Question
A U.S. Postal Service representative is interested in popping in for a chat about their new priority boxes or anything else you may wish to ask. The representative is from package services for the U.S. Postal Service.
Is this something you would be interested in? If so, what time would be best in order to make sure plenty of folks were here to ask questions?
Thank you,
U-PIC Insurance
Answer
YES!!
Given enough time (couple of weeks), I can schedule for it at any time--I'm on the west coast.
Answer
I know I've been really busy lately, but... what new priority boxes??? And can we still use the old ones? Can someone post a link to an announcement, because I know I won't be able to be around for the chat.
TIA,
Ms. C.
Answer
Post a time here.
Answer
This might be a good time to bring up the gotcha with the online generated Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation included labels where USPS does not wand the package upon their receipt per regulations to not do so. Not wanding the online generated USPS label leaves the seller likely to eat a loss when they cannot prove ONLINE that a lost or delayed package was actually seller mailed for eBay/PayPal's satisfaction. A certificate of shipping is a paper receipt which PayPal refuses to accept as either party can alter those while online proof can't be seller or buyer altered. Even USPS insurance isn't going to help as the package status is going to indicated the item was expected but not mailed.
What we need is for online postage printed items to be wanded upon any receipt updating that the item was indeed mailed, not just expected from the shipper.
The last time I mentioned this to USPS in writing, they informed me that only Express Mail has end to end tracking and that they won't wand due to it causing Priority Mail to compete with Express Mail. Well, we're not asking to track the package through USPS, only to know that the item was mailed in an online method.
Several sellers when told of this mentioned that their USPS office does wand their online printed label packages for them even though it violates the USPS regulations. Other sellers, including myself, reported that the USPS local office will NOT wand, or does so only when we refuse to leave the customer line until they do so. The USPS local inconsistency causes sellers to not all be unified in their support for making sure wanding is required per regulation.
I pointed out that the competing services of FedEx Home Delivery (Ground) and UPS do indeed offer at no or little cost tracking online which proves to eBay/PayPal's satisfaction that the seller did indeed mail the purchased item.
Answer
I'm looking forward to hearing from the USPS rep. I too have an issue with the scanning of on line generated labels. It the USPS system is set up for this as my clerk first enters the delivery confirmation option that generates a fee. Next, when scanned, the fee is credited. There have been arguments over this, and its application is very inconsistant within USPS.
Also, there are Priority boxes that are available but cannot be ordered online. I'd like to know how to obtain those additonal sizes.
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I doubt I can be here, but I'd like someone to ask this rep about the way PO's offer (or don't) standard Priority boxes. My local PO only offers Flat Rate Priority boxes, not standard ones we can get online. I've even been told by one of my posties that there is no such thing as a #4, #6 or even a 1095 that is NOT flat rate. The average customer is being ripped off with this practice.
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Sounds great. I will be speaking with them this afternoon and will find out their availability. Thank you for the replies. Check back to vote on the day we pick for the chat.
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The U.S. Postal Service team would like to chat on Tuesday, May 16th at 3:15 est. Does that work for you?
The chat will take place in the shipping forum so that we can stick it to the top of the forum. They will also continue to answer questions after the initial chat has ended.
Several managers along with package services will be present to answer all your questions. They would like to start off the discussion talking about the new priority boxes and displaying pics etc. However, they are open to answering all questions you may have
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I'll do my best to be there. Looking forward to it!!! U-Pic ROCKS!!!!