annie55
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posted on January 18, 2003 02:05:04 PM new
I almost always use priority or media mail. I was offering Fed ex ground, but I have to drive so far to the nearest Fed ex desk. I've never offered parcel post, but maybe I should. What advice does anyone have? Would it be just fine for items that are not fragile? Thanks!
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sanmar
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posted on January 18, 2003 02:23:29 PM new
For the difference in cost, stick with Priority Mail. I have in the past mailed some heavy parcels, 10-15 lbs by Parcel Post. One that went 180 miles took 3 weeks to get there. I use FedEx Ground for heavy stuff. I'm only a mile from the center.
[ edited by sanmar on Jan 18, 2003 02:24 PM ]
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CBlev65252
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posted on January 18, 2003 02:23:44 PM new
I've used Parcel Post when my customers have requested it. Sometimes it gets there just as fast as Priority. I do understand, however, that Priority is treated better by the postal workers (that from a postal worker). Fragile items can get broken no matter how you send them. Just package carefully (make sure there is some room for movement in the box), and insure, insure, insure! Personally, I wil not deal with FedX. I tracked a package yesterday. The system said it was out for delivery. Yippee! Because the package required a signature, I sat around the house the entire day. Finally, at 5:00pm I checked the tracking again. The package was taken back to the FedX station. Why? Because it was a three day package and it had only been two days!!!! That FedX truck drove down my street to deliver someone else's package, but couldn't stop at my home to drop off mine because it hadn't been three days yet. You would think that a delivery operation would be thrilled to be able to deliver earlier than expected!! Stick with USPS!
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antique519
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posted on January 18, 2003 02:42:30 PM new
I offer parcel post when ever it is over a dollar cheaper than priority. No one who has chosen it has ever complained about slowness and I have never had anything broken either way. I have sent antique light fixtures with globes and fine crystal and all kinds of things. If it is packed good and tight with some space to each side it should make it fine.
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dorrie
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posted on January 18, 2003 02:42:51 PM new
If the zip code of the buyer is a distance from my home and also if the package weighs quite a bit, then I will check the Parcel Post rates on the USPS website. I have never had a problem shipping anything via Parcel Post.
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paloma91
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posted on January 18, 2003 02:44:07 PM new
I always ship parcel post. However, I always give buyers the choice of shipping. If they chose parcel post, I send it parcel post AND I always use Delivery confirmation. Always! Never had any trouble. sometimes PP arrives before the priority mail does.
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rarriffle
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posted on January 18, 2003 03:02:03 PM new
I have been using parcel post quite a bit lately. Some of the packages have beaten Priority packages shipped the same day.
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toolhound
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posted on January 18, 2003 04:23:20 PM new
I use parcel post but I am not happy with it. I have 2 packages right now that were mailed over 2 weeks ago that have not made it. Also I just recieved one that took 37 days. I will probably quit offering it.
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sapington
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posted on January 18, 2003 04:37:24 PM new
I would just stay with fedex. It is cheaper, they have real tracking, the insurance isn't a ripoff, and they guarantee it to be delivered on the right day.(1-5 days)
Are you sure there isn't a closer place to drop off fedex packages? If you go to www.fedex.com and click the locations link at the top of the page you will a list with the distances from your house. Then click the add ground box near the bottom of the page. There is probably a MBE or similar place closer. I take mine the the local MBE and he doesen't charge me anything but he said some do.
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ahc3
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posted on January 18, 2003 05:55:59 PM new
It depends. On heavier items (talking 20 or 30 pounds here) parcel post can be a huge savings, maybe even 35% or more. For 5 pounds and under, the price difference is probably not worth it if you can use the priority mail supplies
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on January 20, 2003 11:29:01 AM new
Average delivery time for parcel post/media mail =6.1 days. Priority Mail has been averaging about 2.9 days.
These data are from Endicia users nationwide -- we monitor the delivery performance centrally.
[email protected]
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sanmar
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posted on January 20, 2003 04:16:40 PM new
I just had an experience with Priority Mail. I sold a Spode T-Pot to a buyer in NYC. The auction went off @11:30PM Sunday night. I emailed him the shipping charges. The next morning, he payed with P/P. I mailed it that afternoon & he got it on Wednesday!! I live on the Central Coast of CA. Beat that for fast delivery!!
[ edited by sanmar on Jan 20, 2003 04:18 PM ]
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neonmania
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posted on January 20, 2003 05:45:26 PM new
I think the best I've ever gotten was an item that I shipped from SD on Monday that somehow made it to the buyers hands in England on Thursday. Amazing part was it was sent air, not global priority.
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rawbunzel
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posted on January 20, 2003 08:06:51 PM new
Since the rates went up I try to offer Parcel post on items over a pound.Buyer seem to appreciate having the choice. Usually the item makes it to the buyer within a week and often in a couple of days. Never had a problem with it and it does save money for the buyer if they are zone 7 or 8 from you.
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