Can someone please help me out here? I have seen sellers say that they us DC on-line. I went to the USPS and found where it says something to the effect of "electronic DC". It says that this is free, and a package can be tracked using it.
I have also bought items from some sellers who say they use this.
How do you do this? I am interested in using it, but I can't seem to find out how even at the USPS website.
posted on May 7, 2001 10:29:50 AM
At the bottom of this post 'tomwii' mentions a service but it costs $9.99/month. Maybe that is what you were thinking of?
posted on May 7, 2001 02:15:39 PM
I have heard of online free DC with USPS. I think you need a certain volume of mailings to qualify. I never check it out so this may be a figment of someone's imagination. But, if you do have a heavy mailing volume, call your postal business office (not the regular post office) and ask them. It can be a significant cost savings if it does exist.
posted on May 7, 2001 06:16:42 PMwww.endicia.com is similiar to Stamps.com but far superior!
I print the DC barcode right on the label & it is automatically entered into the USPS database for tracking -- no more standing in line at the PO for me!
DC for PRIORITY MAIL is FREE!
I'm on the beta so I can also print DC for Other Package Clases = $0.12!!
OUTSTANDING company with really excellent live CS!
Hope they survive because I've come to really depend on them!
And NO I don't have a financial interest in them...although I did beg them to buy me a Happy Meal!
posted on May 7, 2001 06:19:46 PM
I tried Endicia TWICE - and hated it and closed my account immediately. I thought they were much more complicated to use than Stamps.com. Even with free DC, I will not switch over with them. I'll stick with Stamps.com until something better comes along.
Also, the USPS website does say you get free DC if you file "electronically" but they don't say exactly how you can do that. I asked my PO and they had no clue.
posted on May 7, 2001 06:27:52 PM
You say TO-M8-TO and I say TO-MAH-TO I found Stamps to be really STUPID software with NO CS; while ENDICIA I found to be very easy and EXTREMELY VERSATILE with over 25 different labels supported, etc!
However, you can do ELECTRONIC DC on your own! There is around a 10 page bulliten that describes the requirements -- my eyes glazed over!! (lol!)
You have to submit your barcode for approval and it generally looked like a royal PITA! Why bother when endicia.com is soooooeasy?!!
posted on May 7, 2001 06:58:32 PM
the only way that you can get free DC from the post office is if you are capable of uploading your info to them electronically. you can also get a reduced insurance, I believe it's .45 per hundred, not 50.00 like they charge at the counter. also if you go this route you don't have to stand at the counter you can mail at the dock or they will just let you drop it off at a closed window sometimes.
Sound really good doesn't it, here's the catch, the cheapest software that I can find that will let you do this is about 295.00 per month. I did talk with one company and they said they are working on a stripped down version that will cost 75-99 dollars a month. Your dealing with the big boy here, some of the companies that use the software are quite large so a few hundred really isn't much to them and the guys selling it would rather service a few at a high rate that a bunch at a low rate. seeing that there are rate changes with the post office and changes have to be made to the software when they do, I don't know that you will find cheap software that wont be like a lease. Also you have pay for a permit with the post office they cost 150.00 a year, if you want to do it for first class and priority it is 150.00 per permit.
anyway, there are advantages but until it will pay for itself, or at least break even it's stamps for us.........
posted on May 10, 2001 01:34:30 PM
Someone pointed me to this thread. I'm the President of Endicia.com, a PC Postage software vendor.
Perhaps I can clarify some things about Delivery Confirmation -- even many of the USPS staff are not yet aware of the most current protocols.
Let's focus on *Prioity Mail* Delivery Confirmation. There are two varieties --"Electronic" which is free and the "Walk up to the the USPS counter" and that's 40 cents.
Historically, there was only one way to use "electronic" DC. Another message in this thread described that process well -- a large Prioity Mailer could get a permit from the USPS and print his/her own DC barcodes on the mailing labels. Every evening they have to provide an "electronic manifest file" to the USPS in a special format. Folks who want to use this manifest approach must be certified and tested by the USPS prior to implementing this system.
As of about 4 months ago, another electronic DC option was made available. This is a http-based transaction on a package-by-package basis. It does NOT require that the user have a permit with the USPS.
We have embedded this functionality in our PC Postage software and I'm sure other vendors will have it soon. Basically, as you are printing your postage label, we communicate in the background to the USPS the relevant shipping data. The USPS immediately returns the PIC code which is printed on your label. Essentially, the second you print the label, your package is in the USPS tracking system.
Some of our users report that USPS counter personnel are still wanting to charge them 40 cents. But you can go to the USPS Web site which explains that electronic DC is free, and that pretty much ends the issue. Also, the USPS is making an effort to better inform counter staff through a series of announcements in the Postal Bulletin.
posted on May 10, 2001 10:14:10 PM
Mr. Whitehouse,
You need to have someone check your "demo" on your website. The demo briefly describes how to enter your address and check it. Then it moves on to font changes and finally graphic placement. The demo places a company logo in the upper left corner of the envelope and then a sale graphic in lower left corner.
Whomever designed this demo makes your company look a bit dumb. The second graphic placed on the envelope is for a "CLEARENCE" Sale. Someone in your company needs to learn how to spell clearance. How many people in your company reviewed this before it became public? Not too good.
posted on May 11, 2001 06:11:50 AM
"After the free trial, Endicia Internet Postage is only $9.95 a month no matter how much postage you purchase."
**********
If you were a regular shipper, this might be a good deal. Especially if the DC is ABSOLUTELY free with purchase of postage, or significantly cheaper with purchase of media mail.
*********
Harry -
And are you aware of the potential for scamming? Seller prints out the postage with DC, doesn't ship a thing, and claims it got lost in the mail.
How will the USPS make sure the items actually hit the system, and not just exist in the database?
posted on May 11, 2001 09:50:03 AM
I have made the switch to Endica from Stamps.Com a few weeks ago. Very happy with it. I did have a hard time configuring the labels, but after a good afternoon of practice I have everything working perfectly. The free DC is worth it to me, and I just drop my packages at the side counter with a wave to the clerk. No waiting in line for that DC scan! (Harry I'm the one in Renton who had the trouble with Clerks at desk, went a few days ago, and it seems to be not a problem now, they just ask me if it's ready to go-going over there again in a few min-will let you know if any problems arise). Also I hear that Media and International will be supported soon with Endicia. It's a good deal-and NO I don't work for them, just feel a good plug is deserved.
posted on May 11, 2001 10:04:11 AM
I decided to give Endicia a try last night. I downloaded the software but, for some reason, the activation number was never emailed. I contacted them today and spoke to technical support. I absolutely must say that this was the BEST technical support experience I have ever had. I could not have asked for anything better. I was given the activation number and I'm up and running. The flexibility of the software is A+ in my book and the tech person even gave me some hints regarding things I want to do with the software. Endicia, if you keep this up you will have me as a customer for a long time.
The delivery confirmation aspect is definitely a plus as well! I did run into one snag though and this would probably never bother most anyone and it has nothing to do with endicia. I use a bar code scanner to scan in my Delivery Confirmation packages to my auction mangement software. I have never had a problem whatsoever with the delivery confirmation stickers. The e/Delivery Confirmation barcode appears to be different now. The scanner does not recognize the format this barcode is in. Looks like I will have to enter the numbers manually. By the way, the endicia software stores the DC information and you can go back through their software to check the status of an item.
posted on May 11, 2001 10:35:57 AM
I've been a Stamps.com customer for quite a while now and their customer service USED to be the BEST. Then they grew and now they basically have NO customer service.
I tried endicia - TWICE, actually, and the label configuration thing was just a little too complicated for me so I closed my accounts. I would love to be able to use them because of the free DC if for nothing else - but I like the EASE of changing to different labels if I have to through Stamps.com.
If Endicia could come up with an easy way for me to print postage on my 2" x 4" labels I will switch over!
posted on May 11, 2001 02:39:08 PM
Commentary asked...
"Can you please clarify if this electronic DC is available only for priority mail items or other forms of mail."
Right now, the USPS "Webtools" interface only supports Priority Mail electronic delivery confirmation. Within a month or so, they are scheduled to go live with a Priority Mail Signature Confirmation service (this service won't be free -- it will be $1.25 per package). And, starting June 1 we will be testing the first single-ply Express Mail (no more multi-part Express Mail form!!) which has it's own track/trace barcode. Express Mail service always comes with "signature confirmation" as part of the basic cost -- IOW, there is no extra fee.
Also asked...
"Also, are you allow to use a combination of stamps and label to pay the postage and still get the free DC.
For example, can I post $3 in stamps and 95 cents with the label to pay the $3.95 rate."
You can mix and match postage "types" any time, as long as you have the correct rate in the end. But unless you are using some type of package which does the electronic transfer of data to the USPS (i.e. the "electronic option", you are not eligable for the free delivery confirmation.
So let's say that you use our software (or one of our competitors) which supports electronic delivery confirmation. You create a label with the DC barcode and it's posted for $3.95. But then you realize that you under estimated the package weight. It was 3 lbs ($5.15) instead of 2 lbs ($3.95). You could add another $1.20 in stamps to the package and you would be fine. The DC would still be free (because you obtained it electonically).
The big issue for you here, is that you need a means to get the electronic delivery confirmation using a software package that supports this.
posted on May 11, 2001 03:36:17 PM
Abaxcai asked...
"Harry -
And are you aware of the potential for scamming? Seller prints out the postage with DC, doesn't ship a thing, and claims it got lost in the mail.
How will the USPS make sure the items actually hit the system, and not just exist in the database?"
Very good question. Let's say someone prints a Priority label at 2 PM. Our software communicates to the USPS Webtools server at the instant of printing, sending the complete destination address,the sender's address, the package weight, and a few other parameters. We obtain an immediate response which is the tracking code number we use to print the DC barcode.
Currently, at around 10PM, the USPS Webtools system consolidates all of the transactions received over the day and does a batch post to the master USPS tracking database located in San Mateo, CA. This is the tracking database you access if you click on a package for statusing in our software, or go to the USPS tracking web site and type in the tracking number.
If you query the master tracking system at 3PM, it will say something like "there is no record of this item currently on file. Check later." If you query the master tracking system at 10:01 PM, it will say something like "Package accepted at XXXX, YY {your local city and state) at 10:00 PM on {today's date)". But as you correctly infer, this is only an ASSUMPTION on the part of the USPS --not the result of a scan.
Generally, Priority Mail won't actually be scanned until it reaches the destination post office or it is actually delivered. However we sometimes see intermediate scans taken at major mail processing facilities which are "in route" to the destination.
So, given all that is above, it is very possible for someone to create an electronic delivery confirmation label and then never physically transfer the package to the USPS.
The USPS will refund the service fee for a delivery confirmation package which was NEVER scanned. But since electronic delivery confirmation is free, there is nothing to refund!
Now, here's an interesting experiment I did a few weeks ago. We ship much of our high-end presorting software (for large mailers) using Priority Mail, and we know our local carrier well. (I'm always bugging him to scan some of our barcodes as we program new features!) He comes with a small truck and picks up our mail as he drops off the incoming. I asked him to scan one of our OUTBOUND PM/DC packages when he was picking it up. Then I checked later that evening to find that his scan was indeed recorded, showing a 1:32 PM pickup time that day -- the very minute that I saw him scan it. And the wording clearly showed that it was truly scanned and not simply "assumed". (Note that I could not access this message until the evening because the carrier's scanner gun simply collect data in it's memory card over the day -- the data does not actually transfer to the master tracking system until the carrier returns to the PO at the end of his/her shift and puts the scanner in a special cradle.)
I checked with USPS HQ to see if this could be something that a mailer could request. Their current "offical" answer was "No". But I formally asked them to revisit this.
My argument is that having the local carrier (or counter clerk) simply scan an already-created electronic delivery confirmation label is very inexpensive for the USPS compared to selling and applying their own DC label, and that the customer service aspect would be a big plus. They told me they were going to review this at the VP level.
So for now, officially, you are not *supposed* to ask your carrier or PO counter person to scan your free DC barcode when you physically transfer this package to a USPS. But if you *could* get them to run their scan gun over the barcode, you would have rock-solid evidence that you transfered the package to a USPS representative by virtue of that scan.
posted on May 12, 2001 10:56:33 PM
ExecutiveGirl...
I use 4 x 3 1/3 labels that I had been using with ClickStamp to generate my postage with endicia and am doing very well with the whole Delivery Confirmation printing. 2 x 4 would be too small for my needs because I needs to get the postage indicia, destination address as well as the return address so I don't need to use any other labels. I find the above size works out great for me. If you don't use the return address on the 2x4 label with the postage you could probably manage to get everything you need on it.
posted on May 12, 2001 11:34:57 PM
In very slow periods I ship about 60 packages a week. In busy times, such as holidays, I ship as much as 400 per week.
posted on May 13, 2001 06:30:23 AM
Harry -
How does your program handle MEDIA MAIL? I sell books more than anything else.
I realized on my scamm scenario that a seller could only get away with it a few times before those nice USPIS persons would come calling to find out where the packages were going.
As for the scanning barcodes ... they have to look at the incoming packages to decide which bin to throw them at, so zapping with a barcode would only take a couple of extra seconds.
posted on May 14, 2001 11:30:26 AM
Abacaxi asked...
"How does your program handle MEDIA MAIL? I sell books more than anything else".
We added media rates, international rates (with an integral rate computer which shows all service classes, rates, customs requirements, etc., available to every country), certified mail fees, insurance, and some other features. This new program version is available upon request and should by approved by USPS for general release in the next day or so.
posted on May 14, 2001 09:44:42 PM
Wow, even International. Now I'm completely satisfied.
airguy/commentary: There is no manual uploading. When it generates the DC number it automatically files the information. The usage is no different than stamps.com or Clickstamp. All of the filings go on behind the scenes.
[ edited by avaloncourt on May 14, 2001 09:48 PM ]
, you are not eligable for the free delivery confirmation.