Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

Elizabeth Howard45 said:Quick question... does anyone know how much it costs to send a certified letter (super light weight) from the US over to Canada? I honestly can't even guess at this point—if anyone's sent something recently, I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know. Thanks!

A certified letter under 50 grams to Canada is about $10, I think it's exactly 26...

Robin Sanders3 said:A standard letter under 50 grams sent via certified mail to Canada should cost about $10, I believe it's exactly 26 cents...

That’s awesome! Thanks so much!😉

I don't know what's going on with the local USPS branch, but I tried sending a certified letter/package in one of those yellow padded envelopes (aiming to pay $14.40) and the woman behind the counter just looked at me like I was $8.25 😲
So now I've been sending everything via certified mail lately, paying somewhere between $14.20 and $14.40 per piece $7.00....

🤔

Sending a certified letter isn't the same as shipping a package. How exactly did you tell her?
Certified mail costs more, I think $8.25.
Packages follow that rule where up to 5lbs is $5.00
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Maybe she thought you meant to send it as certified mail?
That’s why whenever I’m filling out those forms at the UPS Store, I always circle "package." That way, if she "accidentally" messes up, I can shove the receipt right in her face 😬
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(Once my boyfriend sent a package for me and told her it was a certified package, but she charged him for a letter instead, and it ended up being $3.25 more. And she wouldn't even peel the sticker off. Whatever. Ever since then, I just circle "package" ☕)

I've only ever sent stuff in those oversized mailers, never actual boxes. Can someone break this down for me? 😁 If I grab a box of my own—maybe an old shoe box—can I just show up at the UPS Store and have them handle the vase and the labeling?

lonetrucker20 said:I haven't really sent anything in a box before, just used those big padded envelopes. Can someone walk me through this? 😁 Like, can I just grab a shoe box from home, show up at the USPS, and they'll handle taping the vase and everything?

😕
Hell no. Who do you think is gonna do your job for you? 😬
Pack it yourself. If the box looks messy or colorful, wrap it in plain white paper first. Just write the recipient's info and your own return address clearly on the box.
And make sure you use plenty of tape—check those edges to ensure they're sealed tight. 😉

Sometimes I just don't feel like putting in the effort, so I play dumb.🙂

I lost track of how many times I forgot, so they totally chewed me out there 😳 😬

So...

I need to ship a package to a small town out in the Midwest—it’s about 65 lbs—and I don't really know the drill. If anyone could give me a quick rundown on how to handle this without making a mess of things, I’d really appreciate it. 👍

I’ve sent about five packages (plus another 15 individual shipments) through the USPS before, and I’ve never once been told they needed to be wrapped in paper. But this last time, the clerk at the post office tells me it’s mandatory because someone might stick a finger in the box and see what’s inside, which isn't allowed. I pointed out that the box is white, fully taped, sealed tight, and it's just a pair of sneakers—there's no way anyone is getting in there. She basically offered to do it for me for $1.75. I just said, "No thanks, I'll come back another time."

Just on principle.

Hi everyone..
I have a quick question for the group—if anyone can lend a hand. It’s regarding international shipping. I have quite a few questions piled up, so if there's anyone here with plenty of experience in this area, please shoot me a DM. I might end up bugging you with a few details 🙂 thanks so much!

I’ve got a question for you guys! Did USPS hike their rates through the roof without actually announcing it to anyone, or what is going on?
I’m paying $10 just for a basic little envelope weighing maybe 200-300 grams! That was when I was shipping some sneakers $17! Everyone I talk to is complaining that shipping costs are hitting $10-$5.00! Like, seriously, how does that even work?

Today, I’m sending out a package with COD (cash on delivery), and since they’ve burned me a couple of times already—telling me it would arrive by 10 AM the very next day (which is the most expensive tier)—I made sure to tell them I want the recipient to pay as little as possible. I suggested around $15-$6.75 so she doesn't get overcharged, but the woman just tells me that because it’s a COD shipment, it’s already added $6.75! 😕

What are you all averaging for shipping costs lately?

ironwolf52 said:I’ve got a question! Did USPS hike their prices through the roof without actually telling anyone?
I’m paying a fortune just for a basic little envelope weighing maybe 200-300 grams $10! Like when I was shipping those sneakers $17! Everyone keeps complaining that shipping is costing them at least 10-$5.00! Seriously, what kind of scam is this?

Today I’m sending out a package with COD, and since they’ve played games with me before—claiming it’ll arrive by 10 AM the next day (which is the most expensive tier)—I made sure to mention I want my friend to pay as little as possible. I suggested around 15-$6.75 so she doesn't get overcharged, but the lady behind the counter just tells me that because it’s a COD shipment, it’s already $6.75! 😕

What are you guys usually getting charged for shipping?

People have mentioned this before, about how you need to fill out that specific form for insured packages but make sure to emphasize it's being sent as a standard parcel. I always pack stuff up myself in whatever size box I have lying around, wrap it in paper, and clearly state it's a package. The value inside is usually around 50-$33 and it always ends up costing me $4.75 (though once I paid about $6.00 because the value was closer to $67).
Oh, and usually, the package shows up in 2 or 3 days.

What happens if my package goes missing?

I sent out a registered letter—with return receipt and expedited shipping—just a tiny envelope, barely 50 grams. It’s been 11 days and it still hasn't reached its destination, which is only about 200 miles away. Can I take my proof of mailing down to the local USPS office and have them actually track it down and return it to me?

I'm aware I can file a formal claim (which costs $5.00) and potentially get five times the postage back—but honestly, that's cold comfort when what might be lost is worth fifty times more than the shipping fee itself! 🙂

Nicholas Turner said:What happens if my package never shows up?

I sent off a registered letter via USPS Priority Mail with a return receipt. It was just a small envelope, barely 50 grams. Even though the recipient is only about 200 miles away, it hasn’t arrived after eleven days. Can I actually walk into a Post Office with my tracking info and demand they hunt down this specific shipment and bring it back to me?

I'm aware I can file a claim—paying that extra fee $5.00—and potentially get reimbursed five times the postage cost, but what good is that little consolation when the contents might be fifty times more valuable than the shipping itself?🙂

You absolutely need to go to the Post Office. Honestly, it should have been there by now. Though, I'm not entirely certain if that "14 business days" rule applies even to something like this—you know, the window from when you mailed it to when it's officially considered late.

Your local branch could call the destination facility where you dropped it off to see if anything like that was even scanned in or if it's just sitting in some bin somewhere. Then again, if it had actually been processed, wouldn't you have received some kind of confirmation or update by now?🤷

I put this right in my profile bio—a customer service rep at the USPS told me they were responsible for getting the package to the recipient, only to call me up and say, "The recipient wasn't home, the mail carrier left a slip; since they didn't pick it up within five days, we sent it back to you yesterday." 😁 Happy ending, I guess—though the recipient can just go jump in a lake for all I care. 😠 Then she has the nerve to tell me it's not her fault—as if she's some kind of saint—and says it’s basically like trying to hand a gift to a stubborn mule!

Hey girls, does anyone know what exactly I need to plug into the USPS website to track my package online?

Got a quick question here😁So, I was at the UPS store earlier with my little girl, just sending off a package as a standard shipment. $5.75 Everything went fine, but since she started having a meltdown, I totally blanked on declaring the value... you know, $33 just so I could get my money back if the thing actually goes missing. What happens if they lose it or something?

Here’s my question too 😁

So, I walk into the USPS, fill out the little white slip, and make it super clear—I'm sending this as a STANDARD PACKAGE, not certified mail—but then they tell me it's going to cost $5.00? It's weird because I usually send everything via certified mail and the shipping is usually around $3.25, but as soon as there's something heavy inside, like a pair of jeans, the price jumps straight to $6.75. Does this mean if I just stick to standard packages, it'll always be $5.00? Just making sure I've got this right. 🤷

Yeah, just like any regular package. Mne was telling me today that some lady mentioned they bumped up the prices, so now it's $5.75. I ended up paying $1.25 for the envelope, even though it used to be 2.60
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