Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

Morgan Hughes81 said:Can someone tell me how many days it takes if I send something via certified mail versus sending a package?
So, let's say I drop off a package on Monday, and then separately, I send some stuff in a certified envelope. I'm trying to figure out how many days it'll actually take to get to the person receiving it. The USPS website says if you drop things off by a certain time, they ship them out the next day, so I'm wondering when it actually lands on their doorstep? Ugh, thanks, and sorry for being so extra with my questions, I just registered here and I'm still figuring things out.😁 😁🤷

Usually a few days. Honestly, it doesn't matter much which way you send it. I haven't noticed any difference in speed between certified mail and a package. Though, shipping a full package is getting pricey these days, so if it's under half a pound, you're better off just doing certified. A package is $6.00, whereas it used to be $4.25.

It shows up in your mailbox if you select the recommended option, but if you want it delivered right to your door, you’ll probably have to pay a bit extra for shipping. Otherwise, they just leave a slip in your box... 🙄

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can pick up some shipping bags? I’m looking for those specific poly mailers—the kind you usually get when you order a suit from a place like Men's Wearhouse or similar retailers. Is there actually a way to buy those separately? I checked with my local USPS office, but they really only seem to carry cardboard boxes.

ironsurfer10 said:I was wondering if there's any way to actually get my hands on those poly mailers? I mean the kind you see when an order from Neiman Marcus or something comes in—those slim bags instead of boxes. Can you even buy those somewhere? I checked with the USPS, but they really only seem to carry boxes and standard envelopes.

Just shop at ASOS😁 I always just use their bags. Or honestly, I'll grab some thicker ones from local boutiques. I don't think you can find them easily at the post office; they're pretty much strictly about boxes and envelopes.

That’s such a bummer... I was actually really looking forward to this. ;(

Does anyone happen to know the rates for shipping a package via USPS if the recipient picks it up at the post office instead—say, some sandals in a box, or maybe a t-shirt in a bubble mailer... Is that option actually cheaper than having it delivered right to the door? Does anyone have a ballpark figure on those costs?

Could someone please help me clarify how shipping works through the USPS, specifically regarding items sold on eBay? On this website
I see various options for international shipping like letters or packages, and while sending a letter is obviously the cheapest route, I am wondering if I could technically classify a t-shirt inside a large yellow padded envelope—weighing about 0.5 kg—as a letter rather than a package just to save some money since the price difference is so significant.

coastalwolf8 said:Can someone please walk me through how this works with USPS? I'm looking at shipping stuff on eBay, and when I go to the official site http://www.usps.com/shipping/main.aspx?id=194
I see all these options like letters, packages, etc. Obviously, a letter is the cheapest route, so if I shove a t-shirt into one of those big yellow padded envelopes—say, weighing about half a pound—can I just label it as a letter to save money instead of sending it as a package?

You can, provided it’s small enough to fit in an envelope, a mailer, or a tiny box—just make sure you send it via certified mail. Honestly though, I don't know if it's even worth the hassle of shipping internationally from here; USPS isn't exactly cheap.

Olivia Green46 said:you can definitely do that if the item is small enough to fit in an envelope, a small bag, or even a tiny box, provided you send it via certified mail, though I honestly am not sure if it would be worth your while to ship something internationally since our domestic postage rates are pretty steep.

I appreciate the response, because once I actually sit down and run the numbers, sending it as certified mail turns out to be significantly cheaper than shipping a full package, such as when you look at the cost for certified mail sent to Germany for something weighing between 250 and 500 grams which is only $20
compared to a standard half-kilogram package going to Germany which costs $40 !!

coastalwolf8 said:Thanks for the input, but honestly, once I run the numbers, sending something via certified mail ends up being way cheaper than a standard package. For instance, if I'm sending something weighing between 250 and 500 grams to Germany via certified mail, it costs $20
while a 0.5kg package to Germany goes for $40 !!

True, but shipping prices in this country are still an absolute rip-off... 👎

If you’ve got any questions about the USPS or how the whole mailing business works, I’m your guy. Just hit me up.🙂

Your local mailman,🙂

Emily Walker said:Does anyone know what the damage is if I just send a package via USPS and have the recipient pick it up at the post office themselves? Like, maybe some sandals in a box or a t-shirt in a bubble mailer. Is that actually cheaper than having it delivered right to their door? Does anyone have an idea about the pricing?

$1.75 It’s definitely cheaper under the new rates🙂

Morgan Hughes81 said:Can someone please tell me how many days it usually takes if I send something via certified mail versus sending a full package?
So, like, let's say I sent a package on Monday, and then separately, I sent some stuff in a certified envelope. I'm wondering how many days it'll actually take to reach the person I'm sending it to? The USPS website says if you drop things off by a certain time, they ship them out the next day, so I guess what I really want to know is when it'll actually show up at their house? Ugh, thanks, and sorry if I'm making this way more complicated than it needs to be, I just registered here so I'm still figuring everything out.😁 😁🤷

Hmm, okay, so here's the deal... let's keep it simple... basically, any shipments that hit the post office by, say, 1:00 PM will arrive at their destination the very next day (unless we're talking about remote islands or maybe some super rural areas out in the middle of nowhere). This especially applies to C.O.D. shipments, certified mail, and standard packages...

Olivia Green46 said:It usually takes just a few days, honestly... it doesn't really matter which method you choose. I haven't personally noticed any difference in speed between certified mail and a standard package arriving... but since shipping a package is getting so pricey these days, it probably makes more sense to stick with certified mail if what you're sending is under half a pound. A package used to be $6.00, but now it's closer to $4.25.

Oh, thanks! I just now realized what you wrote to me 🙂thanks so much 🙂

Does anyone happen to have those bank contact numbers handy? I remember seeing a list somewhere on the forum, but I totally failed to jot them down, and now I’m just spinning my wheels trying to track them back down... I think someone posted a breakdown of maybe 5 or 6 different banks earlier... specifically, I'm looking for the info for Chase 🙂

Morgan Hughes81 said:Can someone please list those bank phone numbers? I saw them posted on a forum somewhere, didn't write them down, and now I'm stuck spinning my wheels because I can't find them again. Did anyone actually post a list of 5 or 6 banks? Specifically, I need Chase Bank info. 🙂

Check out this incredibly helpful website: 😁
http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com/

....

And here:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/payments/index.htm 😉

Sarah Taylor53 said:There's this one pretty hilarious website 😁
http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com/

....

and then there's this:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/payments/index.htm 😉

Regarding that first link: 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Haha, those little emoticons are just too much, I can't help myself...

As for the second link: 👍🙂😘

Does anyone happen to have the contact number for package redelivery on hand, Branimirov? Thanks.

Just wondering if I can peek inside a package once it hits the local USPS office before I actually sign for it (like, right there at the counter)?
If that’s allowed—how much "looking" am I permitted? Just a quick glance, or can I actually power on a device to make sure everything works properly??
Does it need to be in a special box or have some kind of specific label on it for that to happen??

Walter Thompson92 said:I want to know if I can inspect the contents of a package once it arrives at the post office before I actually take delivery (right there in front of the mail carrier, no problem)?
If it is allowed—how much am I permitted to "see"? Am I just looking, or can I power on a device to verify it works??
Does it need to be in a special box or clearly marked or what??

Let me be brief and blunt one more time (even though this question has been answered a million times already 😉)—NO.

It is quite simply a risk you have to accept when shopping online. And yes—unfortunately, someone could send you a literal brick, and you wouldn't be able to prove later that they didn't send the actual device (assuming that's what you were implying).