posted on June 19, 2013 11:50:05 AM new
I woke this morning to find the following message on my iPad -
"Dear Sir / madam,
As of todays date, 19th June . I have not yet received my stamp order.
My Order No is - 1550, and your conformation E-mail was dated 06/08/2013.
`Murphies law` says that now it will probably arrive as soon as I send this message.
Can you please check ay your end to see if it has been despatched to me.
I confirm that the address that you have on file (for me) is correct.
Regards
XXXX XXXXX"
Oh,Oh, I thought. That order totaled over $100- and was sent to the U.K. But then, I remembered that I send orders that are $100 or more by USPS Registered Mail. Further, all shipments are insured by U-Pic. So, I went back to sleep for a while longer.
A quick check later this morning on the USPS web site indicated that the merchandise was already in the U.K.
"Label Number: RRxxxxxxxxxUS
Service Type: Registered Mail(TM)
Shipment Activity Location Date & Time
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processed Through Sort Facility UNITED KINGDOM June 16, 2013 10:33 am
Processed Through Sort Facility ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) June 13, 2013 6:44 am
Arrived at Sort Facility ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) June 13, 2013 6:40 am
Electronic Shipping Info Received June 13, 2013
Dispatched to Sort Facility BREA, CA 92822 June 12, 2013 4:59 pm
Acceptance BREA, CA 92822 June 12, 2013 4:42 pm "
Since the buyer was finishing his June 19th when he sent the email, it just might be that the buyer was already notified of import duties due, and he was testing to see what I knew here in the U.S.
Well, he has to sign for the item. At least I know where the order is today - in the U.K. waiting for him.
posted on June 19, 2013 12:33:41 PM new
From I can see, Registered to UK is only for flats, not packages. I now use Global Shipping to UK, so that also alleviates the problem since eBay verifies my shipment when they receive the package and then forwards it to the UK.
posted on June 19, 2013 01:15:06 PM new
Registered Mail can also be used for packages -
"First-Class Package International, Parcel, weight 0 lbs 9 oz to United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Mailing Summary Post Office Price
First-Class Package International Service™ (0 pounds 9 ounces) $14.90
Registered Mail™ $12.95
Total $27.85 "
This came right from the USPS site. I usually buy the regular postage from Stamps.com, then take package to the local Post Office and have the package registered.
I also use the eBay Global Shipping Program on many of my items. However this shipment did not qualify for the eBay program.
posted on June 19, 2013 07:48:49 PM new
"Can a mail drop off place acceptd registered mail,meaning give you a register form to fill out and a receipt? "
No. The item is kept securely while at the Post Office, and is kept secure throughout the travel to the final destination.
posted on June 19, 2013 08:11:48 PM new
I don't know what Post Offices are like in your area, but ours takes up to an hour to get to the window.
Additionally, there are very specific requirements for packages that are shipped Registered. You cannot use the plastic/vinyl shipping tape. You must use the brown paper tape to seal all edges completely. Then the postal worker will stamp the borders to prove there was no tampering. I went through this recently with some cell phones. In the end, I should have just shipped it Priority with Signature Confirmation. Much less time consuming.
The only time I found Registered to be beneficial was when I shipped a lamp to an auction house in Chicago. To insure it for $5000, I had to ship Registered Mail. Very expensive, but it arrived safely.
Unfortunately, with the Post Office, their insurance coverage is almost worthless unless you want to jump through a million hoops. I had a set of 4 vintage glasses that sold for $80 that went to the UK via Global Express. They got stuck in UK customs and the attempted delivery happened after the guaranteed date. Post Office declined the guaranteed delivery after sending a request to the UK who denied it because their customs took longer than 24 hours. This was not mentioned on USPS website. Then the buyer was no longer at the holiday address, so it was returned to me. Upon return one glass was broken. USPS denied the claim. I appealed it. They sent a check for $20 to cover one glass. How do I sell 3 glasses for $60 now that it isn't a complete set? Additionally, they didn't cover the shipping cost which was over $50.
I don't even bother buying USPS insurance any more.
posted on June 20, 2013 01:58:55 AM new
My Post Office is like the place where time stands still.
I only go there daily to check on mail at my P.O. Box. Otherwise I set my shipments out everyday for pickup.
I use Stamps.com for all my shipping. I just put the orders out in a USPS white box with a scan form. The only time I go to the Post Office is to mail Registered Mail, and Express Mail.
posted on June 20, 2013 07:13:03 AM new
None of the carriers -UPS,UPS,DHL or Fed Exp will refund your shipping if the delay is caused by the local customs office as they have no control over them.
I am interested in what Bill does with overseas first class mail,using registered mail to provide online tracking and signature.
If I send it by global express guarantee,it could cost me 80-100 dollars , no Ebay buyer would pay that for a small item ,but in his case,it is under 30 dollars for a small item under 9 ounces.
