Question
So, after shipping with UPS for three years, I am going back to the USPS. I won't be using UPS anymore. What new features or services does the USPS offer that I should know about? My posties at the post office don't generally know much about new services & such.
I loved printing out my postage at home for my UPS pickups. I now own my UPS thermal printer. Does the USPS now offer any services where I can print my postage at home?
What is the deal with the flat rate Priority boxes? Is there anywhere online that I can order some boxes?
I am really out of the loop with USPS, so any tips or help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks.
Answer
Drive-by post, can't stop but I had this bookmarked so here you go . . .
Pri Flat Rate Boxes (LOVE these!)
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jenileigh, from the home page http://www.usps.com/ you can see links to many features, including printing a shipping label (AKA Click-N-Ship). You can choose to print a label with or without postage.
You can add the destination to an online address book.
You can also schedule a next-day package pickup (my personal fave ).
It's not a true tracking system, but if you use Delivery Confirmation you can find out whether the package has arrived yet.
You can order free supplies, including the flat-rate boxes, per Nan's link.
Some people here prefer USPS Shipping Assistant, a desktop tool, to using the website. USPS had announced they were discontinue Shipping Assistant, but changed their minds in response to customer outcries. (I haven't used it so don't know what I'm missing. )
There are also thrid-party postage solutions. Many here members swear by Endicia. (Haven't used that one either....)
Ms. C.
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If you're going to the post office, then prior to that download your labels from Shipping Assistant, on the USPS website. The software is free. You pay the postage at the P.O. or Endicia looks real nice too.
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I only ship Priority in the US, mind you, but my shipping labels are all created online using Click-N-Ship: https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do
You can store up to 1,000 addresses, and they email notification of shipment and tracking info to your recipient. I print labels on my laser with plain paper, attaching them with tacky glue and tape. Everything is ready to be dropped at the PO, or picked up by my carrier when I see her.
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The post office told me to call to get boxes and supplies. The website ordering is iffy at best.
800-610-8734
Jo
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Thank you everybody for the tips & info!! I shipped with USPS for three years & went to UPS for three years, so I am pretty out of the loop.
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You can also order free Priority Mail boxes, both regular and flat rate, directly off the ebay site. It's a PITA to find the link, and the boxes bear an ebay cobrand, but I've always received the boxes ordered there.
If the items you sell tend to be light you may find the flat rate boxes to be nearly useless. The 11 x 8.5 x 5.5 would be a terrific size for a lot of the items I mail, but I can charge my customers less for shipping by using a regular #7 Priority box and charging a bit for the peanuts required to fill the extra space.
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We have our old ups thermal printer set up to do the postage for usps thru endicia.
Also opted for a 3rd party insurance instead of usps to help keep costs down.
Post carrier will pick up the packages or we take them to the post office.
Small town postmaster has been very accomodating.
chloe
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CG - That's what I am looking for. I have the thermal UPS printer & that's what I want to use for printing labels. Do you have a source that you get your labels from for the printer? And who do you use for shipping insurance?