Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

It feels like forever since I last sent out a package, so I was just browsing through the shipping rates over at HP.
Is it just me, or have the prices actually gone down? 🤔
Last time I checked, sending a package up to 5 lbs to another state would cost me $10, but looking at it now, it seems like it might only be $4.25???

I mean, does anything in this country ever actually get cheaper?
I need to give my local mail carrier a call, but I'm not entirely sure which rate to ask about anymore. Is it $4.25 for a package under 5 lbs with a value up to $33, and will I still get that printed receipt confirming it was sent?

It used to be $5.00, but now it’s 8/13 for $27 and weighs up to 11 lbs

It’s actually gotten so much cheaper 🙏. I remember when I used to pay $10 just to ship something to a different state.

Anyway, quick question—do I need to specify that I'm sending this package via certified mail, or will I still get that $4.25 receipt confirming it was sent if I just do it this way?

casualfox0 said:Shipping actually got way cheaper 🙏. I used to pay $10 just to send stuff to a different state.

Anyway, do I need to specify that I want this sent via certified mail, or will I still get a receipt for $4.25 showing it was sent?

Yeah, you still get the receipt; I was mailing a package just the other day.

casualfox0 said:Shipping costs have actually dropped 🙏. I used to pay $10 just to ship to a different state.

Quick question, though—do I need to specify that I'm sending this via certified mail, or will I still get a receipt for $4.25 just by sending it as a standard package?

No need to send it certified; that’ll just drive up the price. Even if you just send it as a regular package, you'll still get a receipt. 🙂

That’s wonderful. Thanks so much for all the helpful answers! 😉

I honestly can't recall exactly when that happened $10, but I've been sending these out for three years now and it was always $5.00 until about six or seven months ago
.

Elizabeth Ortiz said:There’s probably a reason, I’d assume... just give it a few days. You always have to consider that something might have come up, or someone just needs to get stuff done. I really don't think she'd try to pull one over on you, especially since she's been around this forum forever.

I’m with you on that. She's only been on the forum for a month, though. I think someone already mentioned something on the feedback thread, so if you're stressing, maybe just try calling her? Personally, I'd be panicking by now, but whatever.😁

Maybe her laptop died, or her Wi-Fi went out, or some other random thing happened and she's stuck. Who knows where she lives or how long it takes to fix stuff like that.🤷 Just a thought...

Just chill. A week isn't that long, and you can always ask about it on the boards. 👍Hope everything turns out fine.🙂

Oh, wait, just saw this—her last activity was listed as: Today at 7:56 PM.

Good luck!😉

Melissa Morgan77 said:I'm on the same page. It’s only been a month since she joined the forum. I think someone already mentioned this on the feedback thread—if you're really stressing, just try calling her. Personally, I'd be panicking by now.😁

Maybe her laptop died, or her Wi-Fi went out, or whatever. Who knows where she lives or how long it takes to get things back up and running.🤷 Just an example...

Chill out, a week isn't that long, and you can always just ask about it on the boards.👍 Hope everything turns out fine.🙂

Wait, just saw this—it says her last activity was today at 7:56 PM.

Good luck!😉

Unread 0 😠

So, I’ve got about 50 of these little packages—basically just small envelopes—to send out, and I was wondering... do I need to use blue or white envelopes? I'm leaning towards white, but who knows... also, can I just print the addresses on my computer and stick them on, or does the USPS insist on everything being handwritten? Like, is there a rule against being efficient here? 🙂

Thanks for the help!

Emily Mitchell44 said:0 unread 😠

What’s the deal... maybe someone at her place just rebooted the router while she was still logged in on her browser.🤷

Still nothing? Just shoot me a DM so I can see who we're talking about. If I happen to know Sara and her usual handles, I might actually be able to help you out.🤷

redranger82 said:I've got about 50 small packages to send out—basically just standard letters—and I was wondering if I should be using blue or white envelopes? (I'm guessing white.) Also, can I just print the addresses on my computer and stick them on, or does the USPS require everything to be handwritten?🙂

Thanks for the help!

Yellow. 😁 Actually, who cares about the color? As long as it's standard mail, it doesn't matter. And yeah, you can definitely print labels and stick them on. It's not the 1800s.👍

Honestly, my experience with sales is just dealing with people who act shocked and claim I'm lying when I give them the shipping cost.
First off, the price list is clearly posted online for anyone to download and double-check. Second—and just to be clear—I don't work for HP, so I don't set the rates. They’ve gotten really strict about weighing everything lately; once you put an item in an envelope ($1.75) and factor in the weight of both the packaging and the product, you get a specific total. I sometimes see people comment saying, "I'd only pay this much for shipping," and I just sit there thinking, man, people are something else.
If I were buying something that arrived $33 and the shipping was $13, how could I possibly demand that they credit it toward $40? I just don't get it. It's even clearer to me now how people jump to unfair judgments instead of just doing their own homework and checking the facts before complaining.

I’d never agree to those shipping rates myself; I could buy something brand new for that much money instead.
Shipping shouldn't cost more than $5.00. A package costs $4.25 for a value of $27 and weighs up to 5 kg. For anything else, you can calculate the price on the website. I don't understand what $13 is even paying for.
When you ship it as a package, you get a standard confirmation. If the package gets lost, you're reimbursed the full declared value.

$33 The value for a package up to 5kg is $4.25 bucks including tax.

Hmm, let's see what $13 charges... for a package between $267 and 5kg, say via USPS or HP express...🤷

Basically, everyone’s going to pay whatever they want for an average package, which I guess is about $5.00. Honestly, if people want a discount, they should just ask instead of whining or judging. Whatever, people do what they want. Personally, if we're talking about those $33 rates, I'll just cover that extra tax myself.😉

Honestly, I’m a little embarrassed to even ask,
but does anyone know the actual difference between the standard package and the premium one? 😳

Kimberly Brown43 said:Look, I’m totally embarrassed to ask this,
but what’s actually the difference between a standard package and a value-added one? 😳

The stuff mentioned $333 is considered the value-added option.
Plus, with the standard packages, you still get a confirmation receipt and coverage if things get lost or damaged.

The only thing is, you don't get a confirmation for basic letters.
And don't let the name fool you—even if they call it a "letter," it can be any shape or size (like a small box or whatever), as long as it stays under two pounds.

Chloe Moore65 said:Personally, I’d never agree to pay those shipping rates—for that kind of money, I’d just go out and buy something brand new instead.
Shipping shouldn't be more expensive than $5.00; a package costs $4.25, covers a value of up to $27, and weighs under 11 lbs. For anything else, you can just run the numbers on their website. I really don't get what the extra $13 is actually paying for?
Plus, when you send it as a standard package, you get a proper confirmation, and if the thing actually gets lost, you’re covered for the full declared value.

FedEx Express falls right into that price bracket.

Thanks Nicole Lee4!

Am I the one footing the bill for the COD fee when I send a package, or does the recipient cover it? I mean, once I get to the local Post Office counter and everything is weighed and the paperwork is all filled out