also occasionally get FedEx Ground (UPS also) in the Smart Post bags (Sure Post bags). Also a real PITA to get FedEx to take these back (UPS takes them back just fine). Sounds like this may have been what happened with your package and the PO decided to just deliver but as postage wasn't paid through FedEx as in the case with SP it came postage due.
First you will have to pay the postage due to get the package to smash.
Second USPS could only have the package if you or FedEx handed it to them.
We at our little PO have had people drop off FedEx packages in the lobby or blue box. We give them back as FedEx has demanded a pick up fee to take them ($10 + tax), the driver that delivers the Smart Post WILL NOT TAKE THEM.
We also occasionally get FedEx Ground (UPS also) in the Smart Post bags (Sure Post bags). Also a real PITA to get FedEx to take these back (UPS takes them back just fine). Sounds like this may have been what happened with your package and the PO decided to just deliver but as postage wasn't paid through FedEx as in the case with SP it came postage due.
The estimated delivery date was originally stated as April 16th
From the "Tracking history" provided by USPS states that the package was located in Tennessee on the 16th (NO TIME GIVEN). I live in Waukegan Illinois, and delivery on this date is not physically possible unless delivered by expidited air drop to my front door. I continued to check the tracking, and no updates were listed until Saturday afternoon, at which time it showed the package in Forest Park Illinois (sorting facility). I called the Waukegan post office at 12:04 PM Saturday afternoon, and talked with the rude supervisor, who stated no information would be updated until the package arrives at the Post Office in Waukegan I asked why the tracking was not updated to give a more accurate location (UPS, FedX and DHL all update their tracing on a daily basis). I was told that USPS only updates when the package arrives at the delivery office. Now I ask, why even bother with the USPS tracking, when the accuracy cannot be depended on at all. After all, the seller on eBay was given an estimated delivery date of April 16th, clearly not what the seller paid the postage fee, and depended on the accuracy of the accepting post office. I will NEVER request delivery by the USPS, and will gladly pay the shipping for UPS, FedX or DHL, whichever the seller lists as an alternative to the LOUSY service from USPS. A N D the USPS wants to raise their rates again !. For what ? More lousy and undependable service. Any one else experiencing lousy undependable service from the United States Postal Serivce ?
Where was the estimated delivery date provided? If you saw it on an eBay page, then you should know it has nothing to do with the USPS nor any information provided by them. That's a date that eBay dreamed up all on its lonesome.
Where are you checking the tracking? Again, if you're doing that off the function on the eBay web-site, you should know that can provide information that ranges from being in part inaccurate to being wholly inaccurate. If you want an accurate reflexion of the current status of the tracking information, you should copy and past the number to the function at the USPS web-site.
Why are you doing this? I'm presuming you see your time as having some value or other, but this doesn't sound like a very productive use of your time. Hovering over the tracking and obsessing about it aren't going to make the package magically appear any quicker
Maybe he's got telekinesis?
I don't have any superpowers, so I'm quite content to put my packages in the mail and forget all about them until the buyer leaves me positive feedback, or reports a problem (which almost never happens). It's a system that works quite well for me. It helps me sleep at night and keeps my blood pressure down.
Where was the estimated delivery date provided? If you saw it on an eBay page, then you should know it has nothing to do with the USPS nor any information provided by them. That's a date that eBay dreamed up all on its lonesome.
Where are you checking the tracking? Again, if you're doing that off the function on the eBay web-site, you should know that can provide information that ranges from being in part inaccurate to being wholly inaccurate. If you want an accurate reflexion of the current status of the tracking information, you should copy and past the number to the function at the USPS web-site.
Why are you doing this? I'm presuming you see your time as having some value or other, but this doesn't sound like a very productive use of your time. Hovering over the tracking and obsessing about it aren't going to make the package magically appear any quicker
Maybe he's got telekinesis?
I don't have any superpowers, so I'm quite content to put my packages in the mail and forget all about them until the buyer leaves me positive feedback, or reports a problem (which almost never happens). It's a system that works quite well for me. It helps me sleep at night and keeps my blood pressure down.
I shipped a watch by First Class International (USPS) from the US to China.
The last tracking on it has it leaving the US on March 13th, As of today April 21st the buyer claims not to have recieved the watch. I usually ship priority international but the buyer insisted that First Class International would be ok (my first mistake)-and after several emailsand warnings about poor tracking and slow delivery I agreed. My question is how long should I wait before issuing a refund.
I pretty angry at myself for giving in. Its been 40 days-is it time for a refund or should I wait a bit longer.
"First Class International would be ok (my first mistake)"
Just my 2 cents - for people like me in Canada (who prefers First Class International as it is not a total cash grab) I never lie and say "I did not get it". There are some honest people still, however sadly I think there are fewer and fewer of us. Which is a shame, as those of us who ARE honest end up over paying.
However if I did sell, there are very few countries I would sell to. A lot of sellers remove countries from bidding if they get too many "did not receive" notes. You will see them sometimes in auctions where sellers list countries where they REFUSE to sell to.
BTW, you won't get a delivery scan to China. The buyer's deadline is 30 days from the latest estimated delivery date. I've never shipped to China, but one poster on the International Trading Board said that a month to about 5 weeks is normal.
If you insured the package, you can file a claim with your insurer if you end up having to refund the buyer (40 days for international usually).
I pretty angry at myself for giving in. Its been 40 days-is it time for a refund or should I wait a bit longer.
"First Class International would be ok (my first mistake)"
Just my 2 cents - for people like me in Canada (who prefers First Class International as it is not a total cash grab) I never lie and say "I did not get it". There are some honest people still, however sadly I think there are fewer and fewer of us. Which is a shame, as those of us who ARE honest end up over paying.
However if I did sell, there are very few countries I would sell to. A lot of sellers remove countries from bidding if they get too many "did not receive" notes. You will see them sometimes in auctions where sellers list countries where they REFUSE to sell to.
BTW, you won't get a delivery scan to China. The buyer's deadline is 30 days from the latest estimated delivery date. I've never shipped to China, but one poster on the International Trading Board said that a month to about 5 weeks is normal.
If you insured the package, you can file a claim with your insurer if you end up having to refund the buyer (40 days for international usually).
Customer purchased a signed vintage jewelry set
, I believe is correct. Either way, I sent the set with no damage, now there is a large chip on one of the faux pearls. I have filed a claim with USPS and it is currently pending. She did send it back. At the start she was originally in the US and is now in China. Communication with her has been slow and it took some time to get it back. Now we are about to run into running past her time of EBays guarantee to protect purchases and she is concerned, I cannot blame her.I am hesitant to refund until I know the claim is approved. Upon approval, I am more than happy to refund. I just feel like something is up. I feel like I need to be cautious before refunding. I know it was not damaged and is as described, photos were very clear. Any suggestions?
Spot checking a couple of your items for sale
You seem to be using Parcel Select for lite weight , smaller items
Consider using Priority
Comes with auto $50.00 Insurance
USPS supplies the box's for FREE
FREE Delivery Confirmation
MUCH faster delivery when compared to Parcel Select
and most times cheaper or same priceWAIT, maybe not. The OP said "She did send it back. At the start she was originally in the US and is now in China." which sounds like the item was forwarded by a shipping forwarder, which voids their protection. The damage to the necklace could have been done by the reshipper. Wish OP had come here first.
Spot checking a couple of your items for sale
You seem to be using Parcel Select for lite weight , smaller items
Consider using Priority
Comes with auto $50.00 Insurance
USPS supplies the box's for FREE
FREE Delivery Confirmation
MUCH faster delivery when compared to Parcel Select
and most times cheaper or same priceWAIT, maybe not. The OP said "She did send it back. At the start she was originally in the US and is now in China." which sounds like the item was forwarded by a shipping forwarder, which voids their protection. The damage to the necklace could have been done by the reshipper. Wish OP had come here first.
I needed a little box to protect a little item I'm sending first class in a bubble mailer
So I pulled a small FRB from the trash cut the end off and made a franken box.
I'm wondering if the post office is cool with this. As I understand it you can not reuse the whole box but you can use old padded mailers or pieces of cardboard as packing materials.
To be safe I took the end with the part of the label that shows postage was paid originally and this is just recycled materials. It seems silly that the PO would object to this but I do not want to have a buyer end up with postage due.
May I suggest you find some plain scraps of corrugated cardboard and fashion a small box?
That's what I have been doing but the small FRB has thin cardboard that is lightweight and easy to fold and it's already 90% done. Just trim fold and tape. Gift boxes cost money and cardstock boxes not nearly as sturdy as the thin corrogated of the SFR.
The small FRB folds so easily into a smaller box that I may start saving the used ones for that purpose. But not if I'm asking for trouble by doing it.
Since I don't believe in wrecking our planet by throwing away usable items and since I have never stolen or misused a USPS box, I re-use pieces from USED USPS boxes as much as I can, knowing that technically USPS isn't okay with it.
Since the REASON they're not okay with it is because they're trying to reduce theft and fraud by those who steal new boxes for a variety of unauthorized purpses, and since I'm not doing that, I'm giving myself a "pass" on behalf of the environment.
Sometimes you have to do what you think is right.
I'm wondering if the post office is cool with this. As I understand it you can not reuse the whole box but you can use old padded mailers or pieces of cardboard as packing materials.
To be safe I took the end with the part of the label that shows postage was paid originally and this is just recycled materials. It seems silly that the PO would object to this but I do not want to have a buyer end up with postage due.
May I suggest you find some plain scraps of corrugated cardboard and fashion a small box?
That's what I have been doing but the small FRB has thin cardboard that is lightweight and easy to fold and it's already 90% done. Just trim fold and tape. Gift boxes cost money and cardstock boxes not nearly as sturdy as the thin corrogated of the SFR.
The small FRB folds so easily into a smaller box that I may start saving the used ones for that purpose. But not if I'm asking for trouble by doing it.
Since I don't believe in wrecking our planet by throwing away usable items and since I have never stolen or misused a USPS box, I re-use pieces from USED USPS boxes as much as I can, knowing that technically USPS isn't okay with it.
Since the REASON they're not okay with it is because they're trying to reduce theft and fraud by those who steal new boxes for a variety of unauthorized purpses, and since I'm not doing that, I'm giving myself a "pass" on behalf of the environment.
Sometimes you have to do what you think is right.
I'm shipping out an item today and bought and printed USPS label
After I got everything packed, I weighed the package and it came in right under the weight I specified. I always like to add a few more ounces just in case, so USPS doesn't send it back to me, or heaven forbid, charge the buyer the extra shipping cost.
My question is can I adjust the weight then reprint the shipping label without having to cancel and then purchase postage again? I have no problem paying the difference, I just don't want my account charged twice for shipping.
No need to trim flaps. The OP clearly states the actual weight is LESS than the predicted weight. There's no need to change anything -- it's OK to pay too much. It's also OK to ADD some weight to the contents to match the postage amount. A little extra stuffing or reinforcement never hurts!
Otherwise, just void the label and start over. The refund takes about 10 days to 2 weeks.
My question is can I adjust the weight then reprint the shipping label without having to cancel and then purchase postage again? I have no problem paying the difference, I just don't want my account charged twice for shipping.
No need to trim flaps. The OP clearly states the actual weight is LESS than the predicted weight. There's no need to change anything -- it's OK to pay too much. It's also OK to ADD some weight to the contents to match the postage amount. A little extra stuffing or reinforcement never hurts!
Otherwise, just void the label and start over. The refund takes about 10 days to 2 weeks.
Sonntag, 20. April 2014
USPS changed its process with long narrow packages which a mailing tube is
Effective at the end of Feb, 2013, USPS no longer required long narrow packages be scanned as processed on packages that can not be placed down a belt and machine read The USPS processing now is a USPS employee has to hand deliver ther package to the proper area for shipment to the destination USPS faciility. Here is where the problem occurs - far to many USPS employees simply set the carton aside and not deliver the shipment to the location designated for further shipment. Unless another USPS employee takes on the responsibility of doing the required process if they find the shipment, the shipmen sits at the origin USPS Sort Center.
This is a fact and not fiction. In March,2013 we had to open 80 complaints out of 100 shipments with USPS concerning lightweight FC shipments. The packages were 30-72 inches long, 5-6 inches wide and 2" deep. We complained and complained to the 1-800-ASK USPS number and also the USPS Office of Consumer Affairs. Then a USPS employee did us a favor, they scanned 15 shipments on the same day - 15 shipments that were sent to the sort center 15 days prior.
Getting no resolution from USPS we then contacted one of our states US Senators. The Senator's office contacted USPS in Washington. Suddenly we received a e-mail fro USPS that they had investigated and found all of our shipments were not be handled in accordance to the type of shipment involved and in fact were not be handled or treated as any USPS service - they more or less admitted to lazy employees and lax supervision of overseeing USPS employees in the performance of their tasks as the reason.
We contacted eBay about the issue since we at that point in time that eBay would have some influence with USPS. E-bay more or less flipped the bird at us by telling us it was our problem. We were even told to use Fed-EX and UPS rather than USPS since USPS was a joke. I asked why eBay has the statement on all eBay generated shipping labels - "the perferred shipping service on"" and then the eBay logo. We nad all the documentation and offered to send to eBay. Even though we had proof of this being an extreme situation outside of our control, eBay refused to even consider. The result was we lost our TRS for over one year due to the low DSR shipping time ratings we
muchmerch wrote:
I send some items in cardboard tubes and I seem to run into problems with these types of packages getting to their destination on time or at all...not often, but moreso than other packaging types...have one now that was supposed to go to CA but is now in AK!
Anyone else use these tubes for posters or prints or whatever and having the same problems?
This is a fact and not fiction. In March,2013 we had to open 80 complaints out of 100 shipments with USPS concerning lightweight FC shipments. The packages were 30-72 inches long, 5-6 inches wide and 2" deep. We complained and complained to the 1-800-ASK USPS number and also the USPS Office of Consumer Affairs. Then a USPS employee did us a favor, they scanned 15 shipments on the same day - 15 shipments that were sent to the sort center 15 days prior.
Getting no resolution from USPS we then contacted one of our states US Senators. The Senator's office contacted USPS in Washington. Suddenly we received a e-mail fro USPS that they had investigated and found all of our shipments were not be handled in accordance to the type of shipment involved and in fact were not be handled or treated as any USPS service - they more or less admitted to lazy employees and lax supervision of overseeing USPS employees in the performance of their tasks as the reason.
We contacted eBay about the issue since we at that point in time that eBay would have some influence with USPS. E-bay more or less flipped the bird at us by telling us it was our problem. We were even told to use Fed-EX and UPS rather than USPS since USPS was a joke. I asked why eBay has the statement on all eBay generated shipping labels - "the perferred shipping service on"" and then the eBay logo. We nad all the documentation and offered to send to eBay. Even though we had proof of this being an extreme situation outside of our control, eBay refused to even consider. The result was we lost our TRS for over one year due to the low DSR shipping time ratings we
muchmerch wrote:
I send some items in cardboard tubes and I seem to run into problems with these types of packages getting to their destination on time or at all...not often, but moreso than other packaging types...have one now that was supposed to go to CA but is now in AK!
Anyone else use these tubes for posters or prints or whatever and having the same problems?
Samstag, 19. April 2014
How To Save Money Packing & Shipping...with the USPS
I have six on-line stores on four different platforms and sell presently about 100 packages a week in our Mom & pop joint venture sole proprietor business. (Yup, that's us at the end of the listing -- didn't want to scare you off right away LOL) I have been selling on ebay for about 7 years and it is an amazing place to sell. Here are a few tips to save money on shipping. I have tried FedEx, UPS, and the USPS and 99.9% of my items are 2 pounds or less and the USPS has been my primary shipper all these years.
1. SAVE GAS MONEY & TIME. Don't drive to the post office, schedule the USPS to come to your DOOR (not leave it in your mailbox) daily. If you ship just one priority mail item a day, you can schedule a free carrier pick up for as many items as you want and tell them where to pick it up. If packages are left in the mailbox they often get damp or can get stolen I went to the post office and asked for the official mail crate below and leave that on my porch and ask for a new one when the postal carrier picks this one up. I used to schedule my pick up by 2AM the night before (the cut off time), but now that I am regular, I schedule 4 months at a time for the approx. amount of items to pick up. We live in a rural area and a few mail carriers wanted me to put the items in the mailbox but I went on-line and requested "porch pick up" and told them (side porch, inside door, mailbox.) I put for example, 1 priority mail, 2 ground packages daily. That way they will come every day and if I have a few more or less, its not a big deal. When I know I have 40 packages after a weekend, I go on-line and change that for that day, of course! I used to feel badly for the postman having to come up to my door daily, but then my brother in law who is a Postmaster explained that as long as you request a pick up ON-LINE (not just put them out without a pick up), the carrier gets extra time (pay) for coming to the door. Now I know why my carrier laughs and says he feels like Santa when he hauls 40 packages off my porch steps!
2. ORDER A COMPLETE VARIETY OF FREE SUPPLIES FROM THE USPS.
If you ship priority mail, which most of us on ebay do, you can get all different size boxes. For example, I order the 1095, 1097 and 1092 side loading boxes (shown in photo) as they are different sizes. I sell mostly clothing and try to keep my items at 1 pound or less -- I packed it in one box and it was 1.1 pounds -- and would be charged for 2# (anything over the exact pound is charged the next higher weight). I pulled out the smallest side loading box and it was 2 ounces lighter - YES! Still could ship it for 1 pound rate which is now almost the same as the flat rate padded envelope.
I also make sure to carry f lat rate priority and express mail, tyvek envelopes, padded envelopes, flat rate boxes, etc. However, if you ship things lighter than 3 pounds it is cheaper to weigh it than use a medium flat rate box. I seldom use express mail, but every now and then I will get an email requesting it and nothing is worse than having to make a trip to the PO for the right box, only to discover they are out of stock. Also order the rolls of priority mail and express mail stickers so you can put them on packages that are too large to have a free priority mail box to use. I put one sticker on each side of the package to be sure the post office knows it is not the slow parcel post but priority or express mail. So basically, here's the link, go on-line and order a few of every type of FREE packaging you think you can use (it has to be for shipping with the USPS, it is illegal to use them for anything else or try to turn them inside out and re-use).
3. TRIM THE EDGES OF THE BOXES TO MAKE THEM LIGHTER IF NEED BE.
I have an outfit I want to ship in a box (it looks much better to ship it in a box then crumpled up in a tyvek envelope where the tags get damaged). I weigh it and it is 1lb.1.8 oz - so since its over 1 pound I will be charged the higher rate. If I am already using the smallest free priority mail box I have, I don't give up. I just start trimming off the extra parts of the box.
I start by snipping the corners of the box top and bottom (If I have to re-open the bottom as I had already sealed it, I just use tape to close it after snipped.)
I weight it again and now it is 1 pound EXACTLY - I still have to put on a label and I don't like to be exactly on one pound and risk having a customer get a "postage due" -- gets you off to a very bad start with that customer, I can attest to that! So I always try to be slightly UNDER the pound marks. Back to snipping again.
This time I snip the non-sticky side of the top - sometimes I will do the top and bottom. Then I weight it again with the shipping label on -- 15.8 oz - yes! I have just saved around $2.00. It may sound like a lot of work, but snipping the boxes only takes a few seconds, and each add'l pound of shipping is usually $2-$3. At 100 packages a week, that is easily a $400 savings monthly on my priority mail packages (I ship many first class mail in boxes I purchase.)
4. PURCHASE BOXES FOR ITEMS 8 OZ AND LESS and ship first class mail. I used to ship anything "nice" that needed to be boxed priority mail -- until I discovered first class mail boxes you can purchase at stores like U-Line for 50 cents a box. 50 cents for the box - $3.23 if its the maximum shipping weight of 13 oz --- versus $5.50 - $6.50 if its 1 pound priority mail - that a savings of roughly $2-3 dollars per shipment. At 100 first class packages a month, that is at least a savings of $200 dollars.
5. FOR INEXPENSIVE ITEMS THAT AREN'T WORTH BUYING A BOX TO SHIP - I put the item INSIDE a manilla file folders INSIDE the tyvek or mailing envelope for lightweight protection to keep it from getting squished. Manilla envelopes are approx. 14 cents each plus shipping u-line sells poly shipping envelopes large like that one for about 40 cents each or less. Often my package shipping fee for something like an adult size t-shirt is $2.50 plus 50 cents for the manilla envelope and poly mailer - so about $3.00 instead of a priority mail fee of minimum of $5.35 - $6.50 - less if the item is lighter weight.
5. Re-USING OLD SHIPPING PACKAGING - This will depend on your clientele. I sell eco-friendly fair labor hemp & organic cotton tee shirts which are purchased by very earth conscious individuals, like my son who introduced me to hemp clothing. They often may be offended if you ship an earth-friendly shirt wrapped in tissue paper in new packaging. I save my decent old packaging for those items and write in magic marker on the package "recycled packaging - thank you for being earth friendly" so they know I am purposely re-using items, not that I'm too cheap to buy a box or shipping mailer.
The majority of my clients expect brand new packaging and the items to look great, so I use new packing materials for them. When I could not afford to buy boxes when my business was smaller, I would cut up or re-use clean but obviously used packaging and write on it "we recycle - thank you for being earth friendly" or print on a slip of paper "we are a green store and recycle whenever possible - thank you for helping save our planet" or something similar so they know you are recycling because you believe recycling is good, not because you went through the dumpster and picked out old boxes to save money shipping to them.:) I have done both and received positive feedback with new or recycled. Its really in your outlook - our attitude shows in our listings, our packages, everything. If you are positive and believe in what you do, it will spread to others. BTW, the boxes I don't recycle in shipping I pay to recycle (in our rural community you have to pay to have your items recycled) so it doesn't end up in a landfill.
1. SAVE GAS MONEY & TIME. Don't drive to the post office, schedule the USPS to come to your DOOR (not leave it in your mailbox) daily. If you ship just one priority mail item a day, you can schedule a free carrier pick up for as many items as you want and tell them where to pick it up. If packages are left in the mailbox they often get damp or can get stolen I went to the post office and asked for the official mail crate below and leave that on my porch and ask for a new one when the postal carrier picks this one up. I used to schedule my pick up by 2AM the night before (the cut off time), but now that I am regular, I schedule 4 months at a time for the approx. amount of items to pick up. We live in a rural area and a few mail carriers wanted me to put the items in the mailbox but I went on-line and requested "porch pick up" and told them (side porch, inside door, mailbox.) I put for example, 1 priority mail, 2 ground packages daily. That way they will come every day and if I have a few more or less, its not a big deal. When I know I have 40 packages after a weekend, I go on-line and change that for that day, of course! I used to feel badly for the postman having to come up to my door daily, but then my brother in law who is a Postmaster explained that as long as you request a pick up ON-LINE (not just put them out without a pick up), the carrier gets extra time (pay) for coming to the door. Now I know why my carrier laughs and says he feels like Santa when he hauls 40 packages off my porch steps!
2. ORDER A COMPLETE VARIETY OF FREE SUPPLIES FROM THE USPS.
If you ship priority mail, which most of us on ebay do, you can get all different size boxes. For example, I order the 1095, 1097 and 1092 side loading boxes (shown in photo) as they are different sizes. I sell mostly clothing and try to keep my items at 1 pound or less -- I packed it in one box and it was 1.1 pounds -- and would be charged for 2# (anything over the exact pound is charged the next higher weight). I pulled out the smallest side loading box and it was 2 ounces lighter - YES! Still could ship it for 1 pound rate which is now almost the same as the flat rate padded envelope.
I also make sure to carry f lat rate priority and express mail, tyvek envelopes, padded envelopes, flat rate boxes, etc. However, if you ship things lighter than 3 pounds it is cheaper to weigh it than use a medium flat rate box. I seldom use express mail, but every now and then I will get an email requesting it and nothing is worse than having to make a trip to the PO for the right box, only to discover they are out of stock. Also order the rolls of priority mail and express mail stickers so you can put them on packages that are too large to have a free priority mail box to use. I put one sticker on each side of the package to be sure the post office knows it is not the slow parcel post but priority or express mail. So basically, here's the link, go on-line and order a few of every type of FREE packaging you think you can use (it has to be for shipping with the USPS, it is illegal to use them for anything else or try to turn them inside out and re-use).
3. TRIM THE EDGES OF THE BOXES TO MAKE THEM LIGHTER IF NEED BE.
I have an outfit I want to ship in a box (it looks much better to ship it in a box then crumpled up in a tyvek envelope where the tags get damaged). I weigh it and it is 1lb.1.8 oz - so since its over 1 pound I will be charged the higher rate. If I am already using the smallest free priority mail box I have, I don't give up. I just start trimming off the extra parts of the box.
I start by snipping the corners of the box top and bottom (If I have to re-open the bottom as I had already sealed it, I just use tape to close it after snipped.)
I weight it again and now it is 1 pound EXACTLY - I still have to put on a label and I don't like to be exactly on one pound and risk having a customer get a "postage due" -- gets you off to a very bad start with that customer, I can attest to that! So I always try to be slightly UNDER the pound marks. Back to snipping again.
This time I snip the non-sticky side of the top - sometimes I will do the top and bottom. Then I weight it again with the shipping label on -- 15.8 oz - yes! I have just saved around $2.00. It may sound like a lot of work, but snipping the boxes only takes a few seconds, and each add'l pound of shipping is usually $2-$3. At 100 packages a week, that is easily a $400 savings monthly on my priority mail packages (I ship many first class mail in boxes I purchase.)
4. PURCHASE BOXES FOR ITEMS 8 OZ AND LESS and ship first class mail. I used to ship anything "nice" that needed to be boxed priority mail -- until I discovered first class mail boxes you can purchase at stores like U-Line for 50 cents a box. 50 cents for the box - $3.23 if its the maximum shipping weight of 13 oz --- versus $5.50 - $6.50 if its 1 pound priority mail - that a savings of roughly $2-3 dollars per shipment. At 100 first class packages a month, that is at least a savings of $200 dollars.
5. FOR INEXPENSIVE ITEMS THAT AREN'T WORTH BUYING A BOX TO SHIP - I put the item INSIDE a manilla file folders INSIDE the tyvek or mailing envelope for lightweight protection to keep it from getting squished. Manilla envelopes are approx. 14 cents each plus shipping u-line sells poly shipping envelopes large like that one for about 40 cents each or less. Often my package shipping fee for something like an adult size t-shirt is $2.50 plus 50 cents for the manilla envelope and poly mailer - so about $3.00 instead of a priority mail fee of minimum of $5.35 - $6.50 - less if the item is lighter weight.
5. Re-USING OLD SHIPPING PACKAGING - This will depend on your clientele. I sell eco-friendly fair labor hemp & organic cotton tee shirts which are purchased by very earth conscious individuals, like my son who introduced me to hemp clothing. They often may be offended if you ship an earth-friendly shirt wrapped in tissue paper in new packaging. I save my decent old packaging for those items and write in magic marker on the package "recycled packaging - thank you for being earth friendly" so they know I am purposely re-using items, not that I'm too cheap to buy a box or shipping mailer.
The majority of my clients expect brand new packaging and the items to look great, so I use new packing materials for them. When I could not afford to buy boxes when my business was smaller, I would cut up or re-use clean but obviously used packaging and write on it "we recycle - thank you for being earth friendly" or print on a slip of paper "we are a green store and recycle whenever possible - thank you for helping save our planet" or something similar so they know you are recycling because you believe recycling is good, not because you went through the dumpster and picked out old boxes to save money shipping to them.:) I have done both and received positive feedback with new or recycled. Its really in your outlook - our attitude shows in our listings, our packages, everything. If you are positive and believe in what you do, it will spread to others. BTW, the boxes I don't recycle in shipping I pay to recycle (in our rural community you have to pay to have your items recycled) so it doesn't end up in a landfill.
Sonntag, 13. April 2014
schedule the USPS to come to your DOOR
1. SAVE GAS MONEY & TIME. Don't drive to the post office, schedule the USPS to come to your DOOR (not leave it in your mailbox) daily. If you ship just one priority mail item a day, you can schedule a free carrier pick up for as many items as you want and tell them where to pick it up. If packages are left in the mailbox they often get damp or can get stolen I went to the post office and asked for the official mail crate below and leave that on my porch and ask for a new one when the postal carrier picks this one up. I used to schedule my pick up by 2AM the night before (the cut off time), but now that I am regular, I schedule 4 months at a time for the approx. amount of items to pick up. We live in a rural area and a few mail carriers wanted me to put the items in the mailbox but I went on-line and requested "porch pick up" and told them (side porch, inside door, mailbox.) I put for example, 1 priority mail, 2 ground packages daily. That way they will come every day and if I have a few more or less, its not a big deal. When I know I have 40 packages after a weekend, I go on-line and change that for that day, of course! I used to feel badly for the postman having to come up to my door daily, but then my brother in law who is a Postmaster explained that as long as you request a pick up ON-LINE (not just put them out without a pick up), the carrier gets extra time (pay) for coming to the door. Now I know why my carrier laughs and says he feels like Santa when he hauls 40 packages off my porch steps!
2. ORDER A COMPLETE VARIETY OF FREE SUPPLIES FROM THE USPS.
If you ship priority mail, which most of us on ebay do, you can get all different size boxes. For example, I order the 1095, 1097 and 1092 side loading boxes (shown in photo) as they are different sizes. I sell mostly clothing and try to keep my items at 1 pound or less -- I packed it in one box and it was 1.1 pounds -- and would be charged for 2# (anything over the exact pound is charged the next higher weight). I pulled out the smallest side loading box and it was 2 ounces lighter - YES! Still could ship it for 1 pound rate which is now almost the same as the flat rate padded envelope.
I also make sure to carry f lat rate priority and express mail, tyvek envelopes, padded envelopes, flat rate boxes, etc. However, if you ship things lighter than 3 pounds it is cheaper to weigh it than use a medium flat rate box. I seldom use express mail, but every now and then I will get an email requesting it and nothing is worse than having to make a trip to the PO for the right box, only to discover they are out of stock. Also order the rolls of priority mail and express mail stickers so you can put them on packages that are too large to have a free priority mail box to use. I put one sticker on each side of the package to be sure the post office knows it is not the slow parcel post but priority or express mail. So basically, here's the link, go on-line and order a few of every type of FREE packaging you think you can use (it has to be for shipping with the USPS, it is illegal to use them for anything else or try to turn them inside out and re-use).
3. TRIM THE EDGES OF THE BOXES TO MAKE THEM LIGHTER IF NEED BE.
I have an outfit I want to ship in a box (it looks much better to ship it in a box then crumpled up in a tyvek envelope where the tags get damaged). I weigh it and it is 1lb.1.8 oz - so since its over 1 pound I will be charged the higher rate. If I am already using the smallest free priority mail box I have, I don't give up. I just start trimming off the extra parts of the box.
I start by snipping the corners of the box top and bottom (If I have to re-open the bottom as I had already sealed it, I just use tape to close it after snipped.)
I weight it again and now it is 1 pound EXACTLY - I still have to put on a label and I don't like to be exactly on one pound and risk having a customer get a "postage due" -- gets you off to a very bad start with that customer, I can attest to that! So I always try to be slightly UNDER the pound marks. Back to snipping again.
This time I snip the non-sticky side of the top - sometimes I will do the top and bottom. Then I weight it again with the shipping label on -- 15.8 oz - yes! I have just saved around $2.00. It may sound like a lot of work, but snipping the boxes only takes a few seconds, and each add'l pound of shipping is usually $2-$3. At 100 packages a week, that is easily a $400 savings monthly on my priority mail packages (I ship many first class mail in boxes I purchase.)
4. PURCHASE BOXES FOR ITEMS 8 OZ AND LESS and ship first class mail. I used to ship anything "nice" that needed to be boxed priority mail -- until I discovered first class mail boxes you can purchase at stores like U-Line for 50 cents a box. 50 cents for the box - $3.23 if its the maximum shipping weight of 13 oz --- versus $5.50 - $6.50 if its 1 pound priority mail - that a savings of roughly $2-3 dollars per shipment. At 100 first class packages a month, that is at least a savings of $200 dollars.
5. FOR INEXPENSIVE ITEMS THAT AREN'T WORTH BUYING A BOX TO SHIP - I put the item INSIDE a manilla file folders INSIDE the tyvek or mailing envelope for lightweight protection to keep it from getting squished. Manilla envelopes are approx. 14 cents each plus shipping u-line sells poly shipping envelopes large like that one for about 40 cents each or less. Often my package shipping fee for something like an adult size t-shirt is $2.50 plus 50 cents for the manilla envelope and poly mailer - so about $3.00 instead of a priority mail fee of minimum of $5.35 - $6.50 - less if the item is lighter weight.
5. Re-USING OLD SHIPPING PACKAGING - This will depend on your clientele. I sell eco-friendly fair labor hemp & organic cotton tee shirts which are purchased by very earth conscious individuals, like my son who introduced me to hemp clothing. They often may be offended if you ship an earth-friendly shirt wrapped in tissue paper in new packaging. I save my decent old packaging for those items and write in magic marker on the package "recycled packaging - thank you for being earth friendly" so they know I am purposely re-using items, not that I'm too cheap to buy a box or shipping mailer.
The majority of my clients expect brand new packaging and the items to look great, so I use new packing materials for them. When I could not afford to buy boxes when my business was smaller, I would cut up or re-use clean but obviously used packaging and write on it "we recycle - thank you for being earth friendly" or print on a slip of paper "we are a green store and recycle whenever possible - thank you for helping save our planet" or something similar so they know you are recycling because you believe recycling is good, not because you went through the dumpster and picked out old boxes to save money shipping to them.:) I have done both and received positive feedback with new or recycled. Its really in your outlook - our attitude shows in our listings, our packages, everything. If you are positive and believe in what you do, it will spread to others. BTW, the boxes I don't recycle in shipping I pay to recycle (in our rural community you have to pay to have your items recycled) so it doesn't end up in a landfill.
Abonnieren
Posts (Atom)