posted on January 22, 2002 02:02:51 AM
Hello people =) I was wondering if any of you know about any good services for shipping. I’m getting tired of filling out shipping forms at mailboxes etc. I was looking for some software where I can input address, info and slap the shipping label on the box. Then drop it off at a local FedEx drop off. Is there any such software or service?
posted on January 22, 2002 05:47:41 AM
Well, if you are already using FedEx for your shipping, you should take a look at their web site.
Here's an interesting tidbit that I just found:
Smart tags from FedEx
Easy Access to FedEx Shipping Tools From Within Microsoft Office XP - By using the FedEx smart tags, you can directly link to FedEx online shipping tools to quickly create a FedEx shipping label, obtain critical shipment delivery status information, get a rate quote or a Signature Proof of Delivery, find the nearest FedEx location, or check an address - all from within a Microsoft Office XP document, making you more efficient.
If your boxes are small enough to fit in a USPS collection box you can drop them there. Or, if your USPS carrier has a truck when he/she drops off your mail, they can take the packages for you.
Note that we will be releasing a version in the next week which also allows you to insure your packages through U-PIC. So you can print shipping labels with complete postage, free delivery confirmation and have them insured without leaving your place of business.
posted on January 30, 2002 05:49:07 PM new
I consider shipping part of my job as an ebay seller, and spend a good deal of effort in making sure the process is efficient and hassle-free.
There are any number of label programs available for a computer, and auction services that include label printing capabilities as part of their package.
I would agree you should free yourself from the expense and time wasted at Mailboxes etc. and learn to pack well yourself. With the free Priority Mail supplies from the Postal Service I would say more than half the ebay sellers use USPS almost exclusively.
Of course if your items are more than a few pounds, then it is time to look into UPS or Fedex Ground (caveat emptor) and if your volume is over $50 a week,to consider daily pickup service.
UPS has a set of packing standards that you should familiarize yourelf with since following them pretty much eliminates casual damage claims and gets most items delivered in one piece.
If you have been sending pretty much the same things and have observed how mailboxes etc does the packing, and approve of it, then you just need to duplicate the process, improving on it as you go. The question then becomes buying the packing materials at the best price, or dumpster diving if you are very frugal and don't care what the recipients think of you. It also depends on what you are shipping. Rummage sale clothes are one thing; home theater equipment quite another.
