posted on November 14, 2000 03:47:55 AM new
I just read in the paper Priority mail will be $3.50 for up to 1 pound & $3.95 up to 2 pounds. Starts in early January.
posted on November 14, 2000 05:53:46 AM new
I heard from my postal guys that insurance up to $50 is going to $1.35. I didn't ask about the higher insurance rates, but I am sure they are increasing also. Also that the current 2 pound rate was going to $3.85! Regardless, this will impact the community. The post office said they weren't making enough money so they had to increase the rates to keep up with costs. ummmm they are one of the few 'federal' agencies that are always in the black. I guess they want to make 2 billion vs 1 billion.
posted on November 14, 2000 06:05:41 AM new
Re: insurance going up from 85c to $1.35 - this is the Post Office's solution to the fact that they manhandle stuff.
I'm sure claims have been up since eBay got huge, and this summer it seemed no matter how I packed an item, 2 items/month got smashed.
If my homeowner's or auto insurance went up 58%, I could switch to another company.
I wish the postal service would just forget about priority (though I love the free boxes) - maybe if workers didn't feel stressed to get everything delivered in 2-3 days, they'd smash less of our stuff. Instead, they reward themselves with a rate increase for shoddy service!
posted on November 14, 2000 08:09:14 AM new
Excerpts from proposed changes:
Special Standard Mail would be renamed Media Mail.
Standard Mail (B) would be renamed Package Services. Package Services would include Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail (formerly Special Standard Mail), and Library Mail.
For Priority Mail, a separate price for pieces weighing 1 pound or less would be added.
For Parcel Post, the minimum 16-ounce weight requirement would be removed. Pieces weighing less than 1 pound would be subject to the full, applicable rate for a piece weighing 2 pounds.
money orders
Also, It is proposed to increase the fee for domestic money orders from $0.80 to $0.90 per money order. It is proposed to increase the fee for APO/FPO money orders from $0.30 to $0.35 per money order. It is proposed to increase the inquiry fee from $2.75 to $3.00. There are no classification changes proposed for this service and the maximum amount would remain at $700.
posted on November 14, 2000 08:35:32 AM new
i remember ths old 2.90, 2 days line....i shudder to think years down the road when it will cost 167$ to ship a priority package...;p
posted on November 14, 2000 08:51:47 AM new
Delivery Confirmation (DMM S918)
The fee for retail option Priority Mail Delivery Confirmation (i.e., purchased by a customer over a retail counter) is proposed to increase from $0.35 to $0.40. The fee for retail option Package Services Delivery Confirmation is proposed to increase from $0.60 to $0.65. No change is proposed to the fees for electronic option Delivery
Confirmation for Priority Mail and Package Services.
posted on November 14, 2000 09:44:40 AM new
Check out u-pic insurance as an inexpensive and easy alternative to USPS insurance.
Their current rates (depending on which program you sign up for) are $.45 per $100 of insurance. They are user friendly- when I signed up, their rep called me and explained everything in language even I understood. No need to stand in line at the post office.
The one potential drawback is that there's nothing on the outside of the box indicating that the item is insured (u-pic says this reduces the liklihood of theft). Some buyers might become confused and think the item was not insured. U-Pic suggests explaining in your EOA email that you use private insurance, and also including a pre-printed note inside the package indicating that the package was insured through U-Pic, and for what amount.
Steve
[email protected]
