Ingeborg Foco on tue 8 jan 08
All of the discussions on shipping and shipping companies has been really
enlightening and I had the opportunity to check out the facts with our US
Postal Service..
Yesterday I went to the local Post office and asked for a Priority Box. I
received, free of charge a box - well they called it a shirt box and it was
about 2 inches in depth and the length and width of a shirt. I packed it
with some treats for my mom who has been going thru some rough times. Today
I took it there and they weighed it and said it was 3 # and $10.20. I
said isn't this a flat rate.....no this isn't a flat rate box but it could
be....I asked if it was what would it have cost....one dollar less and a few
cents in change. Of course the package is not insured and I don't know when
it will get there if ever, that is all extra. For me I guess it is too much
hoopla. I thought all Priority boxes were flat rate. Too much to ask and
too much detail.
I know I could have sent this package to Ohio for the same amount with UPS.
I dropped it off, there was no insurance and no tracking record. So, I
guess I find the post office somewhat annoying. They are the same people
who can't be bothered to put something into my PO Box even though this is
really a small place and they know who I am. The UPS guy will drop my
business packages off at the house when I am closed at the shop, Mon &
Tues. Smart guy that he is and interested in keeping his company going.
My only gripe with UPS is the $3.00 pick up fee when the guy is just driving
by my place daily it seems they could stop and pick it up for free. Maybe
I
On Jan 8, 2008 4:06 PM, Susan Fox Hirschmann wrote:
> In a message dated 1/8/2008 2:20:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> potter@WESTMAN.WAVE.CA writes:
>
> ditto to what Dale just said about their extra fees and
> trying to actually get a real live person when you do have a
> problem...I have wondered whether it's because I live in the
> "boonies"
> and they use contract services to make the deliveries.
>
> UPS may be higher but heck you can depend on
> delivery times/pick ups, etc---I am a "ready customer" with an account
> with
> them.
> I call for pick ups, next day, or same day. Once when the driver never
> came
> (not bad over about 22 years of using them---my customer service rep drove
> over
> here and picked up the package so it would go out to the gallery on the
> day
> promised.) It is great to just get one monthly bill rather than leaving
> out
> checks with the package, like I used to do.
> What could be easier? The fact that packages 99% arrive when they say
> they
> will.....is really important as well.
> Susan
> Annandale, VA
>
>
>
> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, or change your
> subscription settings here: http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
>
--
Sincerely,
Ingeborg
www.thepottersworkshop.com
Vicki Hardin on tue 8 jan 08
I just shipped three pieces from Texas to Philadelphia and thought I would
share what I learned. I shipped two packages. One box with a single piece
and another with two. All pieces were the same size. The box with two pieces
weighed 11 pounds and measured 22 x 22 x 13. USPS penalized this box not
only for being large, but for being light. So, it qualified for a "baloon
charge". After finding that this box would cost more than 40 dollars parcel
post I went to UPS. Particularly after a postal worker told me that with
Parcel Post, items are not restacked with the lighter on top as they are
with priority mail. So, I headed over to UPS where I also learned they
expect boxes to be packed to withstand the weight of 150 pounds. At UPS the
large box was penalized for being large. While the box half its size could
be shipped for 12.08, the larger box would cost 38.02. So, if I had packed
all three pieces individually, the cost would be around 36.00 instead of
50.00. So, happy packing everyone!
Regards,
Vicki Hardin
http://VickiHardin.com
Susan Fox Hirschmann on tue 8 jan 08
In a message dated 1/8/2008 2:20:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,
potter@WESTMAN.WAVE.CA writes:
ditto to what Dale just said about their extra fees and
trying to actually get a real live person when you do have a
problem...I have wondered whether it's because I live in the
"boonies"
and they use contract services to make the deliveries.
UPS may be higher but heck you can depend on
delivery times/pick ups, etc---I am a "ready customer" with an account with
them.
I call for pick ups, next day, or same day. Once when the driver never came
(not bad over about 22 years of using them---my customer service rep drove over
here and picked up the package so it would go out to the gallery on the day
promised.) It is great to just get one monthly bill rather than leaving out
checks with the package, like I used to do.
What could be easier? The fact that packages 99% arrive when they say they
will.....is really important as well.
Susan
Annandale, VA
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
Dale Cochoy on tue 8 jan 08
Well, UPS will surely be around a long time. They fill some holes that are
needed. I ONLY use them now when I have to ship a large pot and I want THEM
to pack it. I'll use a UPS store who insures up to $100 and adds extra $100
for $1 each. If it's a risky ship I let them do the work. It's surely more
expensive but if something hard to replace gets broke...well, THEY packed
it! In all my shipping cases the customer pays the bill, but I don't like to
have them feel screwed if not necessary. For smaller items and ANYTHING I'm
sending to Europe , pottery or tools, I wrap and I send USPS and have found
several times that after compairing my wrapped package with UPS and then
USPS that the post office is normally about 25% of the UPS cost. You pay
dearly for that "tracking" ability and for it to get there one or two days
quicker!
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Hartville, Ohio
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Fox Hirschmann"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
> In a message dated 1/8/2008 2:20:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> potter@WESTMAN.WAVE.CA writes:
>
> ditto to what Dale just said about their extra fees and
> trying to actually get a real live person when you do have a
> problem...I have wondered whether it's because I live in the
> "boonies"
> and they use contract services to make the deliveries.
>
> UPS may be higher but heck you can depend on
> delivery times/pick ups, etc---I am a "ready customer" with an account
> with
> them.
> I call for pick ups, next day, or same day. Once when the driver never
> came
> (not bad over about 22 years of using them---my customer service rep drove
> over
> here and picked up the package so it would go out to the gallery on the
> day
> promised.) It is great to just get one monthly bill rather than leaving
> out
> checks with the package, like I used to do.
> What could be easier? The fact that packages 99% arrive when they say
> they
> will.....is really important as well.
> Susan
> Annandale, VA
>
Lois Ruben Aronow on tue 8 jan 08
> Well, UPS will surely be around a long time. They fill some
> holes that are needed. I ONLY use them now when I have to
> ship a large pot and I want THEM to pack it. I'll use a UPS
> store who insures up to $100 and adds extra $100 for $1 each.
for what it's worth - your UPS rate includes $100 of insurance. It doesn't
matter if you take it to a UPS store or not - you get the $100 insurance.
You can buy insurance for each additional hundred dollars for 55 cents each
hundred.
> THEY packed it! In all my shipping cases the customer pays
> the bill, but I don't like to have them feel screwed if not
> necessary.
If there is breakage, UPS will reimburse you for the shipping cost if they
approve the claim. If the claim is under a hundred buck, they will
generally approve it - no questions asked.
> found several times that after compairing my wrapped package
> with UPS and then USPS that the post office is normally about
> 25% of the UPS cost. You pay dearly for that "tracking"
> ability and for it to get there one or two days quicker!
You can purchase tracking with USPS. They charge 75 cents for a package.
You can also purchase insurance from the US Post Office. Buying insurance
may mean you have to pack your goods in the way they tell you to, otherwise
they won't cover it.
For the record, I have had a terrible time with the UPS and have NEVER been
able to collect on a claim.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of
> Dale Cochoy
> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 6:59 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
>
> If it's a risky ship I let them do the work. It's surely more
> expensive but if something hard to replace gets broke...well,
For smaller items and ANYTHING I'm sending to
> Europe , pottery or tools, I wrap and I send USPS and have
>
> Dale Cochoy
> Wild Things Bonsai Studio
> Hartville, Ohio
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Susan Fox Hirschmann"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:06 PM
> Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
>
>
> > In a message dated 1/8/2008 2:20:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> > potter@WESTMAN.WAVE.CA writes:
> >
> > ditto to what Dale just said about their extra fees and trying to
> > actually get a real live person when you do have a problem...I have
> > wondered whether it's because I live in the "boonies"
> > and they use contract services to make the deliveries.
> >
> > UPS may be higher but heck you can depend on delivery
> times/pick ups,
> > etc---I am a "ready customer" with an account with them.
> > I call for pick ups, next day, or same day. Once when the
> driver never
> > came (not bad over about 22 years of using them---my
> customer service
> > rep drove over here and picked up the package so it would go out to
> > the gallery on the day
> > promised.) It is great to just get one monthly bill rather than
> > leaving out checks with the package, like I used to do.
> > What could be easier? The fact that packages 99% arrive
> when they say
> > they will.....is really important as well.
> > Susan
> > Annandale, VA
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ________________
> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, or
> change your subscription settings here:
> http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
Lee Love on wed 9 jan 08
The only affordable way to ship internationally is via the post
office. I just cecked on Fedex compared to USPS for shipping me an
MP3 player 2lbs. Fedex cost $78.00 and USPS $11.00
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan
http://groups.google.com/group/ClayCraft
"Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by
education." -- Bertrand Russell
James and Sherron Bowen on wed 9 jan 08
Actually there is practically no subsidy for the Postal Service. There used
to be for newspapers, books, and other media. There is supposed to be a
subsidy for the "Free Matter For The Blind" but congress usually cuts that
out. The law since 1970 is that each piece of mail is supposed to pay it's
way. For some time some classes subsidized others, but that has been cut
out, too.
JB
----- Original Message -----
From: "tinkerbellesarah"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 8:50 PM
Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
Steve Slatin on wed 9 jan 08
Sarah --
The USPO, a cabinet agency, was abolished by the Postal
Reorganization Act of 1970. Up to that date, the PO was
subsidized considerably.
The subsidy was reduced steadily over the years, and
is now zero for regular delivery, with all of the
cost of basic mail delivery covered by the charge of the
postage. There are still payments made from general
revenue funds to support keeping post offices functioning
in isolated, low-traffic locations. Many of these locations
are in Alaska, actually. I don't know if Sitka is one of
them, but I wouldn't doubt it.
(There are also some hidden subsidies in the way that
capital improvements are paid for -- they're so convoluted
that they're almost impossible to price out, and in
the property tax free status of postal facilities.)
The huge price advantage in USPS deliveries stems
mostly from the fact that they do deliver nearly
everywhere, have daily delivery schedules, and the
like. Having an open, functioning operation
allows considerable economies of scale. A
letter send via DHL has to be picked up, sorted,
transported, and then a truck has to go out to
your very own place of business or residence to
accomplish delivery.
I lived in a nice, reasonably well-developed country
with lower than american-level wage rates and
a postal system that ended at the post office.
A letter sent across town cost about the same
as a similar letter in the US. But they didn't deliver
to my home, they delivered to a sort of substation
(called an 'apartado') where you had to identify
yourself and give the number of what should have
been a post office box (but wasn't) and then they'd
give you your mail. A basic mail pickup could
easily take an hour on a busy day, not counting
my own transportation.
Where I live now, on a suburban route, the
carrier loads up a station wagon with mail and
packages, and delivers hundreds of stops per
day with anywhere from zero to 50 pieces of
mail per stop. It's the volume of articles delivered
that makes it economically feasible.
Parcels, because of their size and weight, cannot
be inexpensively delivered in such great numbers --
hence the nearer rates of parcel post and UPS
or DHL package charges.
-- Steve Slatin
tinkerbellesarah wrote:
I think one piece to note is that USPS is heavily subsidized, and so
much cheaper, for remote places like Alaska, and many international
locations. LOTS of merchants who use UPS exclusively have lost my
business, because I can't ship anything here via UPS or FedEx for less
than about $40. Every time I have to return something with a UPS
label, I have to call the 1-800 number and talk to someone (in Ohio,
or India) three levels up to get them to believe me that there is in
fact a UPS truck in town and he can come pick this up. If nothing
else, I suggest at least offering USPS for those of us in less easily
reached locations.
=)Sarah in Snowy Sitka
---------------------------------
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Dale Cochoy on wed 9 jan 08
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lois Ruben Aronow"
>> Well, UPS will surely be around a long time. They fill some
>> holes that are needed. I ONLY use them now when I have to
>> ship a large pot and I want THEM to pack it. I'll use a UPS
>> store who insures up to $100 and adds extra $100 for $1 each.
>
> for what it's worth - your UPS rate includes $100 of insurance. It
> doesn't
> matter if you take it to a UPS store or not - you get the $100 insurance.
I think I said that??
> You can buy insurance for each additional hundred dollars for 55 cents
> each
> hundred.
I paid $1 for each $100....
Should I argue?
>
>> THEY packed it! In all my shipping cases the customer pays
>> the bill, but I don't like to have them feel screwed if not
>> necessary.
>
> If there is breakage, UPS will reimburse you for the shipping cost if they
> approve the claim. If the claim is under a hundred buck, they will
> generally approve it - no questions asked.
I knew that and thought I implied it?
>
>> found several times that after compairing my wrapped package
>> with UPS and then USPS that the post office is normally about
>> 25% of the UPS cost. You pay dearly for that "tracking"
>> ability and for it to get there one or two days quicker!
>
> You can purchase tracking with USPS. They charge 75 cents for a package.
> You can also purchase insurance from the US Post Office. Buying insurance
> may mean you have to pack your goods in the way they tell you to,
> otherwise
> they won't cover it.
You can't get tracking with every type shipping to everywhere. There are
many different rules for different countries. For instance I sent a large
tool order to the Netherlands and no matter what I wanted to insure it for
they only will accept a $600 ( or something like that) insurance max to
Holland with type of mail I used. You need a scorecard to ship by USPS to
sme places. I've had similar problems trying to ship and insure to Montreal.
Plus, the PO is kinda like the customs office, if you don't ask a sPECIFIC
question they don't seem to feel the need to give you info that might be
important.
As for packing, "Good Packing" is subjective to an insurance adjuster, thats
why if it's real important I WILL use UPS and let them pack. It's pretty
hard for them to back out of insurance if THEY packed it.
>
> For the record, I have had a terrible time with the UPS and have NEVER
> been
> able to collect on a claim.
Years ago when I had a store it was not a problem. But they've had a lot of
changes in insurance "handling" and fortunately over the last several years
I've not had to test it. That MAY BE due to letting THEM pack when I do use
them to ship something breakable.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of
>> Dale Cochoy
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 6:59 PM
>> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>> Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
>>
>> If it's a risky ship I let them do the work. It's surely more
>> expensive but if something hard to replace gets broke...well,
> For smaller items and ANYTHING I'm sending to
>> Europe , pottery or tools, I wrap and I send USPS and have
>>
>> Dale Cochoy
>> Wild Things Bonsai Studio
>> Hartville, Ohio
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Susan Fox Hirschmann"
>> To:
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:06 PM
>> Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
>>
>>
>> > In a message dated 1/8/2008 2:20:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>> > potter@WESTMAN.WAVE.CA writes:
>> >
>> > ditto to what Dale just said about their extra fees and trying to
>> > actually get a real live person when you do have a problem...I have
>> > wondered whether it's because I live in the "boonies"
>> > and they use contract services to make the deliveries.
>> >
>> > UPS may be higher but heck you can depend on delivery
>> times/pick ups,
>> > etc---I am a "ready customer" with an account with them.
>> > I call for pick ups, next day, or same day. Once when the
>> driver never
>> > came (not bad over about 22 years of using them---my
>> customer service
>> > rep drove over here and picked up the package so it would go out to
>> > the gallery on the day
>> > promised.) It is great to just get one monthly bill rather than
>> > leaving out checks with the package, like I used to do.
>> > What could be easier? The fact that packages 99% arrive
>> when they say
>> > they will.....is really important as well.
>> > Susan
>> > Annandale, VA
>> >
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> ________________
>> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, or
>> change your subscription settings here:
>> http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots2@visi.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, or change your
> subscription settings here: http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
>
Dale Cochoy on wed 9 jan 08
Yep! There ya go (below) thats what I've found when comparing when taking a
package to both USPS and UPS to compare.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Love"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 10:44 PM
Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
> The only affordable way to ship internationally is via the post
> office. I just cecked on Fedex compared to USPS for shipping me an
> MP3 player 2lbs. Fedex cost $78.00 and USPS $11.00
>
> --
> Lee in Mashiko, Japan
Neal on wed 9 jan 08
> Posted by: ingeborg.foco@GMAIL.COM
> Date: Tue Jan 8, 2008 9:10 pm ((PST))
>
> I thought all Priority boxes were flat rate.
> Too much to ask and too much detail.
>
> I dropped it off, there was no insurance and no
> tracking record.
I sent a package to my brother and his wife Monday.
They live in Seattle. I'm in Raleigh. The flat rate
priority mail packages are the only way I can
send them something inexpensively. By filling out
the details on the USPS website, I get free
tracking and confirmation. I did buy the insurance
for an extra $1.65. The total was $10.60.
In checking UPS rates, it would have cost at least
$14.40 for me to send them this package. Plus UPS
is not convenient: I'd have to drive 5 miles to
drop it off. And the Post Office is going to
deliver the package today--two days after I mailed
it--according to the online tracking info. UPS
estimates it would be a week to deliver it using
ground rate. Upgrading to "3-day select" service
would cost $34.00 total.
I used to sell a bit of antiques and collectibles
on eBay. At first, I usually went with UPS. But
during one of their strikes, I started using USPS
and decided the service was better and cheaper
for me. And once you've learned the ins and outs
of the services they offer, you're a lot better
off. I especially like the free boxes and the
flat-rate priority option.
Neal O'Briant
____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
James and Sherron Bowen on wed 9 jan 08
"Plus, the PO is kinda like the customs office, if you don't ask a sPECIFIC
question they don't seem to feel the need to give you info that might be
important."
Try another clerk, or another P. O. or just complain in writing. They will
answer all complaints tendered on a consumer service card. OR go here:
http://customers-services.info/
JB
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dale Cochoy"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 8:01 AM
Subject: Re: DHL--UPS
tinkerbellesarah on thu 10 jan 08
I think one piece to note is that USPS is heavily subsidized, and so
much cheaper, for remote places like Alaska, and many international
locations. LOTS of merchants who use UPS exclusively have lost my
business, because I can't ship anything here via UPS or FedEx for less
than about $40. Every time I have to return something with a UPS
label, I have to call the 1-800 number and talk to someone (in Ohio,
or India) three levels up to get them to believe me that there is in
fact a UPS truck in town and he can come pick this up. If nothing
else, I suggest at least offering USPS for those of us in less easily
reached locations.
=3D)Sarah in Snowy Sitka
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