posted on March 18, 2002 03:57:40 PM
So I downloaded shipping assistant and printed and mailed some media mail. The post office is so used to me using that for Priority mail he immediately scanned it for that until I pointed out the difference.
Is that the advantage? You can print all your delivery confirmation mail from there? Is there anything I'm missing? Why are they asking for weight? Where's the 12cent media mail? I've read and read on the USPS web site but I don't understand the legalese or whatever.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
LB
posted on March 18, 2002 04:20:27 PMThe post office is so used to me using that for Priority mail he immediately scanned it for that until I pointed out the difference.
These labels shouldn't be scanned at all regardless of whether it's for Priority or Media. The first scan, so to speak, is when you print the label. This is when it enters the system electronically. eDC was designed to only be scanned upon delivery but occasionally you will see a scan as the item passes through a large sorting center.
The post office should not be charging you anything for Priority eDC. Media Mail eDC is $.12. Read the bottom portion of the label under Instructions. #4 is where it states there is no charge for Priority. I don't have a Media receipt handy but I suspect that is where you should look for eDC Media rate info.
posted on March 18, 2002 04:28:53 PM
You can print eDC for Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Post, Library Mail and Bound Printed Material.
I just pulled up a test label for Media and #4 is where it states Parcel, Library, Media, Bounded eDC service fee required. It does not specifically state right there that it is $.12.
[ edited by BananaSpider on Mar 18, 2002 04:33 PM ]
posted on March 18, 2002 04:59:07 PM>>he immediately scanned it...<<
yeah well he said he KNEW he wasn't supposed to scan it either, and had to refund me. But I've taken the last three months off Ebay and he hasn't seen me in a while
Yep, you're right, I owe him 12 cents. I didn't see it and he didn't either. I KNEW there was a 12 cent thing in there somewhere.
well, 12 cents isn't too bad for that nifty little label. I took the prior posts hints and highlighted it with a green highlighter on the address portion. Hopefully it will get scanned along the way.
posted on March 18, 2002 05:29:32 PM
I've been using the free DC and labels since they came out.
I've had a couple problems at the postoffice with them.
Once, a clerk that didn't know me, scanned them all and charged me .40 cents for each one, I had 25 then. I told her, and told her it was free and they've already been entered electronically, and she said, no. NO way.
Of course I asked for the supervisor and he went to the USPS website, I stood there for 20 minutes while they tried to find it and couldn't. So I got charged. Went home, printed where it said FREE, and the URL for them and gave it to them. Then they had to find my packages and go through each one and void and refund, and they were not happy
Then just the other day, a new clerk, she scanned it, I said, you don't need to scan it, she said, of course I do... I tried explaining... but nope she knew best,so that one went... I blew it off, as it was only the one.
Doesn't it make them invalid once they scan them again at the PO?
posted on March 18, 2002 05:58:43 PM
Okay, I found it. I knew I had seen it somewhere. It is in the little boxed area on the right side of the bottom half of your receipt when using Shipping Assistant.
It states for Priority, "Electronic Option Delivery Confirmation Service Fee: NONE" and for Media it states, "Electronic Option Delivery Confirmation Service Fee: $.12".
I just stuffed a copy in the bottom of my shipping box. I suggest you carry it with you also to avoid mass confusion.
I don't think a PO scan can void it. It is still an acceptance scan and not a delivery scan but that is the scan that generates a charge.
posted on March 20, 2002 06:35:20 AM
Also, What is the exact purpose of the address service?
I use this to get the zip + 4 code.
I have trouble at almost every post office with these labels. They all want to charge.
Our main headquarter post office didn't even have a clue. Just couldn't understand why they would offer something free to one person and then charge the next guy.
I have held up christmas shipping lines over these, after I had previously taken all of the information to them with all of the no extra charge highlighted on them.
One time the clerk took a big magic marker and scribbled all over the barcode to mark it out. It wouldn't scan for him and he had never seen one, so I couldn't use it.
The address service also verifies the address in the po database and formats it correctly.
I don't personally use the email service anymore because I sometimes print the label several days before the item is actually shipped. Since the email is sent immediately it has caused buyer confusion. I just use my auction management software to email when the item has been shipped instead.
posted on March 20, 2002 09:20:20 AM
I sent a question to the USPS "contact us" requesting information that we could all use.
Specifically what publication should we tell the postal clerks to refer to when they insist on scanning the free eDC. Here's what they said:
Dear USPS Customer,
Thank you for contacting us. Since the online labels are a new feature, some
USPS employees may not yet be familiar with the product. If this happens,
please accept our apology, and point out the "e" endorsement on your label
next to the Delivery Confirmation text. This "e" indicates that this item
qualifies for our Electronic Option Delivery Confirmation. The retail
associate should refer to our July 26th Postal Bulletin (page 17) for
further information. Please note that regular Priority Mail rates still
apply.
For those who don't want to look online for this publication, here's the information:
Coming Soon - Online Shipping e-Label at www.usps.com
The Postal Service has now made it easier for small-volume Priority Mail service shippers to use electronic option Delivery Confirmation service. This value-added feature will soon be available via the new USPS Shipping Web site at www.usps.com, and will provide mailers with easy-to-access information to meet their shipping needs.
This site will allow shippers to print from their computers an Online Shipping e-Label that has sender information, recipient
information, and a Delivery Confirmation barcode. Acceptance information is electronically sent to the Product Tracking System to meet electronic option requirements. Initially, the Online Shipping e-Label will be limited to Priority Mail service with electronic option Delivery Confirmation service. A future version will include Signature Confirmation service.
The Online Shipping e-Labels use the new Postal Service standard format with an "e" insignia before the USPS Delivery Confirmation text above the barcode. Customers apply the e-label to their Priority Mail package and can then
use adhesive or meter stamps to pay for their mailing. If customers bring packages to the retail counter, the process
for weighing and rating those pieces is the same as with other e-label Delivery Confirmation service pieces as discussed
in the Retail Coaches’ Corner, Postal Bulletin 22052 (6-14-01, page 83). Retail employees do not scan the Delivery Confirmation service e-label/barcode; instead
they merely weigh and rate the packages for postage only. Customers are not charged the retail Delivery Confirmation service fee when they use this new electronic label. Additionally, customers who require proof of mailing can bring the Online e-Label Record to the retail counter for a round date, like any other special service receipt.
Samples of the Online Shipping e-Label and the Online
e-Label Record are on page 18.
Information Systems,
Expedited/Package Services, 7-26-01
