barbarake
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posted on September 10, 2000 06:40:43 AM new
Hi everyone - In a previous thread, I heard that USPS priority rates are going up. Has anyone heard anything further about this? Is it true?
Thanks.
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packer
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posted on September 10, 2000 06:47:34 AM new
Yup, going up the first of the year.
33 cents to 34
$3.20 priority to $3.85
so on and so on.
I think there will be a priority break for packages 16 oz and under $3.45.
Having a BAD hair moment! ... 
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SEABHS
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posted on September 10, 2000 07:26:40 AM new
as if they weren't making ENOUGH from e-commerce...I spend about $300.00 a month just mailing ebay parcels. We will just have to pass the cost on to our buyers!!!
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sborchert
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posted on September 10, 2000 07:50:19 AM new
When I read about the increase in rates in an earlier thread I asked my Post Mistress about it. She hasn't heard a thing. Guess the people that work for USPS will be the last to know. 
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vargas
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posted on September 10, 2000 08:02:42 AM new
The chart for the proposed priority mail rate increases can be found on the USPS web site:
http://new.usps.com/cgi-bin/uspsbv/scripts/content.jsp?A=H&D=22808&K=H&U=X&U1=B&U2=H
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vogeldanl
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posted on September 10, 2000 08:12:28 AM new
Increase in fees due to misuse of Priority boxes??!!
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chum
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posted on September 10, 2000 08:43:36 AM new
Looks like I will be shipping everything parcel post. I think the priority boxes are a ripoff anyway due to the quality. My customers wont like that big of a increase, so I will support sellers and buy their shipping boxes.
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borgt
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posted on September 10, 2000 09:35:05 AM new
Where has anyone found that the rates are going up at the first of the year? All I can find is "not before 2001"
Also found something interesting. Special Standard Mail (book rate) is going to be officially called "Media Mail"
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bobbysoxer
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posted on September 10, 2000 09:44:31 AM new
Here you go:
http://new.usps.com/cgi-bin/uspsbv/scripts/content.jsp?A=H&D=22808&K=H&U=X&U1=B&U2=H
"Media Mail" where did they find this?
not bobbysoxer on eBay
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borgt
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posted on September 10, 2000 09:50:33 AM new
I still don't see a date for the increase...
I found out about "Media Mail" here:
http://www.framed.usps.com/clr/fr829.txt
The date for the increase might be in that document also, but it's not exactly fun reading. All I could find is "not before 2001" That doesn't tell me much!
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dman3
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posted on September 10, 2000 10:03:10 AM new
I am only shipping priority from now on if it is requested buy who I sell to and they want to pay for this service.
since I stated useing priority shipping pages I have found that every item I ship in these boxes get a complaint about handleing and I have had two complaints of damage shipping in these boxes at these rates.
while useing boxes I found or bought weather shipping priority or parcel post I have 0 complaints or damage.
same packageing goes in to both type boxes but the priority boxes arive wraped and sealed in plastic crushed by banding and dented all in the name of care and carefull handleing.
I am concidering going in to the custum styrofoam packageing business for auction sellers and sell custum made padding for the one of a kind items we all ship padding made to fit your item snuggle and to sild into custum size boxes for solid safe shipping.
what do you think you can buy from me a custom styrfoam packageing made to fit that set of 4 or 6 crystla glasses each boxed and padded will fit in the foam box like try all you need is to make find or buy a box the size of the foam to slide it in to 
WWW.dman-n-company.com
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auctionee
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:02:50 AM new
"Q: Why are Priority Mail rates increasing so much?
A: Priority Mail costs have increased as the Postal Service has worked to improve service. To lessen the impact of the increase needed to cover this rise in costs, we are proposing a new one-pound Priority Mail rate of $3.45. Currently mailers pay the same rate for all pieces weighing less than two pounds."
Funny, I don't see anything here about the MISUSE OF PRIORITY BOXES!
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bobbysoxer
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:04:52 AM new
Thanks borgt for the link but what I meant to say "how did they come up with 'Media Mail?'"
not bobbysoxer on eBay
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auctionee
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:09:01 AM new
"Thanks borgt for the link but what I meant to say "how did they come up with 'Media Mail?'"
They came up with this name because you can now send books, computer software, audio tapes, video tapes...basically any kind of media for "book rate" so they are changing the name to cover them all.
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bobbysoxer
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:10:16 AM new
auctionee yes in my opinion too that misuse of the priority boxes and materials would cause the rates to go up.
And everone suffers.
not bobbysoxer on eBay
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borgt
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:13:44 AM new
In the big picture, the cost of Priority box abuse is miniscule. The rates are going up because they always go up every few years... like everything else. Have you bought gas lately? Here in the L.A. area it's not unusual to see $2.00/gallon right now. Wages are going up, new computer systems are being installed in practically every post office, etc.
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bobbysoxer
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:14:05 AM new
Auctionee I was aware that other items besides books such as records and the other items you mentioned were covered under the bookrate, but it just seems to me they could do better.
not bobbysoxer on eBay
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figmente
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:52:29 AM new
rates are going up because...
USPS is now in the business of maximizing profit.
USPS is worried that online bill paying will reduce their income from such mail and wishes to invest in questionable initiatives to recoup.
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auctionee
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:52:37 AM new
"Auctionee I was aware that other items besides books such as records and the other items you mentioned were covered under the bookrate, but it just seems to me they could do better."
LOL, remember we're talking about the USPS here.
[ edited by auctionee on Sep 10, 2000 11:53 AM ]
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msgodrocks
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posted on September 10, 2000 11:54:35 AM new
Unless it is VERY HEAVY, you will have to send it first class if you use the POst Office.......UPS isn't much better. I have had wonderful luck with the Priority services and boxes and those bags are almost indestructable!!!
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mapledr1216
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posted on September 10, 2000 03:03:40 PM new
The rates are not going up because some people misuse the free Priority shipping items. The rates are going up because the USPS's expenses have increased due to higher fuel costs (just think how many gallons of gasoline the USPS must use everyday), more and more automation equipment (even small offices are getting letter sorting machines because it cuts down on the number of employees. Larger offices are getting flat-sorting machines), and the greatest increased expense: All letter carriers will receive pay increases to the next level step. Individually, this will not mean that much more for each carrier, but as a whole will cost the USPS a billion dollars a year. This increase was negogiated by the carriers union over a year ago and, at that time, insiders predicted the USPS would have to increase rates to meet the increased expense.
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keziak
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posted on September 10, 2000 04:12:30 PM new
HI - the couple of comments about Priority boxes not standing up to shipping surprised me. I cannot recall any complaints from buyers in all I have shipped. I did hear from one buyer that a book-rate carton opened under the strain (along the seam where I'd taped it).
Priority mail is simply faster than book rate and I've had many fewer problems with delivery. I've noticed that some sellers will charge buyers $4 for the $3.20 priority rate, so I figure as long as I continue to sell with no handling add-ons, I'll be competitive (esp. with other mail order sources).
Keziak
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guyuellas
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posted on September 10, 2000 05:56:21 PM new
I spend about $300.00 a month just mailing ebay parcels.
***********************8
Don't you mean your winning bidders pay? If it is so than you are not the one spending it now are you? Hee!Hee!
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guyuellas
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posted on September 10, 2000 06:08:22 PM new
Looks like I will be shipping everything parcel post. I think the priority boxes are a ripoff anyway due to the quality. My customers wont like that big of a increase, so I will support sellers and buy their shipping boxes.
****************************
The boxes are good quality. I use there square ones and tube boxes all the time to send stuff out. Even their usual ones you find at the post office are sturdy.
As far as customers not liking the increase than guess they'll pay proirty and have to wait a longer period to get it.
************************************
Is there any mention about parcel post rates? The last time they raised priority parcel post fell right with it. I often try to send stuff priority but the difference is usaully only 5 or 10 cents difference so I ship priority. If the rate is 50 cents or less between priority and parcel post I send it priority. NO I DON'T LOSE out cause I already decide on the least I'll take for an item when I start and auction and 99.9% of the time I'm making a whole lot more than it's worth or what it cost me to get it.
I look at it this way if I pay a quarter for an item and I sell it for $25.00 or even less say 5-6 $ I've still made out so why not pay the difference and ship it priority. Your customer gets it sooner than they expected, are estatic, and leave you glowing feedback.
I buy more than I sell on the internet and the fee going up is not a big deal to me or even a factor. If I want the item I will bid and pay. If I ordered thru a mail order company I'd have to pay....... if I bought it retail locally the business will already have figured out their shipping in the price we pay so what's the difference if one bids and wins auctions on the internet. As buyers we all know we have to pay the shipping (well most of the time). If a bidder wants the item they could care less what the shipping is or if the postal services raises the fees or not, they want it and will pay to have it shipped to them.
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lmsh
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posted on September 11, 2000 07:01:10 AM new
Here you go: No date has been set that I know of:
RATES AND FEES
The 2-pound Priority Mail rate would increase from $3.20 to $3.85. The $3.85 rate would also apply to the flat-rate envelope.
The proposal calls for a new $3.45 1-pound rate for Priority Mail. Currently mailers pay the same rate for all pieces weighing less than 2 pounds.
Priority Mail Rates
These rates are available up to 70 pounds.
Weight (Pounds)
Current Rate
Proposed Rate
1 pound or less
$3.20
$3.45
Flat Rate1
$3.20
$3.85
Over 1, up to 2
$3.20
$3.85
Over 2, up to 3
$4.30
$5.10
Over 3, up to 4
$5.40
$6.35
Over 4, up to 5
$6.50
$7.60
1The 2-pound rate is charged for matter sent in a flat-rate envelope provided by the Postal Service regardless of the weight of the piece.
DELIVERY CONFIRMATION
No-fee electronic delivery confirmation service for Priority Mail would continue. The retail delivery confirmation service fee would increase from 35 to 40 cents.
SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION
Signature confirmation provides the customer confirmation of delivery, plus a copy of the recipient’s signature. Electronic signature confirmation service would be $1.25. Retail signature confirmation service would be $1.75.
BULK INSURANCE SERVICE
Bulk insurance service discounts would increase substantially over the current discount of 40 cents per insured piece. Separate discounts would be available for "unnumbered" ($50 and under) and "numbered" ($50.01 to $5,000) insured articles. The discount for unnumbered insured articles would be 75 cents per insured piece, and for numbered insured articles the discount would be $1.00 per insured piece.
PICKUP SERVICE
Pickup service is available for Express Mail, Priority Mail, and Parcel Post. The fee for pickup service would increase from $8.25 to $10.25.
Hope this helps.
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chinaguys
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posted on September 11, 2000 02:08:28 PM new
Here's the URL for the full rate case:
http://new.usps.com/cgi-bin/uspsbv/scripts/category.jsp?A=H&B=Info&C=-10148&U=X&U1=B&U2=H
What they've managed to hide very well is that the insurance rate is also going up, from 85 cents to $1.35 for up to $50 coverage and from $1.80 to $2.10 for $50 or more.
This means that a 2-lb priority mail package with $50 insurance which now costs $4.05 will cost $5.20 under the new rates. This is about a 28% rise in shipping costs.
Makes UPS seem cheaper every day. (And those darn free boxes for priority mail are only any good if they are the right size for the stuff you're selling. I rarely am able to use them--either too big or too small.)
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violetta
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posted on September 11, 2000 06:07:48 PM new
As a purchaser of fragile items, I am discovering that the Priority boxes are not adequate protection for large or heavy (around 5 pounds or more) fragile items. For instance, ALL Priority boxes I recieve have dents in them sufficient to break an opening into the box. And I have had numerous breakages in the past 4 months, most of which were in Priority boxes -- and often they were packed adequately with bubblewrap and foam peanuts. Sellers packing fragile items should strongly consider using double-layer (or is it triple? - 3 flat layers and 2 corrugated layers) corrugated cardboard boxes or double-boxing the fragile item(s).
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
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celticmuse
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posted on September 11, 2000 07:49:44 PM new
I had heard about the insurance increase. Have you checked out UPIC for insurance. Outstanding customer service and 40 cents per hundred dollars valuation for US and Canada and 45 cents per 100 overseas. Just filed my first claim a month ago totally hassle free. Why would anyone pay $2.10 to insure a $51 dollar package when you can insure it for 40 cents??
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krs
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posted on September 11, 2000 08:39:04 PM new
The rate increase will be effective 01-01-2001.
It's an across the board increase with the highest percentages falling to priority mail.
It'll happen again 01-01-2004 for those of you who like to live in heightened states of anticipation.
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SEABHS
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posted on September 11, 2000 10:08:28 PM new
Postage is expensive but look at the price of gasoline! And regarding UPS....Priority mail, for me, is MUCH faster and cheaper than UPS!!! I think the boxes are great but would not use them for anything extremely fragile, though I have received fragile thngs in them just fine, that were wrapped and padded.
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