posted on February 24, 2001 02:36:28 AM
Ok, you have to hear this.
Since the new shipping rates went into effect I have been sending everything Parcel Post. When I ship out, if the difference between Parcel Post and Priority is only like a nickel, I usually go with Prioirty. WELL, I WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN !!!
Last year I sent everything Priority and I would have some damage claims (some, not an extreme amount) and all were on Priority packages !
This year I have had no claims to file since I am using Parcel Post, but I sent one item Priority and guess what ????? YEP, it was damaged !!!!
I could not believe this !!!
USPS is charging more for Priority mail, but your chances of the item being damaged are EXTREMELY much higher with Priority.
Sure, the Priority packages tend to get there faster, but at what price ????
I can ship a package parcel post and my customer waits about 5 days to get it and they recieve it undamaged OR I can ship a package Priority and my customer gets it in 3 days DAMAGED !
I wonder if Priority mail means that the USPS employees throw the items harder and farther so that they get their faster.
posted on February 24, 2001 04:01:32 AM
Hi, cix - My husband and I were just discussing this! We bought a LOT on eBay during the last year, and the ONLY items that were damaged, and the ONLY boxes that were damaged were Priority.
Just this week, one of my buyers received her Priority package on the 21st, and I had mailed it on the 12th. They say average delivery 2-3 days, so some of them must be traveling at the speed of light, right?
posted on February 24, 2001 04:18:33 AM
kudzurose,
EXACTLY !!!!!
And some of those items traveling at the speed of light are also slamming into the walls at that speed !!!
I think that in the desperation of trying to get a Priority package to its destination within 2-3 days is starting to take its toll on the actual packages.
I have heard of how the USPS employees will let a Parcel post package sit there if there is no room for it in the truck, since it is not priortiy not too much effort is put into trying to get it delivered faster. Pure logic alone tells you that this package is less likely to be shoved in with a bunch of other items that HAVE to be delivered therefore decreasing the risk of damaged created by to many boxes piled on top of it.
I find my customers are much happier recieving their items in the condition they expected it in whether it takes a little longer to arrive. I mean, after all, they bought the item because they wanted it, NOT to just have their money returned because the item was broken.
I shipped out some items today and while I was there I asked the clerk to please explain to me why my Priority packages get damaged more often then my Parcel post packages (which have never arrived damaged).
He told me that with Parcel post, no one outside of USPS touches it, which means during the entire time the USPS has custody of a Parcel Post package ONLY they handle it.
BUT Priority packages are handled by both USPS AND American Airlines !!!!
I know most of you have watched the clips on the news about how well the people who work for the airlines handle these packages (using them as footballs and such).
So now I know for sure I will never, ever, ever ship Priority mail AGAIN !
What a joke huh ? You pay more for people outside of USPS to handle your packages who don't give a rat a$$ if it breaks ! Probably a bunch of teenagers the airlines hire to do these jobs !
USPS should really let their customers know that people outside of USPS are handling their packages if they ship Priority.
posted on February 24, 2001 11:46:52 AM
The priority mail boxes are junk. I took a small box and easily ripped it in two. I ship everything parcel post, and purchase boxes, peanuts, etc. I had a few cases of the priority boxes so I took them to a recycle center. If the customers wont pay for priority like mine, then parcel is the way to go.
