Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

I'm expecting a package via COD (cash on delivery $50 plus shipping), and there's a calculator on the FedEx website where I can run the numbers for the total cost.
So, here’s the breakdown—package is under 2kg, it's a COD shipment, the value is $50, and it's just domestic shipping within the US.
Shipping is $10.
Add the COD fee to that, and you get $60.
Is there anything else I should be looking out for—any hidden fees or extra costs?

I’ve never actually used a cash-on-delivery service before, so I have a few questions about how it all works. I guess I'm just a little unclear on the specifics of the process.

I am currently considering purchasing a new smartphone, likely in the range of... $667 The seller was suggesting that they ship the device to me via cash on delivery, with the package traveling from Honolulu all the way to Washington, D.C.

I was wondering if anyone could walk me through how to actually calculate the total cost for a package like that? I'm trying to get a better sense of what the final price tag might look like. $667 I suppose we should also take into account any additional costs that might crop up along the way. It’s easy to overlook those little extra fees, but they can certainly add up if you aren't careful.
Is it possible to verify the contents of a package—specifically a cell phone—before actually signing for it?
If you find yourself in a situation where a device turns out to be faulty—or worse, if you feel like the seller wasn't being honest with you from the start—do you actually have any legal recourse? I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I suppose it really depends on the specifics of the transaction, but generally speaking, there should be some level of protection in place. In the US, we have consumer protection laws designed specifically to prevent these kinds of scenarios. If a product is misrepresented or simply doesn't work as advertised, you aren't just stuck with it. Most major retailers have strict return policies, and depending on how the sale was handled, you might even have rights under state consumer protection statutes or through your credit card company's dispute process. It might be worth looking into the specific terms of your receipt or checking the merchant's policy first. If that doesn't yield anything, maybe reaching out to the Better Business Bureau could provide some guidance. It’s a frustrating position to be in, but I imagine there are several avenues available to help make things right.

Anyone got a ballpark idea of what it costs to ship a small package—like maybe 200 grams—over to the USA or the United Kingdom?

Mark Kim11 said:I’ve never actually used Cash on Delivery before, so I have a few questions about how it works.

I’m planning on buying a phone worth $667, and the seller would be shipping the device (the package) to me via COD—shipping from Honolulu to Washington, D.C.

How can I calculate what the total cost should be for a package like this—$667 plus X in shipping fees?
Also, is there any way to verify the contents of the package (the phone) before I officially accept it?
And if the device turns out to be broken—say, if the seller scammed me—do I have any kind of protection?

The final shipping price depends on several different variables...
If the package is sent via FedEx and includes a COD amount, the shipping fee will be significantly higher...
One factor that drives up the cost is the declared value of the package itself... packages valued under $33 fall under the lowest rate... once you go over $33, the shipping fee increases (I'm not entirely sure if they use specific weight classes, so you might want to double-check with the post office)...
Additionally, the delivery timeframe plays a role—you can request 24-hour expedited shipping, though that obviously adds to the cost...

From what I understand, the most cost-effective way to handle this is to have the sender pay the shipping upfront and simply increase the COD amount to cover it... in that scenario, the package doesn't necessarily need to go through FedEx, which ends up being much cheaper in the long run...

While the sender is the one who determines the declared value, I'm not certain anyone verifies the actual value—and regardless, nobody at the post office is going to check whether the phone actually works or not...

However, I believe there might be an option where, when the mail carrier arrives with the package, you can ask to open it right there in front of them to inspect the contents (and perhaps even test the device). If what's inside isn't what you ordered, you just refuse the delivery... It wouldn't hurt to ask your local mail carrier or someone at your local post office about this possibility; I think this wasn't allowed until recently, so it’s definitely worth verifying...

If that option truly exists, your best and cheapest bet would be to arrange with the seller so that they pay the shipping on top of the $667 price and add that amount to the COD total... if they pay $17 for shipping, the total COD amount would be $683... if everything looks good, he gets his money back along with what he spent on shipping; but if you open the box and find a brick, you simply refuse the package and send it back at no cost to you... he gets his brick back but loses out on the $17, and you can just move on to a different seller...

Mark Taylor3 said:I've got a package coming via COD (cash on delivery $50 plus shipping), and I used the USPS website to estimate the total cost.
So, it's a package under 2kg, there's the COD amount, the declared value is $50, and it's domestic shipping.
Shipping comes out to $10.
Add the COD amount, and we're at $60.
Are there any other sneaky fees I should look out for?

Yeah, you also have to account for an extra $3.00 on top of that.
That's the fee just for processing the cash on delivery payment.

Mark Kim11 said:I’ve never actually used cash on delivery before, so I’m a little fuzzy on how the whole process works.

I'm planning on picking up a phone worth about $667, and the seller wants to ship the device (the package) via COD, traveling from Honolulu to Washington, D.C.

How do I figure out what the total cost for a package like this would be, $667 plus extra fees?
Also, is there any way to verify that the contents of the package (the phone) are legit before I hand over the money?
And if the device turns out to be broken—say, if the seller scammed me—do I have any kind of protection?

Honestly? You don't.
The postal service will only step in if they, for example, deliver a literal brick instead of a phone.
Everything else is strictly a matter between you and the sender.

P.S. Like someone else mentioned earlier, make sure you open that package immediately. Do it right in front of the FedEx driver, or head down to the post office to open it there if that's where you pick it up.

Hey there,

I’ve got a quick question about how shipping works. I live with some people who—honestly—can't help themselves when it comes to tearing open packages, no matter whose name is actually on the box. Because of that, I was wondering if it's possible to have my deliveries sent directly to a local Post Office instead? Ideally, I'd love to get one of those official missed delivery slips left at the door so I can go pick it up myself—even if someone happens to be home. It seems like mail carriers don't always follow the rules here, and anyone in the house thinks they can just sign for anyone else's stuff.

I'm planning to order a gift for one of them, but it won't really be much of a surprise if they get their hands on it before I do! 😁

Frank Chase6 said:Hey,

I have a question about shipping methods. I live with roommates who tear open packages regardless of whose name is on them, so I'm wondering if it's possible to have mail sent to a local post office instead? I want to get that notification slip or some similar method where they don't just leave it at the door. Even if someone is home, mail rules aren't always followed here, and anyone can sign for anyone else's stuff.

I want to order a gift for one of them, but it won't be much of a surprise if they grab it before I do.😁

There is a "General Delivery" option through the USPS where you don't get a home notification at all.

Just coordinate with the seller to send the package to your local post office using an address format like this, and have them let you know once it's shipped:

Full Name
GENERAL DELIVERY
Zip Code and City

For example:
John Doe
GENERAL DELIVERY
10001 Washington, D.C.

The package usually arrives at the post office within 2-3 business days.
Go down to the station and ask if there's a package under your name for General Delivery, and that's it.
All General Delivery packages go to the main local branch, so you just need to know which one serves your area.
You have 30 days to pick it up.

I have a few lingering questions regarding shipping—if anyone might be able to shed some light, I’d certainly appreciate it..
Basically, if I'm using one of those yellow padded mailers, do I actually need to tie the whole thing up with string? Or is it enough to just write the address clearly on the envelope and secure it with some packing tape? Also, once I get to the USPS counter, do I need to specify that I want this sent as a certified package, or does it just fall under the category of a certified letter?
On a separate note regarding the payment—is it standard practice for the recipient to ask for my full name and mailing address in addition to my account number?
I'm a bit out of my element here since this is my first time handling something like this, so I'm feeling a little unsure... thanks in advance.

Emily Fisher23 said:There’s actually an option through the USPS called General Delivery where they won't even bother sending a notification to your house.

You just coordinate with the seller so they ship the package to your local post office using an address format like this—and make sure they let you know once it's actually sent:

Full Name
General Delivery
Zip Code and City

For example:
Pero Perić
General Delivery
Washington, D.C. 20001

The package usually shows up at the post office after about 2-3 business days.
Then you just head down there, ask if there's anything under your name for General Delivery, and that's pretty much it.
All General Delivery items go to the main regional post office, so you just need to figure out which one serves your area.
Just keep in mind you've got 30 days to pick it up before they move it along.

Alright, thanks! Fingers crossed our crazy mail carriers don't try to deliver it straight to my door anyway 🙂

analogskipper4 said:I’ve got some questions about shipping stuff, so if anyone can help me out..
Basically, I'm wondering if I'm sending something in this yellow envelope, should I tie it up with some string or just write the address on the envelope and seal it with tape...and when I take it to the USPS, do I have to tell them I'm sending it as a certified package, or does it count as a certified letter....
And regarding the payment, is it normal for the person I'm sending it to to ask for their name, last name, and address in addition to the account number?...
I don't know, it's my first time doing this so I'm a bit confused...thanks

If you're using an envelope, you don't need string. You only really use string on packages to make them easier to carry.

When you get to the post office, you just have to specify whether you want standard or certified shipping.

And that third thing is totally normal: they need your name to process the payment.

Olivia Green46 said:If you're just using a standard envelope, there's really no need for twine—that's more for packages where you might want some extra handle space to carry them easier.

When you get to the USPS counter, you’ll just need to specify whether you want standard or certified mail.

And this third point is pretty standard procedure too: they're going to need your full name to process the payment.

thanks 🙂

What’s the best way to handle things when we're talking about larger items?

Like a heavy-duty metal locker, for instance?

I don't have time to read through everything, but I need some advice. I mailed a book to a gentleman via USPS, but he ended up receiving some woman's cosmetics instead. I stopped by a local CVS to ask about it, and the clerk mentioned they strip the labels at the main distribution center, re-enter everything into the system, and slap on new ones—so there was likely a mix-up during processing. I gave him a tracking number the lady at the counter provided, but nobody is picking up when I call it... any ideas on what I should do next?

Greetings. I have a question... A package was sent to me from San Francisco about a week ago, which is standard procedure... yet it still hasn't arrived.
Has anyone else dealt with similar delays lately?

No tracking number? Did they leave a slip, or did you just drop it off blindly?
If there's no tracking, it’s likely gone missing or was swiped.
If you actually have tracking, anything could happen. Maybe the mail carrier just forgot to leave the pickup notice. Check with your local USPS office first to see if anything arrived.

I know this thread is supposed to be about the postal service, but I honestly can't think of anywhere else where I could vent a little and give everyone else a heads-up.

So, basically, a woman sent me a package through Penguin Random House about ten days ago, and when I checked their online tracker this past Monday, it showed that the package had arrived at its destination—which was supposed to be my local newsstand.
But here’s the thing: I’ve been stopping by that same shop every single day since Monday, and there is absolutely no sign of my package. The clerks there just shrug their shoulders at me like they have no clue.
On the Penguin Random House website, it says I have to contact them exclusively via written inquiry, so that's exactly what I did.
Now, it seems like three of their employees are just passing my email around in a circle—first Marko Karačić, then Tomislav Bujanić, and finally Jadranka Jović. Despite sending a formal written request asking for advice on what to do or how to actually track down my stuff, I haven't received a single word back from any of them. 🤷

It’s just so irresponsible! It feels completely unprofessional, if not outright negligent... 👎👎👎

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of nonsense from them?

So, I guess I should probably give a little update regarding that package of mine.
It turns out the parcel finally turned up after what felt like an absolute eternity, and it turns out the woman who sent it had actually swapped the sender and recipient info by mistake.
To be honest, it’s pretty much impossible to get anyone at The New York Times to actually reply to an email, and they certainly don't bother picking up the phone, plus the staff over at the local CVS weren't really prepared to deal with any of this chaos, though I suppose I should say thanks to them because they did actually call me once they finally tracked the thing down.

Hey... anyone know how long a package sent from a small town in the Midwest to Chicago usually takes? It was shipped out on Wednesday...

Kevin Myers7 said:Hey, can someone tell me how long a package takes to get from a small town in Ohio to Chicago? It was shipped on Wednesday.

If it hasn't arrived by now, it'll be there Monday.