posted on October 26, 2000 11:57:55 AM
I just heard something on the radio in Tucson yesterday that confirmed what I've suspected for months - Arizona has the highest incidence of lost and stolen mail in the country.
Having lived all over the country, I knew that we were having far more problems with mail service than I've ever seen anywhere else. Packages being lost, items arriving very late, letters torn, you name it.
One person told me that a padded envelope I sent arrived four weeks after the first date postmarked on it. I say "first date" because she said it was postmarked about a dozen times at differnt places and dates.
How can you deal with something like this?
The post office says to send everything by Priority with Delivery Confirmation or Insurance, but that costs at least three times what a padded mailer does. They also don't want to insure padded mailers or offer delivery confirmation on non priority mail.
So, you are basically stuck with priority.
On many small items the bidders rightfully feel they are being gouged by being asked to pay that much for postage.
When I lived elsewhere, we hardly ever had an item claimed as lost or damaged in the mails, so covering a rare incidence out of pocket was no problem. Almost as bad is the constant stream of requests for information on overdue mail. The lost time and money directly attributable to the quality of mail service really has me going up the wall.
posted on October 26, 2000 12:12:07 PM
I suspected as much: we found a whole pile of mail (a soggy mess after two weekends of rain) in the alley this weekend, with all the stamps ripped off to be traded in for booze at the liquor store and everything else ripped open for the checks. I spent the next two lunch hours calling to see who I owed money to.
Delivery confirmation IS available for non-Priority packages (just not first class letters)
posted on October 26, 2000 02:45:53 PM
The $0.60 charge is for a "Certificate of Mailing". It's proof of shipment, but isn't trackable. There should be no problem with insuring your mailers, no matter how you're sending them. I insure items sent First Class all the time.
always pickersangel everywhere
posted on October 26, 2000 05:14:04 PM
I sent a book to Arizona this summer. It took over 50 days via priority mail. Hvae good luck with dozens of others sent there though..
posted on October 26, 2000 05:14:54 PM
starlight -
You can't get Delivery confirmation on "First Class", which is what your padded mailers might be going as ... you CAN get it on parcel post, Special Standard (Book rate) AND Priority.
What rate are you using for your padded mailers. And if the item is not breakable, insurance should NOT be a problem.
Check the USPS Website (usps.com) for the rates. Print them out and take them with you.
