posted on September 4, 2000 06:41:33 PM
She will still have to pay postage first. Hotels use this method to ship something to you that you have left behind. They send it COD to make sure they get the postage back that they have spent but the post office will not attempt to deliver anything that doesn't have postage on it except sometimes something like a book where postage due is less than $3.00. A big item they definitely won't do, because you could always refuse it and then the post office will be out the money. The question is whether your friend is willing to front the money for the postage and then you will reimburse her through COD. Did she say how much it weighs and are you shipping parcel post? Is she willing to take it to UPS--might be cheaper.
[ edited by london4 on Sep 4, 2000 06:42 PM ]
I could be totally wrong (it's happened more often than I'd like to admit) but I think the sender determines the amount to be collected...regardless of the actual shipping costs. In other words, one could send you a package that had only $1.78 in postage but the item could not be accepted by you unless you paid the amount the sender disclosed needed to be collected. (Picture a big ole diamond ring in a small and lightweight box)
posted on September 4, 2000 06:52:36 PM
Carol...I don't know about the COD specs...BUT with heavier/larger packages THE way to go is UPS and NOT US POSTAL....UPS is much less expensive...
posted on September 4, 2000 07:34:20 PM
yes it seem to me that COD works as sugested sender still must pay shipping . with COD your not actually collecting the postage on the other end but what is owed on the goods in the package.
that is why most will not accept COD for auction sales that would mean you bid on my sale win owe me $20 I pay to shipping to ship Item to you COD on your end you would pay the postoffice $20 +there fee to get your Item they then send me $20.
what you are sugesting is sending mail with $300 insuficent postage.
posted on September 4, 2000 07:35:04 PM
FedEx ground is cheaper than UPS. You can schedule the pickup yourself and pay for it using your credit card. The courier will show up with the airbill all ready to go. I can't remember the name of the service, but it's the same one retailers use to pick up merchandise customers want to return.
If Amtrak is conveniently located, use them. When I moved from coast to coast, I shipped a pallet of stuff, 7 feet high, for $80.
posted on September 6, 2000 05:54:31 PM
Thanks to all who posted replies ... The UPS route seems to feel comfortable to me .... I can call them, arrange delivery, pay the bill and all she has to do is be home and open the door.
I don't know how fedex works, but with UPS, the only way a call tag can be issued is, if the package was originally delivered to a party and it needs to be returned.
