posted on November 22, 2006 06:38:22 PM new
I just heard from my friendly clerks at the USPS office in town that there's a new service/process that's coming (didn't hear when). I didn't have time to get "all" of the details, but the gist of it is this:
No more dropping off pre-postage-applied packages - coming!
When we shippers who have a number of packages we've printed postage for (they said on USPS.com, but I would expect Endicia and Stamps as well - who knows when PayPal might get on board) - they will be prompted to print a USPS Form ##### (I don't remember the number she mentioned) that will serve as a sort of manifest of all the packages.
The big new thing, they said with disgust, is that those (like me) who drop off their pre-postage-affixed packages will be required to wait in line to present the manifest form and one of the packages on the form. They'll scan the DC and that will effectively place the entire package list "en route" and into the USPS system. It will also give them an opportunity to inquire about "hazardous, liquid or perishable" materials as they do when you're at the counter now.
On the good side - could this ultimately help provide proof of shipment that is often not possible when scanning isn't done or done at the very last minute before delivery?
This could be a move to move closer to a system close to other carriers that provide more "tracking" rather than "delivery confirmation." Could it be something that helps justify a planned increase?
Any further thoughts?
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on November 22, 2006 07:36:59 PM new
It Is called a scan form - it is a postage log (so to speak) of your packages.
https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do
SCAN Form
Show your recipient the package is on its way with Click-N-Ship's new Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice, or SCAN Form.
The SCAN Form contains a master barcode that represents the packages in a shipment and is scanned when your shipment is received by the Postal Service. This single scan enters all of your associated packages into our Track & Confirm database as "Shipment Accepted" and allows both you and the recipient to see when the package entered the mailstream.
Print the SCAN Form after printing your labels; you can use a SCAN form for one or more packages, as long as they are shipped on the same date and from the same ZIP Code.
posted on November 23, 2006 09:58:43 AM new
This will be a fabulous thing for honest merchants who actually ship the packages they print postage for.
I can't tell you how many hundred's of emails a year I get from people questioning me if I actually SHIPPED the package since the usps.com message is so darned quick to point out that there is no proof the package was shipped, only that the DC# was made.
HOWEVER this is a new loophole/weapon shady dishonest merchants will use....... You know the ones who print a shipping label but don't ship then blame the PO for losing the package etc etc.
Since the manifest should validate all DC numbers made that day and show recipients that their package was shipped when it wasn't some people are going to get away with defrauding more customers.
I have a competitor who I have PROOF does this already. They print DC's then blame the PO for taking 6 weeks to deliver. They respond to their several negative feedbacks with the DC# they made, as though they're fooling anyone.
I doubt that when this goes into effect that anyone is count to COUNT or cross-reference all of the packages that are on the manifest.
posted on November 23, 2006 10:12:50 AM new
I see this as a positive too, it means that all packages will be scanned. My postmaster actually talked about this last week, and showed me the form. As far as standing in line, I guess that depends on the arrangement with your post office. My local post office actually opens the processing area for me, so it won't affect me. Anyway, I am sure there is a way around standing in line.
posted on November 23, 2006 10:44:48 AM newNo more DID YOU SHIP? Emails
You must be joking.
You'll never be rid of WISMOs. (Where Is My Order?)
When I first started using Shipping Assistant, I cleverly (or so I thought) emailed DC numbers to package recipients.
Then the emails, threats, accusations, etc. started pouring in.
YOU try explaining to thousands of people that DC isn't tracking. I got tired quickly. They don't read the whole thing anyway.
Now, not only do I not send them the DC number, I don't even send out shipping notifications any more. Why? See paragraph above re: emails, threats, accusations, etc. It's a simple matter of the best use of my time. I can send out a shipping notification -- or I can actually ship the thing. I can't do both at the same time.
There's also the "email begets email" factor. You send out a shipping notification to 10 people and 4 of them will respond by complaining that you didn't ship quickly enough. (You could get around that by setting the Reply-To: address to a dead mailbox, I suppose.) 3 of them will respond with a "thanks", further clogging your inbox. And 3 of them actually have lives without a compulsive need to respond to every bit of email.
All: Your conclusion that this is a "good" or "bad" thing is premature, as it really all depends on what change PayPal makes to their dispute resolution process. The only thing we know for sure is that it will make more work for you, and that is seldom an improvement.
posted on November 23, 2006 10:57:12 AM new
Now, not only do I not send them the DC number
I do not either. If they request it, I do explain that Priority mail is not scanned in transit. There is no number that would show the packages' progress.
D/C is only proof that it is scanned delivered hence is called Delivery Confirmation.
Express Mail is scanned in transit, not Priority Mail.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
posted on November 23, 2006 09:54:51 PM new
As an AMAZON Merchant I am REQUIRED to upload the DC numbers for all of my packages. I NEVER waste time sending out emails on any subject, I only respond to questions.
So the DC is uploaded to Amazon from there I get the "Did You Ship?" Emails from customers.
posted on November 24, 2006 05:10:52 PM new
Stone,
It sure will. According to the bit I heard, they will have to scan the sheet when you present it to them -- after, of course, they count the items and verify it's the same as on the manifest form.
I think that will be the preferred way to do it from now on. If the lines get any longer at the P.O., I'll have to start charging a "standing at the P.O. fee."
Hope everyone had a good BF (Black Friday).
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on November 25, 2006 11:56:05 AM new
This is off-topic, but has any noticed that post offices are beginning to removing their wall clocks. I inquired about it, and the reason I was given was "so people won't be able see what time it is"
posted on November 25, 2006 12:35:28 PM new
" The process is simple:
1. Create your label.
2. Check the label's "Add to SCAN Form" checkbox on the Shipping Cart page.
3. After printing all your labels for the day, close out and print the SCAN Form. Sample SCAN Form
4. Bring the form with you to the Post Office™ or place it with your packages if you request Carrier Pickup®.
5. A USPS employee will scan the barcode on the SCAN Form and return it to you for your records.
6. Use Track and Confirm on USPS.com to see the date and time that your package(s) entered the USPS mail stream."
Stone, wouldn't #4 from the USPS web site apply to those of us who have the carrier pick up our packages? Seems to be it should but "should" with the PO is another subject.
posted on November 26, 2006 01:40:04 PM new
my carrier always scans each package he gets from me thus entering it into system.
Here in my town I have been having to stand in line anyway they stopped drop off over a year ago. I always ask them to scan the package to enter it into system as presented to post office on date I print shipping label so there is proof I did in fact give it to PO.
Wonder if Paypal will come up with the manifest form for us. would be nice so clerks would only have to scan one thing not a dozen or so.
************** Check it out
posted on December 1, 2006 07:30:10 AM new
Saw reference to something like this?? at the Paypal Multi shipment center I just used today. It is only place at Paypal that I have been able to find to print postage for a package that is NOT through Ebay or other selling place, lets you enter the address etc and creats a label ALSO lets you import all your Paypal payments that need shipping into one place then print them all at once. I think it lets you print them all at once I was just printing a label for one package I didn't get a payment for to the mominlaw. Anyway I saw a reference to printing some sort of manifest but didn't check it out cause I was in hurry to get that package out to my box for pickup. So if anyone goes and checks out the Multiorder shipping at Paypal they can access that information, I already logged out of it. I kinda like that PP but would have to use it more to see just how well I would really like it. Had problem at first with my POP-UP killing the window for the label and finally found the reprint place thight there in the window of the list second tab I believe it was.
OH, I use to be able to use click-n-ship at USPS for first class postage NOW it is not showing any thing to choose first class, media mail or Parcel post. AND I found a reference that first class and the like were not available with DC as you had to pay full price for DC? When did that start, I had used it a couple months ago to mail the mominlaw a package and used first class, now they only offer priority mail on up. Today I was a mailing a 2 ox bubble wrap package and all they offered me was priority mail starting at $4.10 I am most upset at this latest development at click n ship at USPS. Anyone know anything otherwise to get it to show all mail options?
Hope everyone comes back to read this or I should have posted another thread maybe.
Edited to add Heads up on shipping labels at the Multi-order ship center, using 2 part labels it prints reciept on bottom half so it will ruin one of your labels don't know if you can turn that off or not. I have it turned off in regular print label from the My account so I ruined my other label with it printing the reciept on it no biggy just a heads up.
**************
Check it out
[ edited by irked on Dec 1, 2006 07:45 AM ]
posted on December 1, 2006 05:50:47 PM new
Thanks irked for the info about Multi Shipping now in Paypal !!! - this is a BIG improvement that I'm really looking forward to using - especially as you can now print labels for ANY shipment, not just Ebay or Paypal payments! And I'm also looking forward to using my Dymo printer!
re: USPS Click & Ship - they haven't offered anything other than Priority & Express for a long time. Maybe you are thinking of the USPS Shipping Assistant program that is run on your PC, rather than the Click N Ship website?
posted on December 1, 2006 06:29:26 PM new
I last shipped a package I think last summer and thought I sent it first class through the click and ship sign in on the web site. but hey I may just be ha-lu-sin-ating. LOL That is a shame but sure glad I found that other at PP now I won't need click n ship unless PP gets stinky about shipping to someone you didn't sell to. It worked today so am H-a-p-p-y!
************** Check it out
posted on December 2, 2006 03:14:08 PM new
sthoemke: Yes, I mentioned the missing clocks in a thread a while back. It makes no sense except for the possibility that the p.o. doesn't want us to know how long we've been waiting! Everyone here in our little mountain town has complained about it, to no avail.
I wonder if they were being stolen from the lobbies!!, hence the removal. Of course the easy fix for that is to put them behind the clerks. Probably too complicated for the higher-ups to figure out.
