posted on January 5, 2001 08:14:20 AM
I am sorry if this has already been discussed, but I missed it. Maybe others did, too.
Regarding the postal rates, I kept hearing, it's up one penny for a letter, I thought, I can handle that!
Yesterday a postal employee explained that the new priority rates, under 1 lb., were $3.50 and under 2 lb. $3.95. YIKES!!!! I'd better check my auctions to make sure I'm covered....
posted on January 5, 2001 08:39:15 AM
Yep!! I just sent out ALL my pending items, that were waiting for check clearance, because of my own poor planning. If I'd let them sit for check clearance, I would have had to eat the cost of the shipping increase, so I went ahead and mailed 'em all out!
I really hate to have to think of going 1st class/parcel post instead, and having to scrounge for or buy boxes and such because of this. What a pain!
posted on January 5, 2001 10:26:10 AM
So for items 1lb and under, Priority postage will increase 30 cents, and for items 1-2 lbs, it'll increase 75 cents. Split the difference with the bidder and the increased cost to each of you ends up being between 15-40 cents.
Pennies do add up into dollars, but if neither your business nor your bidder can't handle 15-40 cents per sale, I think you're running pretty close to the red anyway.
posted on January 5, 2001 03:33:36 PM
Yes, I planned for it a few weeks ago and I sure was glad. A penny saved is a penny earned! I also put up a link in my auction pages to a site I put up with just the new postal rates to it that way people know I am not over charging them @
http://members.tripod.com/~Setonspath/postal.html
Since it is not where I pay for space if anyone wants to use the link in there auctions I have no problem with that. I plan on keeping it there for at least the next 6 months. It is just a bare bones these are the rates page, but I have already had a few customers say thanks I didn't know the rates are changing. . .
posted on January 5, 2001 03:53:50 PM
It's even worse at higher weights. For example, 6 pounds priority from NJ to CA used to cost $8.25. Now it's $10.35!! We ain't talking pennies here, HCQ. I made sure all my items were shipped before the new rates went into effect, so I didn't have to eat any rate increases.
posted on January 5, 2001 04:34:33 PM
Yes things have been happening here on planet earth. We are glad you made a good reentery and landing and can start catching up on things again now that you have access to TV and newspapers again.
posted on January 5, 2001 04:57:52 PM
I took a long hard look at shipping by parcel post or first class instead. The first problems is shipping supplies ~ you would have to charge a handling fee for them or they would eat all the profit. The next problem was with 1st class mail and Paypal. The only way you are protected by fraud through paypal among other things is that you have proof such as delivery confirmation and you can not get that for first class mail unless it weighs more than 1lb ~ and it costs more for delivery confirmation on parcel post then it does priority mail. On the other hand keep in mind that priority mail boxes weigh anywhere from 4 to 8 oz all by themselves depending on their size ~ so it will be hard to ship anything in them for under 1 lb. I have gone to the priority envelopes for that very reason!
posted on January 5, 2001 07:35:28 PMHCQ- In answer to your question. I'm staying with USPS. Smooth, fast and reliable for me.
The additional costs will be passed on. Also, USPS takes back Priority and I'll be watching their performance and hoping that things are status quo - Otherwise, I many consider Fed Ex ground if necessesary as the rumor is rates will near or lower than USPS. And never UPS. Too many damages for me in the past 25 years.
posted on January 5, 2001 07:47:02 PM
Fed Ex does not have a good way (one that does not cost extra money) for me to get them the package to deliver........UPS is something I have considered, however I got burned on estimating a package during the holidays because I did not measure the box and it just set me off with them, atleast at the post office, unless I have a really big box, I don't have to worry about that!
posted on January 5, 2001 08:10:37 PM
Yes they are going up a bunch! UPS rates are goin up in Feb. also. about 3.1%
Tracking nubers are going up to .40 Who is going to want to pay this much for shipping on a inexpensive item?
posted on January 5, 2001 10:20:15 PM
In the past anything I had 5lbs or over went to UPS because it was cheaper,but now I'll have to see what they are going up on their rates.I can imagine with gas going up again.What makes it worse is almost all my merchadise comes to me UPS.
