quickdraw29
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posted on July 1, 2002 07:47:14 PM new
Getting ready to package and noticed the new rates. Priority 2.5 pnds to zone 8 (?) = $8.55. Priority 2.0 pnds = $5.75. Wow, that is awful! I am returning all my Priority Mail boxes tomorrow. Even Parcel post is bad, higher than Fedex!For comparison, I got this from the Fedex site:2 pounds Ground = $4.65;2.5 pnds Ground = $5.19.That is the rate I will be charged shipping to a residence in zone (8), or farthest zone.Yes, I provide my own box for Fedex. Yes, Fedex makes up for it with free isurance and free tracking. Fuel surcharge of 4¢ already included.Priority Sucks!
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Jul 1, 2002 09:10 PM ]
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 1, 2002 07:49:23 PM new
Put all those UNEQUAL EMPLOYEED Workers at USPS out of work, use the cheaper FEDEX to ship. Buy from sellers who only use Fedex (Not Unequal Employeed UPS either).
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nycyn
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posted on July 1, 2002 07:59:19 PM new
Not me. Not to mention my local PO has been doing slimey stuff when I send my unwitting babysitter. I'll write "Media Mail" on a package and they'll send it PP or Priority. I sent an envelope which should have cost in the .80-.90 cent range, with a note clearly stating First Class and they charged her Priority. I'm beginning to think the clerks get bonusses--their names are on the receipts. I wrote the USPS "contact us" website to no response. I've yet to get over to see the PO supervisor. Problem here, in the land of doing-everything-on-foot, is that both UPS and FedEx are not nearby and I don't do the volume for p/u. There's guy on the corner who'll accept the stuff, but he tacks on whatever he can get away with, to a sickenly greedy degree.
All in all I don't think is going to bode well for eBay or the USPS.
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Libra63
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:07:40 PM new
I am going to ship Priority Mail for $3.85 for all packages. DC is free, free box. My items are small. I am going to try and see what first class will do. I suppose the USPS thought they would get their hands into the ebay business. Greed, that is all it is.They blame it on 9/11 and the anthrax scare. Isn't everything blamed on 9/11. Time for a reality check. I always write all information pertaning to mailing in the area where they put stamps. They can't miss that.
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:23:41 PM new
I just checked Priority Zone 1, 2.5 pnd package = $6.05. That is $2.10 more than before! I can not fathom ebay buyers going for that. Complaint level rises at a shipping & handling of $6.00.
The full switch to fedex will be easy.
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holdenrex
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:35:45 PM new
QD, you're looking at the wrong column - you're quoting the Zone 4 rate. The rate for Zones 1-3 for a 2.5 pound package is $4.75, which is actually 45 cents lower than the previous $5.20. The Zone 1-3 rate is actually a reduction for a lot of weight levels, one of the few bright spots in the price revision.
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:39:16 PM new
I'm not looking at any column. That's the rate quote on the site when I enter weight and zip from the various zones.
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holdenrex
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:46:17 PM new
Well, I just ran a 2.5 pound small package through the rate calculator to a Zone 1 Zip (actually, the neighboring zip code, so it's definitely Zone 1) and it came up with $4.75, which is what's printed on their table.
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:52:35 PM new
There may variances depending where you live. I typed in the zip for California and New York and those are the rates I got.
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feistyone
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:55:43 PM new
I'm going with a $5.50 flat rate for 0-2 pounds (with the option of First Class for anything 13 ounces and under) and going with parcel post for anything heavier than 2 pounds.
Since we live in Washington State, just under half of our packages go zone 8.
Finer Fashions on Ebay, top designers, latest styles.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/feistyone/
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sanmar
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posted on July 1, 2002 08:58:32 PM new
QD: holdenrex is absolutely correct. A 2.5# box to zones 1,2,3 is $4.75. I am taking this right off the USPS chart. QD you better use a different source as the one you are using is screwed up. nycyn; how much did your envelopes weigh? All first class over 13 oz. goes Priority Mail. Libra63, what are you thinking?? A 4 lb pkg to zone 8 is $5.49, a 10 lb pkg to zone 8 is $7.73. These are FedEx Ground rates. Priority Mail rates are $10.35, & $19.20. I am going with FedEx Ground as of today. I just received 50 #7 boxes & 25 # 4 boxes that I am returning to the PO tomorrow. NO MORE USPS for me
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 1, 2002 09:05:42 PM new
You're right, shipping to myself is $4.75, one state over is $6.05, Minnesota is $7.55 and NY is $8.55. Unfortunatey, 99% of my customers aren't in my state. The zone chart is frozen so I don't know the which states belong where.
Looks like they are gouging anything that goes air, which is nearly all my customers, so I'm still switching fully to Fedex.
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Japerton
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posted on July 1, 2002 09:09:56 PM new
Hi
I just found this place.
I think I am doing my shipping wrong.
Are Priority rates adjusted by zip code?
I thought it was by rate?
Japerton
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slabholder
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posted on July 1, 2002 09:41:10 PM new
Japerton,
From ZIP Code To ZIP Code
http://postcalc.usps.gov/
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sparkz
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posted on July 1, 2002 09:43:34 PM new
I started selling items in the 8 - 12 pound range about a year ago and have been using FedEx for that. Even though it takes a couple of extra days to reach the east coast from California, when I show the customer how much they are saving compared to Priority it has never failed to get a positive response. I've found their service to be excellent in all respects, and my customers love to see that tracking number I include in each shipping notice email. I sell a lot of glass and pottery and have yet to have a claim. Starting today, everything over 2 pounds is going FedEx.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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saddamhussien
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posted on July 1, 2002 11:21:37 PM new
USPS just shot themselves in the foot with this drastic price hike on priority mail! To ship 5 lbs. from CA to NY now costs $12.15!! It was $7.70!!
They are losing tons of 1st class business to internet billpaying, but the USPS could have really taken advantage of package deliveries from booming e-commerce. Instead, they just priced themselves out of the market!
I won't ship anything by priority mail ever again if it weighs over 2 lbs. and if it goes more than 4 zones away.
Those incompetent morons running the USPS don't have a clue! It's now just a matter of time before the USPS goes under. It's kinda sad.
Might be a good time to buy some Fedex stock!
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 2, 2002 01:11:26 AM new
They could make billions just by charging people to stand in line as they wait. I doubt anyone of them would care if they had to pay. I mean, on Saturdays the line extends out the door and the wait exeeds 45 minutes, these people are anxious to stand in line.
They do it during their lunch breaks too while two employees work the windows, and they keep coming back every day, and every week. And what are they doing? They aren't mailing packages. Can't imagine how many money orders, change of addresses and sending letters to Hong Kong one can do in a month.
Standing in line is more than waiting. They are happy to be part of something, even if it's just a line. So, the Post Office needs to take advantage of this and start charging admission to the line.
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upriver
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posted on July 2, 2002 03:16:45 AM new
And when Fedex raises their rates, just because they can be greedy, too?
Sales will definitely suffer from this, and it will definitely drive some sellers oob.
I'll change my template on my auctions & will no longer list a fixed shipping charge -- too bad, I think that was a nice part of my terms, that customers could see up front what I was going to charge -- now that it is variable, I'll have to wait until post-auction contact from them & get them the quote. I ship a lot of books many of which I have been charging & shipping priority, but will now be going book rate for sure.
My auctions that ended this weekend do not all have the new prices in them, so I also have to inform bidders that the USPS changes were more drastic than I thought & will have to adjust accordingly, I'm certainly not going to eat a couple of hundred in extra postage!
This is really too bad -- USPS could just as easily have made it simpler & middled the pricing structure somewhere, I think the same bureaucratic morons running Canada Post must be working as consultants to them now. It will make for an awful lot more time & work now e-mailing back & forth to winning bidders & checking the USPS or Fedex websites to determine the shipping costs, I expect this adds considerably to the finish time for each auction.
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sn0bbish
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posted on July 2, 2002 04:53:22 AM new
i sadly have no choice but usps. the nearest drop off for ups and fedex is the next city. =(
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mrfoxy76
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posted on July 2, 2002 04:55:36 AM new
Quickdraw I have been using fedex for approx 85% of my parcels and you will find they are soo much better to deal with and also have a decent tracking system. With the new rate increase I am switching 100% to fedex.
1. I do not have to stand in line forever.
2. free insurance and "realistic" dc.
3. much better customer service
4. they can collect from my work for no extra charge
list goes on
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aposter
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posted on July 2, 2002 05:20:20 AM new
I am only selling First Class items right now until things settle down.
I just went into the USPS website to double check what it would be for a combined order for 3 auctions. They still have the old rates link in a very prominent place.
I was checking that chart for First Class until I remembered to look at the top for the date.
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barbarake
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posted on July 2, 2002 07:27:06 PM new
I was at the PO late last week (before the new rates went into effect). I was the only one there so I was chatting with the clerk. We were discussing the new rates. You should have heard him - ranting and raving about the 'idiot management' at the top levels of management at the PO. He was really upset.
And I don't blame him - I think they're 'idiots' too. <grin>
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airloom
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posted on July 3, 2002 12:04:24 AM new
Before you get all hepped up about FedEx, I just started using it and I have some things to take note of---FedEx does not go everywhere for home deliveries (can usually get around by delivering to a business that agrees to accept the package) and don't forget the 'residential surcharge' which can be in excess of $2.50 as I found recently. Also keep your box at 16x16x16 or under or you will get sticker shock. However, when it works out (right size box, home delivery etc) it can be grand. 5 pound box to NY (Zone 8 from my zip code) was just under $7 recently with free insurance and tracking. USPS would have been $12.15 from my zip for 5 pound box without insurance.
[ edited by airloom on Jul 3, 2002 12:07 AM ]
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quickdraw29
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posted on July 3, 2002 07:56:52 AM new
airloom, I've been using Fedex for a year and never had any problems, or shocks. I ship mainly large items. The largest I shipped was 21x21x21 and the cost was several dollars cheaper than Priority.
The residential surcharge I believe is optional if you want to have the package delivered past business hours. I check residential on the form you hand the clerk and yet to be charged the residential surcharge. I've also never had a package declined saying they won't deliver there. Maybe I've been lucky so far.
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sparkz
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posted on July 3, 2002 08:35:33 AM new
FedEx home delivery is an expanding service within the FedEx system. If home delivery is not available for a specific area, simply ship it FedEx Ground with the residential surchaqrge option checked. Even if Home Delivery is available, you can use this method to ship items that exceed the home delivery weight limit of, I believe, 70 lbs. You can ship FedEx ground to any address, except a P.O., in the United States that is serviced by the Postal service.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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intercraft
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posted on July 3, 2002 08:44:20 AM new
so then I have a question. I have never used Fed Ex but I am SERIOUSLY looking into it. If I send FedEx Ground to a home residence, is it cheaper than sending it FedEx Home Delivery? Or is the only difference between the two the hours that they will deliver it? Do they do this because they always require a signature? Can you indicate to just leave it like the USPS does, on the porch or something convenient?
I know, so many questions, so little time...
I am trying the listing of each zone with the charges for USPS to that zone, and then I put a link to the zone chart instructing the potential bidder on how to work it to find what zone they are in from me. I am thinking that in a sales situation, this is too much to think about. I know that people who REALLY want my items will go through the hoops, but I also like getting bids from people who would just 'like' my items...
;"
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RB
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posted on July 3, 2002 08:47:19 AM new
A US friend of mine sent me a cheque using Priority Mail. It cost him $15.00 (US) to mail it and he paid that figuring it would get here sooner than regular mail.
A day after he mailed it, a trader friend in the next State over sent me a package of videotapes using regular USPS airmail at a cost of $12.00 US.
As most people know, packages sent into Canada from the USA usually get held up in Customs ... letters don't.
The videotapes arrived last Friday (June 28). The Priority Post letter arrived yesterday (July 2).
My point? You folks in the USA are getting ripped off by your "Priority" Post 
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fonze
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posted on July 3, 2002 12:05:35 PM new
Hi.
I'm sending breakables by Priority and everything else by Parcel Post. Well except books go Media Mail. I live in Washington and it seems like all my buyers live on the East Coast. The rates are pretty bad.
Mel
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JWPC
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posted on July 3, 2002 01:09:46 PM new
We ship all under 5 lbs. USPS Priority/U-PIC Insured with Free Delivery Confirmation - on our small items, our particular small item buying customers are anxious to get their items, and Priority assures that (most of the time) and the tracking on line - saves us the endless e-mails from over anxious customers wanting to know where their shipment is - even if we have just e-mailed them 2 days before that it was shipped – now they can track it on line.
Over 5 lbs., we use UPS. I checked FedEx, but the lack of delivery everywhere, and the time consuming problem of having to take it to an office 20 miles away - etc...etc....UPS picks up everyday, and we have had an account with them for a couple of years and are satisfied.
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airloom
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posted on July 3, 2002 02:32:40 PM new
quickdraw29--If you have used them over a year and never encountered an invalid home delivery area then maybe I should just stop using the online rate chart. I have only put in 10 addresses, maybe less, and 'invalid delivery area' has come up more than once. Maybe I should just stick on a label and hand it to the clerk and assume it will get there? You have never had anything returned? And as for box size sticker shock, when I type in 10 pounds to NY (Zone 8 from my zip) in a 16x16x16 box it is about $9. When I add another inch for 17x17x17 it is over $19. I thought I was getting to understand this FedEx thing and now I am not so sure.
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