Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

Nicole Lee4 said:their delivery supervisor, though apparently they aren't obligated to handle standard or certified mail weighing more than a single pound.

Well, this definitely wasn't over a pound.
So, what's the plan then? Should I just go ask the clerk at the USPS counter to summon their supervisor for me?

Another letter hasn't shown up yet. 🙂 Does the USPS actually return regular mail to the sender if it can't be delivered? If they do, it’s weird that it hasn't happened to me once. They just seem to vanish into the void indefinitely 😕...

Zachary Peterson6 said:you should really use more tape, it would help😉

Honestly, that’s so true—especially when you're using those bubble mailers. Please, just use extra tape!
I swear, half of them arrive already ripped open (personally, I've had two happen to me)

Melissa Thompson9 said:I don't get how their shipping works. I sent out a package weighing about 400 grams and another one at 108g, and for both, I paid the exact same $6.75 shipping fee, even though the second one was
three times lighter...

The package won't even go out for delivery if they don't have a scheduled route (not all USPS branches offer that service unfortunately)

Angela Phillips21 said:Well, this definitely wasn't heavier than 1 lb.
Should I ask the supervisor at the counter then?

Definitely. And if you can, bring the notice and the envelope with you (the contents don't matter, the weight will be printed right on the postage stamp)
that way you actually have some leverage to argue your case.

I need some serious help here—is there any way to file a claim for a package if I lost the receipt?
I’ve got all the tracking info and the shipping date, but that little slip of paper basically vanished into thin air. The customer’s been waiting over a week now... usually, my shipments go out via FedEx or UPS and arrive in a day or two, but I always seem to have this one run of bad luck with the paperwork when things actually go sideways.😢🙂

Donna Chase12 said:I need help, fast—is there any way to file a claim if I lost my receipt?
I have all the info and the shipping date, but the receipt basically vanished into thin air. The package hasn't reached the customer in over a week... I have all my other paperwork, and usually, everything arrives in a day or two. Just my luck, I guess.😢🙂

Just head back to where you dropped it off and give them those details. They should be able to pull up the tracking number since they keep their own records too. Hopefully, they still have it logged if it's been two weeks; after that, you can just start the formal claim process anyway. Good luck. 🙂

So, I swung by their office today and they told me they can actually look up package info since they keep copies on file—but if you’re dealing with a certified mail delivery? Yeah, you're pretty much out of luck there... just figured I'd let everyone else know in case you run into the same headache.

Melissa Morgan77, it’s only been a week for me, but honestly, I like to be prepared just in case things don't show up within that two-week window... It'll be interesting to see what happens if the package gets sent back to the sender, because that's happened to me exactly twice when stuff didn't arrive on time. And the worst part? They send them back marked "unclaimed," even though the girls had already checked with the local USPS office at least two or three times while waiting for it to show up.😠

Donna Chase12 said:So, I swung by their office today and they told me they can actually look up package info since they keep copies on file. As for certified mail, though? Not much they can do there... just thought I'd share in case anyone else runs into this mess.

Melissa Morgan77, it’s only been a week for me, but I’m already prepping for the possibility that it doesn't show up within the two-week window. Honestly, the most interesting part would be if the package gets sent back to the sender. That's happened to me twice before when things didn't arrive—and the worst part was getting them returned with those labels saying "nobody showed up," even though the girls had checked with the USPS at least two or three times while waiting.😠

ugh 😢 I don't even know what to tell you.🤷 You mentioned it was a standard package and not certified mail, and I know you can still track those even if you lose the receipt.
As for the rest of what you wrote, I'm a little lost on the details, but if this keeps happening, you might as well file a complaint with the post office. Nothing to lose.

I've got a question... yesterday some lady from an agency called my wife and told her she "won" a pair of magnetic bracelets—said they’d be arriving in a few days if she just covers the shipping costs $33! I straight up told her there's no way in hell we're paying $33 for total junk. So, what happens if someone shows up at the door—whether it's USPS, FedEx, UPS, or whoever else—is she actually obligated to pay for it and take it, or should she just not open the door at all?

She isn't obligated to take on anything she doesn't want to🙂
I mean, if she just tells them she’s refusing to accept it, then the whole thing just goes right back to where it started. Honestly, it shouldn't be an issue at all, I guess.

Got my delivery notice today saying the pickup window started on October 25th and I only had five days to grab it! 🙂 But get this—the notice says it was delivered on the 26th. Total nonsense. It claims it’s just a letter and doesn't even list a tracking number, but when I actually showed up at the USPS office, it turns out to be a full-on package. I ended up having to pay storage fees, $70 a day, so basically $1.25. How does a five-day window trigger storage fees? And don't they exclude weekends? Does the fee start on the 25th or what? 😕 Can someone tell me if this lady calculated the math right? 🤷 I have the receipt here.

I lost my cool a little, and they told me that if I really think a notice from the 25th didn't show up until November 3rd, I can verbally file a complaint with my local postmaster during the shift manager's hours. 🙄 It wasn't just one silly mistake, $1.00 more like four separate screw-ups by the post office. 🙂 And honestly, the only thing that complaint accomplishes—besides forcing me to drag myself back there tomorrow morning just to catch the manager—is potentially getting my supervisor to cover the fee $1.00 if they were late with the notification. 🤣

By the way, the package arrived in absolutely catastrophic shape. I actually have a witness who was standing right there with me when I picked it up. It was crushed, like someone decided to use it as a footstool; all the corners were smashed and it split open on at least two sides, with the contents practically spilling out. 😲 Luckily, everything inside stayed intact. Is that something worth complaining about too? I've got photos. 😉 I couldn't exactly pull a scene and demand the manager right when I received it.
This is the third time this month I've dealt with USPS issues. There were two other incidents, but I'd rather not even go there.☕

Anyone know how I can ship a mattress????
Not sure if HP handles packages that big... anyone here have any idea?

It’s best via FedEx, they'll accept it.

Nicole Lee4 said:Once the package is scanned in, there’s a label on it showing the weight—it's also listed on the receipt.
If you're suspicious, just ask them to weigh it right then and there. If stuff is missing, the weight will show it.
Honestly, I'm not sure what else to tell you. There isn't much you can do at this stage; you have to act immediately.
But the girl who received it should go file a formal complaint. They are required to take the report. She probably won't get any compensation since she didn't flag it instantly, but maybe they'll catch the thieves who are clearly stealing from the shipments.

Again...🙂 I just had someone message me saying three items were missing!!! How are you even supposed to notice that? Packages arrive looking like they've been tossed around a dumpster; apparently, this keeps happening with people buying through Craigslist.🙄

@Chloe Moore65/">@@Chloe Moore65 how did you handle it? I sent her everything. So what now? What's the point of a complaint if there's no payout?😕 Yeah, sure, I'm sure they'll catch the bad guys...

So, when I ship something, should I state the weight (I don't even trust the labels anymore), and then tell the recipient to demand a re-weigh upon arrival? If it's lighter, does that automatically trigger a claim?

Melissa Morgan77 said:Seriously...🙂 I just had a customer reach out saying three items were missing from her order!!! How is that even possible to notice right away?! These packages are being tossed around like footballs during a championship game; apparently, girls on Craigslist are reporting this constantly.🙄

@Chloe Moore65/">@@Chloe Moore65 how did you handle that? I already sent her everything she asked for. What's the point of a complaint if there wasn't actually any loss?😕 Yeah, I'm sure they'll catch onto that...

So what, when I ship it, I should state the weight (since I don't trust the labels anymore), and then when she receives it, she demands to weigh it again? If it's lighter, then obviously it's a loss?

Oh, this is just plain nasty. Honestly, you can rely on the label. But before you hand it over, maybe ask the woman to double-check the weight right there.
And report it!
If everyone reports these things, they'll eventually figure it out.

Hey. Does anyone know if there's any way to do a package swap through the USPS? Like, I send someone my stuff, but they can't actually receive it until they send something back to me first? Basically a trade-only setup.

Quick question 🙂
I ordered a package from China, and after what felt like an eternity, it finally landed here in New York City—only for me to get a notification saying the package arrived without an invoice!?!
Now I’m stuck having to show up in person at the main Post Office to pick it up, and they’re demanding I show proof of purchase from PayPal. Here’s the catch: I don't actually have access to that PayPal account because a friend of mine handled the order for me, and she’s going to be off the grid for a few days. Is there any way to pull up the digital receipt on their website, or am I totally stuck? Also, does anyone know how long they’ll hold onto it before it gets shipped right back to China?
thanks

Has anyone ever actually heard of someone sending a package via HP Express, only for the recipient to then send the whole thing back by paying the exact same shipping fee that was originally charged?! I mean, seriously—I’ve heard of cash on delivery, but I have never once heard of an HP Express setup functioning quite like that. Could someone please point me in the right direction and explain how this even works? And more importantly, is a transaction like that even secure?

You can actually use the C.O.D. option with HP Express too, if you want to go that route. You just have to check the box for "cash on delivery" on the HP Express form and write in the specific amount you're looking for—oh, and don't forget to mark that the recipient is covering the shipping costs. I guess you'll also need to fill out that yellow C.O.D. slip to make it official.

I’m looking to send a few small items as gifts to whoever reaches out—nothing fancy, just a standard envelope. What are my options if I want the recipient to cover the shipping costs?
From what I’ve gathered, I could use FedEx, but according to their rate sheet, even the cheapest shipment starts at $9.75?!

My niece wants to mail me a dress from Vienna—nothing too heavy, maybe half a kilo or less. Does anyone have a ballpark idea of what the shipping should cost?