bevhead
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:31:28 PM
I am thinking of signing up for endicia postage. I hate going to the post office, it's no fun lugging 15 boxes and a 3 year old twice a week.
Well, my question is can my mail carrier pick up my boxes from my house at no charge, or do I have to call and have them picked up for a charge? I know I can drop them at the counter in the PO, but that defeats the purpose, my goal is not to go to the PO.
Does anyone have a mail carrier who picks up packages from their home? Thanks for your help, any other suggestions would be appreciated.
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quickdraw29
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:36:39 PM
They will charge you. I couldn't find the info on their website though, but here's the number for pick-up service: 1800-222-1811.
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mtnmama
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:45:13 PM
Mine would if they'd fit in the box, but she's a rural carrier. Ask your carrier. You may have to pay if it's priority mail pick up.
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bevhead
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:53:14 PM
So, for those of you out there who use internet postage of some type (stamps.com, etc...), what do you do with your packages? Drop them off at the PO? Schedule pickups? Thank you!
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vargas
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:11:27 PM
I drop them in the slot inside the PO afterhours.
If they're too big to fit in the slot, DH takes them & stands in line for me.
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noshill
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:33:46 PM
I use Simply Postage. I leave a note in my mail box that I have packages at the door and the postman comes and rings the bell to pick them up. If they are bulky or heavy I help carry them to his vehicle. I am in Phoenix, so, it shouldn't be much different anywhere else.
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gk4495
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:54:02 PM
My carriers picks my packages up all the time. (When she decides to run her route - that is a whole other issue.) I've never had any problem or been charged. I have a very large rural box and most everything fits. She just picks them up and away they go.
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jlb444
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:04:47 PM
Bevhead... your post make me laugh so hard! I too dragged a three year old and a four year old to the post office every day for ebay. What a treat eh???? My 3 year old would try to fold himself in the lockers there. Actually he fit. Was so afraid he'd grow an inch and get stuck. But while I was busy at the window they wouldn't listen and would be taking paper out of the copier, spilling peanuts out of the free peanut bin, running in the other room and trying to stuff themselves in the lockers not to mention the humiliation I got from not trying to lose it with them in front of everybody! I now use Stamps.com and they come right to my door. The postman picks it up. All I do is take tape and put a note on my post box at the end of the drive that I have boxes today so he can't miss it and he knocks when he gets there. It helps to know what time your guy gets there so you are ready and don't incovience him. One day he saw me a wreck because I had one to go and couldn't finish and he actually stopped back two hours later and picked it up! I am also considering using that new
service www.endicia.com to get free Delivery Confirmations and $5 cheaper a month.
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photogeyk
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:00:15 PM
WITH THE NEW RATE HIKES YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDDER UPS, THEY WILL PICK UP AT YOUR HOME AS LONG AS YOU HAVE 5-10 PACKAGES
every 20 seconds in america a woman is giving birth:SHE MUST BE FOUND AND STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................................................................
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ziggydog
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:29:45 PM
Hi,
I have a daily pickup with UPS.
There is no minimum number of packages required. Some days I'll have 1, or 3, or 6. It doesn't matter.
They charge you by the amount you spend with UPS not the number of packages.
Anything over $50 a week, then I pay $7 a week for the pickup.
It's great, I've been using it for almost a year. Their prices are VERY comparable when you factor in the tracking number and the included insurance.
One lost package out of over 500 and it was handled very quickly. I refunded the bidder and recieved a check from UPS
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glassperson
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:30:48 PM
My solution: I found that the smallest PO on my island is the least congested. Once a day, half mile away, or twice a week. No sweat, no strain, no extra fee!
Just once I had to make that trip twice in one day! Ah! To be a part-timer!
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Dakota1
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:40:54 PM
I mail just 2-3 packages (PM) a day and my carrier says since my house is almost last on his route that he would take them, no problem.
Dakota1 (nowhere but here) 
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fraidykat
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posted on June 22, 2001 06:20:07 PM
My carrier and the subs that I know (except for one lazy one)will take them...most others won't. They say it is a regulation if it is over a pound - since Kryziski (I'd edit for spelling...but I don't remember how to spell it!!)and that you can't put them in a drop box either. Had a flat rate envelope (documents) returned to work because boss put it in a drop box at night! Said it needed to be personally handed in -
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Malady
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:14:11 PM
Hello,
I pick up for one of my customers every Thursday. It's nice to have it scheduled like this. He has everything ready and helps me load the parcels into the back. Since he is at the end of my route I have the room in the back of my LLV. He uses confirmation, COD, and priority, at least 30 parcels each time. My T6, relief carrier, isn't always happy to do it but it is my route and he knows that this what my customers expect from me so he is expected to do it too.
On occasion I have picked up for other customers. They do as some have suggested and leave me a note in their mailbox.
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sadie999
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:35:42 PM
You guys have carriers?????????
I almost forgot about life in the big city.
Small town - no one gets mail delivery. We all go to the PO to pick up our mail. It's the social event of the day. 
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MouseSlayer
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posted on June 23, 2001 04:32:44 AM
If you're using stamps.com or endicia.com your packages are considered metered and it doesn't matter how much they weigh, you can drop them in the box. My postal workers told me it's because you are a 'known' mailer (meaning they can trace who you are by your meter license). You can't do it if it's just stamps though, because then it's anonymous. Oh, and my carrier picks mine up too, but I usually don't have more than 3-4 a day.
~^~  Hippy wannabe  ~^~
[ edited by MouseSlayer on Jun 23, 2001 04:33 AM ]
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gravid
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posted on June 23, 2001 06:52:38 AM
I don't know if sehe HAS to but my carrier will take my packages if I can't get out and I have given her 4 large garbage bags full of small boxes. That's about 60 boxes - on one day.
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susan1232
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posted on June 23, 2001 07:07:54 AM
Jeez, am I the only one that has a postman on foot? No way can he pick up my packages!
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wlaw
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posted on June 23, 2001 07:35:01 AM
jlb444 - Been there and done that!!! You should try an 11-month-old, a 2 1/2-year-old, AND a five-year-old...with 14 packages...in 110-degree-weather...and there's 12 people in line...
Ah the joys of this "job"!!!
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jlb444
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posted on June 23, 2001 09:10:53 AM
Wlaw mine weren't always this age. I actually have 5 kids, and these two started with me and ebay 3 years ago August. Had the double stroller through the doors, packed on top the cover over the seats with boxes, under in the packages bin of the stroller, on their laps and pushing and holding packages in my arms when they were infants. Always a dozen plus in line at my post office also. It is worth every penny to do it from home! This is why the changes at Ebay are so hard for me...I decided to quit working and do Ebay full time to stay home with everyone now we are drowning! Can't wait for late September to get here!
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Brooklynguy-07
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posted on June 23, 2001 05:46:35 PM
Free peanut bin??
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geppeta
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posted on June 23, 2001 06:14:26 PM
Hi all,
To those of you who give them to the mail carrier, how do you handle insurance? I was told if I am insuring the item, the green slip (under $50) MUST be taken to the PO and signed off by one of the kind folks behind the counter. Otherwise, I was told IF a claim is necessary and this step has been skipped, my refund will be denied!
My mail carrier takes packages for me (He's a very nice man!), but I only send him with media mail and those items that are UNINSURED at the buyer's discretion and responsibility to save 1.10.
Anyway, feedback on this is going to be well appreciated!
I did change to UPS and am thrilled. AGree with above about pick up charges at $7.00 if you ship more than $50 in a week (easy!). It's the best move I've ever made, but occasionally USPS is requested and/or I just need to deal with them for some particular reasons.
Thanks!
Angie
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MouseSlayer
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posted on June 23, 2001 06:47:05 PM
I still have to take my insured packages to the post office to have them stamp the slip and/or enter it into the computer (depending on the p.o.) I almost cringe when I get a buyer requesting insurance. 
~^~ Hippy wannabe ~^~
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wbbell
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posted on June 23, 2001 09:10:18 PM
Gepetta, you are correct, you must hand the package to a window person and get it stamped/signed. Otherwise there is no proof of shipment.
I have heard, though not tested, that anyone (e.g., the folks who work the "dutch door" during the off hours) can sign/date the insurance slips, so that may be an alternative to waiting in line at the window.
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