posted on January 8, 2001 09:28:43 PM new
OK..I've been reading the posts about the increases...thought I had it all strait in my head...NOPE.
Please give me a SIMPLE phrased reply...my mind is spinning.
1. 1st class up to 12 oz is the cheapest rate?
2. Parcel post...you mean there is STILL a parcel post? and that is 12 oz -2lbs? (so over 12 oz parcel post is the way to go?)
3. Can anything go parcel?
4. What/where is UPIC?
5. And priority is now one of the most expensive ways to ship?
6. There is a book rate and a media rate..and you should have BOTH checked to be sure you get the cheapest rate? (Boy that should increase postal lines...
7. Why is this so complicated? Isn't anything simple anymore? aarrgghh...
Now remember...no yelling at me...I'm sensitive this month...sniff sniff...I turn 50 this month ya know...sniff sniff
posted on January 8, 2001 10:03:01 PM new
Oky, let's see...
1. First Class goes up to 13 ounces. First ounce 34 cents; then add 21 cents for each additional ounce. Max is $2.86. So it is the cheapest.
2.Parcel post goes up to 70 pounds or so. (So does Priority.) For a package, this is the way to go, depending on the weight and where it is going. Sometimes Priority will be less than a quarter more. Use the usps rate calculator at http://postcalc.usps.gov/
to determine rates.
3.Anything can go parcel.
4.UPIC offers shipping insurance. They cover UPS, USPS, FED EX and just about anything else. They are at www.u-pic.com
Their site is confusing, but they have good customer service, so email them with your questions. In a nut shell, their insurance is much cheaper, and can be purchased in a variety of ways. Costs and such depend on your shipping volume. Other message boards sing their praise to u-pic.
5. Priority is getting up there. Again, it depends on the weight and destination.
6. As I understand it, there is no more Book Rate. It is now called Media Rate. Pretty much the same thing overall.
7. This is so complicated because when Ben Franklin established the Postal Service, he swore the Postmaster General to a super secret oath: Maximus Complicus Posta, which has been passed down to each Postmaster General. Each has also felt compelled to adhere to a favorite saying of Ben's: A confused neighbor steals no turkeys.
I believe there is a difference between media and book rate as far as some stuff can be shipped under one and other stuff the other. (Did that make sense??) In other words, a package may qualify for one but not the other.
#5, well there's still Express
I hope I helped somewhat
~~Angels fly because they take themselves lightly~~
posted on January 9, 2001 05:18:23 AM new
Don't want to jump in with both feet without being sure of myself....but prior to "Black Sunday" (1-7-01), a package had to weigh at least 1 pound to qualify for parcel post, and I'm not aware that that has changed.
And I have argued the case...."Charge me for one pound, if that's the minimum"...but no go....package had to actually weigh at least a pound!
For shorter distances, or for very heavy items, parcel post is usually considerably cheaper. But for a 2-5 pound package going across the country, the difference is usually only a few cents, and the customer will invariably opt for the priority.
First class has always been available up to 13 ounces (after which it became priority), and has always been an option for small lightweight items.
Bear in mind that the new rates have created a 1 pound priority rate that we didn't have before (it was up to 2 pounds for the minimum priority rate)....I'm having trouble remembering that one.
If you don't have a good scale, I highly recommend that you invest in one. Then you can weigh your package, go to the USPS site, and see immediately what options are available, and at what cost. Hopefully, that won't change.
.
