USPS Shipping

[snoopdoggie]

Just a note to let you know to be careful using the Post Office for your shipping. I've had two occurances where they want to weigh a "Flat Rate" box and charge according to the weight. Went in with a $5 box and they tried to charge me $11.40 until I refused. Then they tried to tell me it was not a Flat Rate Box, which it was. Also they don't seem to want to volunteer all the rates to send something out. They only tell you the Priority fee. I sent my son yesterday to ship a box that would go for about $40 - $45. The only price they gave him was for Priority Service, $83.55, which he ended up putting on my card.

 

[snake]

Thievin' bastards. I know their tracking is useless too- it says check back later, no info when it is at the door... another government run disaster.

 

[swamprat]

When I was selling on ebay I would check on the computer for the lowest price and print out a lable. You are right about them only offering only the priority rate.

 

[snoopdoggie]

I finally found a place of their web site to file a complaint. I don't expect any satisfaction though.

 

[rickster]

I always get grief from them on my flat rate mailers because I can ship wrenches in them for $5 when I tie-wrap them to a cardboard backing. They don't like the bulges, extra tape, weight... I've got it down to a science now so I can avoid the bitching. And really, how many times do I have say "cheapest possible" and they come back with a two day shipping price. You ALWAYS have to repeat "Is that the cheapest?" I'm not sending tools to the space shuttle where they need to be there tomorrow, everyone I deal with is looking to save a buck. It's like they get a cut of the profit for every customer they can screw. OK, rant over. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[rboyer]

I find that USPS is no good for anything over like 10lbs. I use them only if I need to ship something really small that's not worth the hassle of scheduling a pickup with FedEx. Then again I have a post office right down the street which sways the convenience for me. I used to use DHL for everything until they went under because nobody could beat their rates and despite all of the bad reviews i've seen online I haven't really had any serious problems with them. They would charge me an extra $3 to pick up a 100lb package where FedEx charges like $15. You really need to just get online quotes before shipping something because I know that FedEx cares more about weight than dimensions and UPS cares more about dimensions than weight so you can end up with two completely different quotes for the same package.

 

[cocoasranger]

When I was selling on ebay I would check on the computer for the lowest price and print out a lable. You are right about them only offering only the priority rate.

+1 on the above. You can also use the automated kiosk in the lobby and get the same price. I have sent some really heavy items in a flat rate box and was never charged extra...... but I never deal with the lines and the bs at the front desk.

You might point out to them that "one price regardless of weighjt" is printed right on the flap of the box.

 

[kunar]

Just a note to let you know to be careful using the Post Office for your shipping. I've had two occurances where they want to weigh a "Flat Rate" box and charge according to the weight. Went in with a $5 box and they tried to charge me $11.40 until I refused. Then they tried to tell me it was not a Flat Rate Box, which it was. Also they don't seem to want to volunteer all the rates to send something out. They only tell you the Priority fee. I sent my son yesterday to ship a box that would go for about $40 - $45. The only price they gave him was for Priority Service, $83.55, which he ended up putting on my card.

i think it probably depends a lot on the local post office. around here i havent had much trouble, but then again i usually either use the 24 hour electronic deal and do it all myself or just ship it UPS through work.

 

[snoopdoggie]

i think it probably depends a lot on the local post office. around here i havent had much trouble, but then again i usually either use the 24 hour electronic deal and do it all myself or just ship it UPS through work.

My negative experiences have been spread over three locations in two states. There should be some though that are more forthcoming with information.