posted on February 12, 2001 12:02:52 PM
I just wanted to see how many of you use "Certificate Of Mailing." It's a cheap way to prove you sent an item. Now, in this time of credit card chargebacks, etc. Its the best way to show that you did ship the item to the buyer. In fact, eBay, PayPal and BillPoint all accept it as proof the item was shipped.
In some cases if I have a large stock of an item I will reship the item. But if I don't and it was one of a kind, there is little I can do. Many buyers at least felt better knowing I had proof I shipped there item. On the other hand, anothing thing this has controlled is false non-recieved responces.
Since I started using COM, I had about 3 bidders claim to not recieve their item and said they would file fraud charges with eBay and PayPal (all three items happened to be items that sold for large amounts of money compared to what I would think they were worth). Anyway, I just sent them a friendly message back "I'm sorry you did not recieve your item. I used a certificate of mailing which is proof I sent your item. If you would like me to send you a copy, I will so that you can see that I did send your item. In all three cases I never heard from the bidders again. Maybe they just got the item and dropped it. Or maybe they were trying to pretend they did not recieve their item so I would refund them.
In any case, since I had the proof I never heard from any of them. So, I would suggest all sellers using this. As the post office for a "Firm Mailing Book or Accountable Mail" which can help you keep track of COM's. My old post office charged me $0.75. The new one only charged $0.25 until the rate increase and now they too charge $0.75 each. Its a lot to pay for security, but its worth it in the long run.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:07:12 PM
We use Delivery Confirmation on small orders, and Registered Mail - Signature Required - Return Receipt Required for first time credit card orders from new customers. In the event of a dispute, you need a signature.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:39:33 PM
Hmmm. I used to use Delivery Confirmation, but it became annoying for me (more little pieces of paper to keep track of! LOL). Now, I figure my post office receipt would work well enough. The receipt prints the Zip Code, weight of item, amount paid, and whether or not insurance was purchased for that item.
I figure they'd be pretty hard pressed to insist that I mailed another package, or similar weight, to their zip code that particular week.
So, I haven't spent any extra on any "confirmation" since our PO went to their computer systems.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:44:24 PM
Is there much difference and if so - what? between "Certificate of Mailing" and "Delivery Confirmation"...I know that each do something different, yet similar...which is best? FYI - I use Delivery Confirmation...
posted on February 12, 2001 01:09:53 PM
Actually, the only thing Delivery Confirmation proves it that it was delivered to the Post Office where it was sent. If you do not get the addressee to sign for the item, they can say that they did not receive it. We returned an item that was a repro, used delivery confirmation, but did not request a signature. The seller said he did not receive it although when we tracked it, it showed that it was delivered to the correct post office at the correct zip code within three days after it was sent. The package was returned to us after eleven days, with a notation on it that they had notified the addressee three times (and they included the dates of the notices), and the notices were ignored. We pulled his contact info, called him and he insisted that he never received the notices. So off it went again......by now we are out $30.00 in shipping costs......with delivery confirmation and a signature request. You guessed it......it arrived without a hitch......lesson learned.
posted on February 13, 2001 04:14:08 AM
Here's what I do.
On priorty items, I use Delivery Confirmation and even pay for it especially when the bid is high.
On first class items, I only insure item that I beleive are going to problematic buyers, (late payers).
Recently, I received an email from a buyer who was irate in that her item never arrived yet. "If you did in fact send the item as you SAID you did".
I always keep the postal reciept for my records. The zip code was Cleveland, OH 44109. I scanned the receipt and emailed a large blown up copy to her. In my email, I politely asked her to examine the scan of the receipt and find item number 7. You will see your zip code 44109. I hope this will put your mind at ease in this matter.
posted on February 13, 2001 06:10:51 PM
What some of the sellers said here is right. Something I forgot to mention is that you should always use delivery confirmation for items costing above a certain ammount. I send stickers, posters, CD's, etc first class, in that case, a Certificate Of Mailing is best. It shows the complete address. The postmaster (person who works at the post office) checks the package and signs and dates your record book. Then, you have proof you sent the item to the persons address on the day you sent it. I always make them sign for something though above $50. Somtimes I even take the loss and make people I don't trust sign for something just so I can make sure they get it. Just be careful either way.
posted on February 13, 2001 08:55:29 PM
Delivery conformation works fine for me. I keep the #'s in .doc file, and have "track confirm" page bookmarked in my browser. Since I don't sell a massive amount ( 5 -30 ) evry other week or so, this isn't a time consuming task. I copy & paste the #'s at the site, and follow delivery progress. I also make this info. available to the reciepient {sp?} Anyway, if a flag goes up, indicating an attempt was made to deliver but no response, I shoot off an email to the winning bidder telling them to go get their package, before it comes back to me.
posted on February 13, 2001 10:28:41 PM
Delivery Confirmation (non-signature) can be basically worthless. I just found this out myself. I bought an expensive item, the seller sent me the DC tracking number. I checked it to see when the item would arrive. After about 3 days... I checked on USPS website and put in the tracking number, they said it was still in NY where I bought it from this was at 1pm. I went to my PO office that same day at about 2pm (were my PO Box is) and looked in my box for a delivery card hoping that the item was there but not checked in. No card, so I went to the counter as they were not busy and asked if they had a package for me. The clerk checked and handed me a package, which turned out not to be mine and I returned it to the clerk (this happens all the time, them handing me packages that are not mine). I went home and that night. I did the USPS tracking again online. It told me that item item was delivered that same day at 8:00 am to my PO Office. I freaked and thought the worse after the website had said it was delivered at 8:00am that morning and remembering that the clerk gave me a wrong package. I though my goodness, the item came in and they handed it to someone else and that is why it was not there when I walked in at 2pm (6 hours later than when they said it had been delivered on the USPS website).
This was on Friday... I called the PO Saturday morning to see if the item was sitting there. They told me I had package from NY. I had to wait until Monday to pick it up. They explained to me that packages that are delivery confirm are checked in when they reach the PO if the addresse has a PO Box. Which I don't think is right as most people do not visit the PO everyday to pick up mail.
Plus you have to consider the error ratio, if they hand your confirmed package to someone that it does not belong to. I am 100% positive that it can happen and does happen.
I really think all it is good for is proof that a seller mailed the package. But then again they do not always scan the packages when they are drop off to be sent on to the customer.
I think a combo of an insurance receipt and a delivery confirm is all you need. If the item is insured this should be enough proof that the item was mailed, as my PO stamps the insurance receipt and hands it back to me.
[ edited by brigette on Feb 13, 2001 10:30 PM ]
posted on February 14, 2001 04:34:22 PM
When a package is sent Priority Mail, Insured, why would it be necessary to use a "Delivery Confirmation" or a
"Certificate of Mailing"? If the customer
doesn't receive the package they just apply
for the insurance. Wouldn't that be the case
or did I miss something important?
