Question
A buyer wants something faster then priority mail....the only thing I have access to is Express Mail. But I don't have any of the envelopes or bags for it. I know the carrier pickup does Express Mail, but are there other forms to fill out or anything? I haven't given him that option yet, as it's very inconvenient for me to go to the post office with me taking care of my Dad. Anyone with any ideas or more info?
Answer
If I were you I'd just tell them that Express Mail is impossible for you right now, but you'll send it Priority first thing Monday. I do keep a few boxes and bags for EM here at the house, but use 'em very very rarely...hardly worth the effort.
By the time you go to the post office, get the stuff you need, pack it and go back again the next day I'd guess that priority would be just as fast. Especially if it'll fit in one of the flat rate envelopes.
How much extra are they willing to pay for Express mail? I'd personally have to charge at least $15.00 extra for the trips to town - and I don't have to find someone to care for a relative while I'm gone.
Depending on your local PO you might be able to call them early Monday morning and have the packaging you need brought out to you by your carrier. I do that occasionally if I run out of customs forms or something. But you should point out to your customer that this process will delay the shipping by a day or two, removing the advantage of Express Mail.
(Does your customer realize that Express Mail from remote addresses is not much faster than Priority Mail? The only places it works really well is from one large metropolitan area to another. You can probably find more details at the USPS site or with Shipping Assistant.)
Elaine
Answer
Does your customer realize that Express Mail from remote addresses is not much faster than Priority Mail?
Very true... for our hicksville town, nearly all express mail packages are 2-day service. For "nearly" the same service they can get it at 1/3 of the cost.
For us, the only option for next day service is FedEx priority overnight, IF I can get a hold of the driver BEFORE they come through town, otherwise, they have to wait for the next day to ship, anyhow. Sometimes, I can get a declining "GASP" from the buyer when I quote the FedEx priority overnight shipping charge. *LOL*
Cheers
Answer
Thanks for the info. I checked with usps.com and first class was 3 days, priority 2 days. I was going to quote him express (didn't think he would want to pay that much) and then accidently hit the send button the the email .... he wrote back that first class would be ok as he needed it by Halloween. Sheeesh. Makes me wonder how long he thought it was going to take to get there. But we all know how reliable that 2-3 day priority is....but he has extra days at least for it to get there.
I thought of ordering a few express envelopes just in case, but never got around to doing it.
Thanks for the info.
Answer
Hello,
Another little tool I like to use when comparing shipping services' delivery times and pricing is:
www.intershipper.com &
www.iship.com
Both do the same thing, but intershipper includes more delivery companies.
Hope this helps!
Sincerly,
Jason
Fast-Pack.com
www.fast-pack.com
www.fastpack.net
Answer
Thanks for the info Jason....I'll check them out.