USPS question

arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
in Help Wanted!
http://reviews.ebay.com/First-Class-Mail-With-Delivery-Confirmation-Too_W0QQugidZ10000000005538293

Jason (or anybody else knowledgeable on the subject), is the info in the above link true?

I just shipped a CD in a jewel case, all tucked in a small bubble mailer, and since it was "less that 3/4 inch thick" they refused to allow me to get delivery confirmation, despite the fact that they charged me the "First Class Parcel" rate, since it was a rigid item.

The explanation sounded like a bunch of bull shit, since I was paying parcel rate, it should be considered a parcel, and thus allow DC.

Anyway, they wouldn't budge, and I was in a hurry, so I just let it go, but in the future, I would like to be better equipped.

Any thoughts?

-Nathan

Comments

  • NewUser123456789NewUser123456789
    I've been told the same thing in the past.. unless a bubble mailer is over 3/4" thick no DC...
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    Originally posted by: PSerge

    I've been told the same thing in the past.. unless a bubble mailer is over 3/4" thick no DC...


    That's what the clerk claimed, but since I was charged for the parcel rate, shouldn't I get all the possible services that go with the upcharge?


  • bunnyboybunnyboy
    You may need to print out the USPS DMM and bring them in. Counter workers frequently just don't know the rules because there are so many.



    Time to start buying small 3/4" plastic blocks to make your package thicker? image
  • pats1717pats1717
    Just print it online image We have shipped thousands of bubble envelopes and each one of them had dc on it!
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    Originally posted by: bunnyboy

    You may need to print out the USPS DMM and bring them in. Counter workers frequently just don't know the rules because there are so many.





    No wonder USPS is losing money image
  • GaZ_D200GaZ_D200
    My guess - You pay more because it's not a letter, but they won't class it as a package (which they may therefore have to pay a claim on if it's damaged) as it's not big enough to contain adequate internal packaging to prevent said damage. That's my thoughts as a UPS employee anyway image
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    Originally posted by: GaZ_D200

    My guess - You pay more because it's not a letter, but they won't class it as a package (which they may therefore have to pay a claim on if it's damaged) as it's not big enough to contain adequate internal packaging to prevent said damage. That's my thoughts as a UPS employee anyway image


    Nope.  They only pay claims on stuff that you get insured...and very rarely do they pay on those.  It's absolutely not a liability thing.
  • OSGOSG
    If the cost for a bubble mailer less than 3/4" thick and slightly more than 3/4" thick is the same, I would have just started packing it with crumpled up peices of paper or something at the counter. Preferably shipping paperwork.
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    I would have, except it was already self-sealed, and they won't let you use their tape unless you're shipping Priority Mail.
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    The clerk is correct. It has to be 3/4" thick to be able to use DC on it. It doesn't matter if it was sent as a parcel or not, it has to be thick enough or it doesn't qualify. However anything that goes Priority Mail can have a DC# regardless of thickness and rigidity.

    ~~NGD
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    Jason, did you read the link I posted? I'm curious about getting your opinion on the regulations he cites.
  • dangevindangevin
    Yep anyways the moral of the story is, if it's going to be thin, just stick a sheet or two of bubble wrap in there and you're golden. Should barely change the weight.



    I've had strategy guides sent just in a kraft paper envelope returned to me because I sent them first class with an online label (automatically with delivery confirmation), but paid FC instead of Priority. Sometimes they'll let it through, sometimes it gets kicked back and I must pay again.
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    Originally posted by: arch_8ngel

    Jason, did you read the link I posted? I'm curious about getting your opinion on the regulations he cites.

    His guide is pretty spot on from skimming it over.  Using a cotton ball is a great idea cause they pretty much weight nothing and are pretty thick.
    ~~NGD

  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    That part I get. I see that this is totally avoidable in the future.



    I was more interested in your opinion regarding the rules the author cites. Where they purport that, sticking strictly to the regulations, DC only requires that it be considered a parcel regardless of the thickness.
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    Correct. DC is only a package service and can't be used on a letter at all. That is what Certified Mail is for. We as clerks try to get people to send things priority mail w/ DC# cause it makes the PO more money.



    The guys whole Do Not Bend thing does not hold up though. Just writing do not bend does NOT make it automatically a parcel. It is all based on size, thickness and rigidity.

    ~~NGD
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    Yes, but if they CHARGE ME FOR A PARCEL, because it is not bendable (it contains a jewel case)...is it not then, by default, a parcel?
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    It is a parcel, yes. But you didn't meet the requirement for DC to be added via the thickness or size. Each services have different restrictions on how and when they can be used.

    ~~NGD
  • GaZ_D200GaZ_D200
    My brain hurts image
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    Originally posted by: GaZ_D200

    My brain hurts image

    Amen.  Try having to learn all this when you first start image They really do make it WAY harder than it should ever be.  Some of the rules and things we have to do are just silly.  I really do enjoy the job though, and helping people out when I can.
    ~~NGD

  • Kitsune SniperKitsune Sniper
    Wait. What? MY clerks, anal as they are about Media Mail, say that I can send a FLAT item like a CD case in a bubble mailer with D/C because it's RIGID. It can't be bent.



    Christ, I hate the USPS's idiotic lack of rule consensus...
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    ^^^ I THOUGHT that was how it's supposed to be, but the locals disagree.
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    A CD in a bubble mailer is probably pretty close to the thickness anyways, depending on the mailer. This isn't even the biggest gray area in postal rules, the biggest gray area is dealing with surcharges on envelopes to determine if they get a surcharge, are a flat, or qualify for a parcel...

    ~~NGD
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    It's close. It's probably right at 3/4", but the doofas at the counter insisted that since it fit through the slot it was too thin.
  • HIGHTOWER26HIGHTOWER26
    dont know if this will help you or not. i stick a small piece of cardboard on each side of the game to help protect the item and to give it the thickness it needs to be able to do a DC.
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel
    Yeah, that would work, and I intend do it in the future if I mail jewel cases. NES games are thick enough on their own.
  • smokinjoe24smokinjoe24
    This is amazing. I have never had anything returned and I know a gba game or ps2 memory card is not think enough. If you print from home, do they even check the thickness?
  • NationalGameDepotNationalGameDepot
    Originally posted by: smokinjoe24

    This is amazing. I have never had anything returned and I know a gba game or ps2 memory card is not think enough. If you print from home, do they even check the thickness?

    Honestly?  Not that often.  Across the window we are not allowed to do it cause it doesn't meet mailing requirements standards.  I think it is a stupid rule anyways, but my opinion doesn't really matter much.  I think at this point USPS should encourage the use of any special service just to get more dollars in the door.  Times are tough, and having a ton of rules isn't always a good thing.
    ~~NGD

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