Thank Goodness for USPS Flat Rate Boxes

If you use the "Click & Ship" option on line, it's even cheaper and you get free delivery confirmation. Plus it prints the label for you.
 
CarlG said:
Now if I could just convince the parts suppliers to use them. UPS & FedEx both really gouge you, even when they ship "ground" to Alaska.
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There's a reason why most commercial and retail places don't use USPS for shipping of things regardless of the cost. USPS doesn't track anything. They'll only tell you when things have arrived which should be pretty obvious to you by then. UPS and FedEx will track it through the entire process.

It's too time consuming to deal with the average uninformed customer calling and asking when their package should arrive. They usually say "if you shipped it on Monday, it should be here by now, and it's not!" USPS is of no help. Even in the days before the internet, the retailer could call up UPS and ask to track the package.
 
Roadster62 said:
Go to the UPS and USPS websites and type in 50 pounds and the Flat Rate Box option to any Zip Code and see how badly UPS is screwing you.
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UPS and FedEx are still in business and making money without any of your tax dollars. The USPS has astronomical losses every year and is supported by your tax dollars.

Who's really screwing who here? :rolleyes:
 
I wished they had one big enough for shipping a Model A flywheel. Hopefully that will come in the future. Rod
 
The USPS Flat Rate Boxes are a real good deal, if your merchandise is heavy, or going a long distance. If your package is light or not going very far, you are, probably paying too much.
Alaska and Hawaii, being states, qualify, as any other state.
I sent a heavy package to Hawaii, once, and it arrived in three days. It must have caught a direct flight.
I like the Flat Rate Boxes.
MIKE :)
 
USPS does provide Tracking, here is today's example:

Package Services
Processed through USPS Sort Facility

February 14, 2012, 6:43 am FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003 Delivery Confirmation™ Missent

February 13, 2012, 11:19 am Out for Delivery

February 13, 2012, 9:12 am FEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 Sorting Complete

February 13, 2012, 9:02 am FEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 Arrival at Post Office

February 13, 2012, 4:16 am FEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility

February 11, 2012, 9:31 pm FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003 Accepted at USPS Origin Sort Facility

February 11, 2012, 8:16 pm FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003 Electronic Shipping Info

IT has been tracked around Federal Way for 5 days. This package started out with UPS on the 3rd of February, then UPS dropped it off at the Post Office.

No worries, I am going neither Far nor Fast. We love USPS Flat Rate Boxes here in Alaska, it's the only way to go if it will fit. I rarely do business with anyone if they will not ship USPS.
UPS and Fedex will take your money for any service you want, next day no problem - only thing is there is no next day delivery here in Fairbanks.

Darryl in Fairbanks
 
Book shipping rate is cheaper as that's the Post Office's contribution to help educate idiots.:D
When I screwed up, Chief would say, "Buy you books, send you to school, and you still STUPID.:eek:
At least, he didn't call me IDIOT.:D That's good, huh? Loved that man! Bill W.
 
Rowdy said:
I wished they had one big enough for shipping a Model A flywheel. Hopefully that will come in the future. Rod
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It wasn't a "Flat Rate" box, but I did have a flywheel/pressure plate shipped from Dallas to Anchorage last year. USPS cost was around $65 as opposed to UPS quote of close to $400. USPS only took 4 days, and I was able to track it.
 
My Brattons catalog arrived today and I looked at the first page piece by Walt. He has a new contract with UPS for a flat $11.50 for the first box and $6 for additional boxes. He also has SurePost for $8.50. It will add a few days and is limited to 5 pounds.

I was getting concerned by the rise in his shipping charges over the past few years. This looks like a good deal.

Vic
 
I wonder if the quoted shipping prices apply to that "foreign country" called Alaska? A lot of time when they say Continental US, they exclude Alaska, even though we are on the same continent, and are a part of the US.
 
azmodela: Only a govt agency that loses billions of dollars a year would pay managers bonuses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to mis-manage. That's one reason they're not making money, salarys and benefits is another.
Paul in CT
 
Some of you are mistaken in the belief that the Postal Service gets tax money. As a retired postal employee I can tell you that every dime they get comes from sales of postage and related items. No tax money is allowed to be given to them, they are self supportive by law and have been since the 1970s. The only thing that could be considered an advantage is that they do not have to pay for license plates on their vehicles and they are self insured.That is why they are losing money, they are not allowed to raise prices without an act of Congress, literately,yet get no support or subsidies.
 
28RPU said:
Some of you are mistaken in the belief that the Postal Service gets tax money.
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Well they do receive tax dollars into the "postal service fund" and more importantly, they have a multi-billion dollar line of credit with the US Treasury Dept. Should they default, who's on the hook for that?
 
azmodela said:
UPS and FedEx are still in business and making money without any of your tax dollars. The USPS has astronomical losses every year and is supported by your tax dollars.

Who's really screwing who here? :rolleyes:
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No tax dollars are used for the USPS.

The most profitable part of Fedex uses the USPS to deliver the package the last mile.e

One only has to go online to see what going on.
 
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