Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

Question:
Does the USPS take a percentage cut from COD shipments? I was under the impression that the recipient would simply pay exactly what I specified on the package for the cash on delivery, but it seems there's an additional fee being skimmed off by the postal service!

It isn't working. Where on earth did they get that from?

Well, look, I was actually notified by the folks who received their deliveries about why they ended up being charged significantly more than what we originally agreed upon. It’s quite frustrating because I clearly marked everything as $100 on the label and throughout the documentation, yet somehow the final cost still ballooned. I remember reaching out to the USPS a few years back to get some clarity on this exact issue, and they essentially told me that they tack on an additional percentage fee to cover the COD processing costs...?!?!?!

Take it, guys, just take it. You're looking at 3.66 percent if you go with a money order, or maybe as low as 8-$3.00... or 1.83 percent if you use a standard check, minimum around $1.75
.

Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue what's going on. This is actually the very first time I've ever sent anything out requiring a COD payment, and it's been sitting in limbo since January 17th. I still haven't seen a dime, nor do I even know if the package actually reached its destination. I did ask the person to please just give me a heads-up once the item arrives, but you know how people can be 🤣
. I actually swung by the FedEx office just yesterday with the receipt they gave me, and they’re claiming that it was supposedly delivered back on Friday, January 26th. I guess I'll try to stay patient through the end of this week, but if things aren't sorted out by then, I am definitely going to start making some noise and chasing this down everywhere I can. 😠

Just www.usps.com, plug in your tracking number, and you can see everything clearly enough.

I don't know... no matter which number I type in from the paperwork, nothing shows up on my end.

Has anyone here actually dealt with FedEx delivering directly to a home address before?

I’m sending a package off to a company that’s handling all the shipping costs, but I’m a bit stuck on what the actual protocol is for packing things up properly.

I’ve got the shipment tucked into a padded mailer I picked up at the post office. I was wondering if there’s anything else I should have done while I was standing there—like getting a specific label or some other formality?

The company is footing the bill for the delivery, so my part is really just waiting for the driver to show up and handing the thing over.

Absolutely nothing—just pack it up and wait.

Question. My package was sent out on Monday, and I received a tracking number. Yesterday morning at 7:00, it stated the shipment was being prepared for delivery, but by 5:00 PM, the status updated to a failed delivery attempt. I was home all day; no one rang the bell, and no notice was left. Now, the tracking number shows nothing at all. Should I head to the FedEx office? This is a first for me.

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Maria Kern71 said:Quick question. My package was sent out Monday and I got the tracking number. Yesterday morning at 7:00 AM, it said it was being prepared for delivery, then by 5:00 PM, it claimed there was a delivery attempt. Problem is, I was sitting right here at home the whole time—nobody rang the bell, no one knocked, and there wasn't even a slip left in the mailbox. Now, today, the tracking number isn't showing anything at all. Should I just head down to the FedEx office? This kind of thing has never happened to me before.

to the post office

Hey everyone, does anyone happen to know when the USPS in Washington, D.C. holds its annual public auction? I've been curious about where they actually post the notices and where the whole thing takes place. Has anyone here ever actually gone to one? I'm wondering if it's actually worth the hassle or if it's just a bunch of hype!

What’s actually the difference between standard
shipping package
versus sending something via certified mail?
I mean, if I’m looking at a small parcel weighing somewhere between 100 and 300 grams, or even something a bit beefier around the 1kg mark, does the distinction really matter?
Also, when I am filling out a receipt of delivery, am I strictly required to specify whether it was a standard shipment or a certified one?
Or are these just considered optional add-ons? My main goal here is simply to find the most cost-effective route because, frankly, all I truly care about is having that official confirmation that my package is actually on its way.
And while I have your attention, I have one more question regarding COD—if someone receives a package that requires payment upon delivery, is there any legal way for them to open the box first to verify the contents match what they ordered before they hand over the cash?

Look, you’ve got limits on both certified mail and parcel shipping—you can move a mountain of stuff either way. The real difference isn't the weight, it's the paperwork. Plus, with parcels, they aren't just going to drop it at your doorstep; it goes to the local post office unless you pay extra for home delivery, otherwise, they'll try to collect payment from $1.75the recipient at the door.
Since the price hike, anything from 251g up to 500g is actually cheaper via $6.25certified mail rather than $6.00parcel service. Once you cross that 500g mark, the gap is $1.50. If you're obsessed with having a paper trail, just send anything over 500g as a parcel.

I have a quick question for those of you who have more experience than I do when it comes to shipping things around the US lately—what’s the absolute cheapest way to send out an item and handle COD (cash on delivery) for something I’m selling on eBay for a symbolic $3.25?
It’s actually a food product, and I haven't quite figured out the best way to package it yet (think Kombucha, maybe some Japanese crystals?), but the little package will definitely be under half a pound, whether it's a small jar or a sealed pouch... I'm still debating the packaging side of things, honestly! I just want to make sure it's as budget-friendly as possible for my buyers, while also making sure I don't end up losing money on the packaging costs myself, you know?

I have a question regarding these "Basic Add-on Services" and this "PLUS" option... what exactly are we looking at here?
The website states:
PLUS
If you want your shipment to move through the postal system more quickly, please request the PLUS add-on service.

But what is the actual deadline? When are they supposed to deliver it? The folks at the local post office told me it would be sent out by the next business day... well, I sent my package on Friday and it’s Monday now, and it still hasn't reached the recipient, even though the destination is just San Diego! It was supposed to arrive today... the website is totally vague about any specifics, so I have to wonder, do they actually offer refunds if they fail to meet that next-business-day delivery promise or what?
And this part is really throwing me for a loop:

March 26, 2018, 06:55:55 AM, USA, 21200 San Diego, Shipment being prepared for delivery
March 26, 2018, 02:55:28 PM, USA, 21200 San Diego, Delivery attempt made: Available for pickup/delivery at post office
March 26, 2018, 08:12:52 PM, USA, 21200 San Diego, Shipment being prepared for delivery to the Police Department

Carl Sullivan22 said:So, what’s the deal with these "Basic Add-on Services" versus the "PLUS" services? Like, what does that actually mean in practice?
The website claims:
PLUS
If you want your shipment to move through the mail faster, just request the PLUS add-on service.

But where’s the fine print? What’s the actual deadline? When are they supposed to deliver it? I went to the local Post Office and they told me it would go out by the next business day... I sent my package on Friday and it’s Monday now and it still hasn't reached the recipient—and I'm sending this to San Diego! It was supposed to be there today... The website doesn't say anything specific. Do they even offer refunds if they miss that next-day delivery window or what?
And this part is tripping me out too:

Three business days.