libbyparsons
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posted on January 10, 2001 07:59:50 PM new
I had about 30 some odd packages to mail today, priority mail as that is the only way (well used to be the only way) that I shipped. All of the items I sent were paid for before the rate increase (the shipping charges I mean) so I had to fork the rest over out of pocket. Bubble envelopes are looking mighty fine to me right now for the majority of what I sell. It's not going to be worth it anymore. I've had 3 people in the last 2 weeks complain because their priority mail shipping took over a week (one widget is 'missing' since the christmas rush). Shipping is going to cost more than items people sell pretty soon 
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 10, 2001 08:03:39 PM new
I was mailing all priority except for the items over 5lbs that I shipped by UPS...Now I'm looking at using UPS more for the 3-5lb stuff because the rates (depending upon how far you have to ship) will be as good or better. Even next month when UPS raises their rates it won't be nearly as much as priority rates went up!
I cringe when I write up an auction and have to put the new rates on them!
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IMLDS2
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posted on January 10, 2001 08:38:20 PM new
A LOT of the time if it was less than 50cents difference I'd upgrade from 1st class to priority(they didn't bother to tell me it didn't make a difference! grrrr)..took my first batch of mail for the new year in and had weighed and looked up the prices(and put the amount on the envelope) and didn't mail a SINGLE package priority. Most of mine went via Parcel Post.
Carole
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barbarake
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posted on January 11, 2001 04:03:10 AM new
Right now I sell mainly clothes on eBay. Unfortunately, they all seem to be right around 2 lbs - a couple ounces under, a couple over - but that's the average. As far as I can tell, priority is really the only way I can go. UPS is higher (esp. w/ the residential surcharge) and it's too heavy for 1st class. Hmm, maybe I should check out the parcel post. Somehow I don't think I'll save very much (and the horror stories of packages taking weeks to arrive scares me).
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wbmodrrsupaolcom
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posted on January 11, 2001 04:40:38 AM new
I started using first class more, I sell a lot of under 10 dollar items which way less than a pound, and felt the increase was to steep. What I don't get is why the 2lb and over rates went down from 4.30 to 3.95. Go figure? I get most of my packing materials free from a factory that otherwise would just through them away, so not getting free Priority boxes isn't hurting me to much. Also Wal-mart is getting into selling shipping supplies at good prices.
James S.
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kerrydaway
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posted on January 11, 2001 05:11:20 AM new
The 2lb rate change is to catch those of us who have packages that weigh 1lb 1oz that used to go for $3.20, now it will have to go for $3.95 up to 2 pounds. Most of my packages fall in to the slightly over 1 pound catagory, irritates the whatsit out of me.
kerrydaway here and there......
kerrydaway1 at that other place
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VIDPRO2
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posted on January 11, 2001 05:32:26 AM new
This chart will give you a decent idea of price differences between UPS Ground and USPS Priority. Alot of it depends on the zone you are sending it to, but the consistent price difference in favor of UPS starts at 8+ lbs
http://www.auctionbytes.com/Yellow_Pages/postrates/postrates.html
[ edited by VIDPRO2 on Jan 11, 2001 05:32 AM ]
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HJW
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posted on January 11, 2001 05:48:53 AM new
VIDPRO2
Thanks for the excellent shipping link. That will be very useful!!!
Helen
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DONINPA
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posted on January 11, 2001 05:55:15 AM new
James S.
I don't know what price chart you are looking at, but 2-3 lb. package went from $4.30 to $5.15. The $3.95 you are quoting is for 1-2 lbs. which used to cost $3.20. Under 1 lb. is now $3.50, which also was $3.20. No priority prices went down.
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cix
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posted on January 11, 2001 05:56:31 AM new
When I ship my items the majority of them are in plain brown boxes, so I would opt for the cheaper parcel post rate. I would ask the clerk for the cheaper rate, but usually there was only a 5 cent difference between parcel post and Priority mail.
Yesterday I when I shipped out the difference was 50 cents !
Needless to say, everything went out parcel post or first class.
I do not mind eating 5 cents per item even though I ship 30-40 items, thats only about $1.50 - $2.00 dollars, BUT I am not going to eat 50 cents per item, thats about $15.00 - $20.00 dollars !!!!
I never state in my auctions or my EOA that I ship Priority, but before the rate change everyone pretty much got Priorty mail. Now, very few will.
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harvestmoon
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posted on January 11, 2001 06:01:26 AM new
What I don't get is why the 2lb and over rates went down from 4.30 to 3.95. Go figure?
I'm not sure I follow you on this one. Two lb rate used to be $3.20, not $4.30. Two pound rate is now $3.95. Three pound rate was $4.30, now $5.15, so your statement above doesn't make any sense to me unless I'm misunderstanding your point.
[ edited by harvestmoon on Jan 11, 2001 06:02 AM ]
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mystarchild
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posted on January 11, 2001 06:08:51 AM new
Priroty Rates did go up but realize they now have two tier's one rate for 1 lb and under and one for 2-lb and over. S
Still a good deal in my book as they supply you with shipping boxes, envelopes etc.. - bubble packs are $$ out of my pocket.
Christmas is always a goofy time for gettig things on time any way no matter how you ship - and as for rates GOING UP and folks having to make up difference in auctions that just ended - to me that is the SELLERS fault as the rate increase was know for smetime and you should have adjusted auctions to reflect increase - I did.
Katha
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karenlynn
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posted on January 11, 2001 06:19:48 AM new
What is the difference between first class & parcel post? On the USPS calculater, I don't see first class, just parcel post.
Karen
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libbyparsons
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posted on January 11, 2001 08:17:05 AM new
cix ~
I stated in my TOS that all packages would be mailed Priority Mail and people appreciated that. Last night I spent 4 hours revising every auction of mine that did not have a bid on it to take that phrase out because I will not be using Priority any more. The Walmart where I live has quite decent prices on bubblevlopes so I will stock up on those. If the difference, as someone else said, was only a few cents I wouldn't mind. But it's not.
Now to figure out what I am going to do with the boxes and boxes and boxes of Priority Mail supplies I have in my storage room...
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 11, 2001 08:29:44 AM new
karenlynn:
first class pertains to a piece that is 13 ounces or less and parcel post would be the cheaper alternative to priority mail for parcels over 13oz.
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avmom
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posted on January 11, 2001 08:30:14 AM new
Vidpro2,
Thank you for the wonderful reference. Half of the stuff I ship weigh between 2 lb. and 5 lb. your rate comparison will help me determine which is the BEST price for the multiple wins. I am totally bummed with the rate increase from USPS. Oh well, at least we still get those free boxes. Also to me, the difference between Priority and Parcel Post in my experience has only been $.05 difference!
avmom (not avmom on eBay)
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apbabruce
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posted on January 11, 2001 09:26:17 AM new
Okay, I'm not exactly sure why all the shouting, but Postal rates aren't THAT bad. Gosh! Everyone in the country knows the rates went up, so if your charges go up, what's the difference? I've always used Priority Mail (free boxes and tape more than make up for the increase in charges) and will continue to do so.
I personally feel it's much ado about nothing.
Then again, I expect you all to jump on me and beat me to a pulp...so I'll go hide now. LOL (be nice, I'm kidding)
BSM
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VIDPRO2
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posted on January 11, 2001 10:45:13 AM new
No Problem, Avmom & HJW. I should say that the chart is based on UPS Ground to a residential address, and taken to a drop-off office.
There are so many things to consider when shipping. In my case, there is a Post Office 2 minutes from my house, and a UPS office over 20 minutes away. Does it make sense for me to go 15 miles to a UPS station to save .25 cents? It will probably cost me $3.00 in gasoline to save that quarter. In cases like that, I'd rather eat the difference and save the gas and time.
It's when you get into the items that are close to 20 lbs that you can see a substantial difference in shipping costs ($10 or more) and I feel like I have a responsibility to my customers to give them the best price possible.
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cin131
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posted on January 11, 2001 10:56:14 AM new
I'll continue to ship priority, unless the buyer has another preference. I agree tha the rate hike stinks, but my buyers pay shipping, so it's not that big of a deal.
I know that probably affects our profits in a way. I always think about shipping when I am bidding on something. It's a great price at XX, but when I add shipping, it aint alwasy that great!
cin131
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BlondeSense
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posted on January 11, 2001 11:20:48 AM new
Apbabruce, to a certain extent, I agree with you. If you sell items for $50.00 or more, going up 50 cents shipping probably won't make much difference. Most of my purchases, however, are in the $5.00 to $10.00 range. By the time you add up the priority postage, fee for money order, insurance if required, DC, etc.,(and don't forget 34 cents to mail the payment) it can easily double the original bid. In the low dollar auctions, the higher the shipping costs - the lower the bids.
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apbabruce
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posted on January 11, 2001 11:34:15 AM new
I guess I can see your point. But people purchase things via mail order/internet purchase each and every day. And I would hope they understand that there's going to be a shipping charge within.
Who knows! We're probably both right in some strange cosmic sense! LOL
I sell items that sell for mostly $20 and up, and I explain what my shipping charge will be in the listing. And with the increase in postal rates, I've increased my shipping charge. It hasn't stopped my bidders yet.
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zeenza
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posted on January 11, 2001 02:08:56 PM new
Aren't those weighted down Priority Boxes too heavy? Seems like we could save some cents in ounces using an alternative.
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cin131
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posted on January 11, 2001 02:27:48 PM new
zeenza
I was wondering about that too, cause I ship alot of clothing. With the tyvek priority envelopes, I think the price is the same. Up to 1 lb is what it says. I don't know about plain tyvek envelopes though. They are rather expensive, so I don't know if it would save much money.
Someone else was wondering about what to do with all their priority boxes. I would think you could take them to the post office.
cindy
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cin131
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posted on January 11, 2001 02:35:13 PM new
I just looked at the USPS website. I ship mostly clothing, so things don't usually weigh a whole lot. For a 1.5 lb package, parcel post is 50 cents less. For a 2 lb 1oz package it is 39 cents less. Parcel post also quotes a deliver time of up to 6 days.
By the time you buy tyvek or boxes, you might as well ship priority!
I guess I'll give the buyer both options and let them decide. Parcel post does quote 6 days.
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libbyparsons
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posted on January 11, 2001 02:41:37 PM new
I went to the post office today and asked them what I should do with the tons of Priority Mail supplies I have...and do you know what they said?!
They told me to throw them away!!!!!!
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apbabruce
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posted on January 11, 2001 02:59:56 PM new
You could always use them, you know. The USPS isn't all that bad!
BSM
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outoftheblue
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posted on January 11, 2001 03:13:38 PM new
barbarake
For clothing sellers Parcel Post with delivery confirmation would be the best deal, if you have a steady supply of free boxes. If you have to purchase shipping boxes, Priority is still a better deal (unfortunately).
We also use tyvek bags to save money at times, but make sure you tape the seams. They will split open in transit.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Jan 11, 2001 03:18 PM ]
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birdwatcher-07
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posted on January 11, 2001 03:55:54 PM new
I wonder if the post office is ready for the much bigger load of parcel post packages they are going to be getting from people and businesses who can't afford to ship Priority? Most likely, they are not!
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Catawba
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posted on January 11, 2001 06:59:49 PM new
I shipped an 11 pound item today- the cheapest rate available was 18.49!Plus 2.00 for insurance. I had figured the total to come to about 11.00. OUCH!
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labelle
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posted on January 11, 2001 07:37:11 PM new
Hi all
I have worked at a PO Bulk Mail Center for a few Christmases now.After obseving the PO at work--I use 1st class-insured for stuff under a pound-I charge $2.50 and use padded mailers and bubblewrap or small boxes in the mailer.I sell jewelry,beads and buttons- and can combine 3-4 auctions for that amount.
Things over a pound- I use Priority Mail- love those free supplies that Ican oorder online!If a buyer demands Parcel Post or Media Mail(old book rate)I will INSIST on insurance!!
I will use insurance or tracking on ALL items over $10 value.
The last 2 items that I personaly got as a buyer that were sent book rate---the one in a padded mailer had a tire track down the middle of the envelope and the other had black IBM copier toner powder from a spill all inside of it and on the retaped, repacked box. Luckily the books were also wrapped in plastic bags.
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