Just in from stamps.com

[southern*sweet*tea]

Dear Stamps.com customer,

Starting August 1, 2017 the USPS plans to change the way that they handle under-paid and over-paid postage amounts for packages by implementing a new “Automated Package Verification” (APV) system.

Under the current system:

• Under-paid packages are either rejected by the USPS or delivered “postage due” to the recipient. This causes either late deliveries or a bad customer experience.  
• Nothing is done to handle over-paid packages. Shippers lose whatever amount they have overpaid.

Under the planned APV system:

• Identified under-paid packages will be delivered without delay, and the shipper’s account balance will be deducted for the amount of under-paid postage.
• When over-paid packages are identified, the shipper’s account balance will be credited for the amount of over-paid postage.

Stamps.com is being updated to support this new APV system. Once APV goes into effect on August 1, 2017, we will be able to process USPS-issued debits and credits for under-paid and over-paid postage to your account balance. You will be able to view APV adjustment details in both the History and Reports pages. To dispute an adjustment, you will need to email VerifyPostageHelp@usps.gov with the package information and the adjustment reference.

To learn more about the APV program, simply visit our Support Center or contact the USPS by emailing VerifyPostageHelp@usps.gov.

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Just another in a long line of reasons to use stamps.com for your shipping needs.

[omgitlightsup]

Me too! In fact, I've never even heard of a package arriving postage due.

What worries me is that postage will now become as predictable as gas prices. You will run your books expecting to pay a certain amount, and then find out at the end of the month that you spent more or less on postage, because a package got rained on long enough to increase its weight by $0.02 worth of postage... or because someone made a mistake weighing your package at the carrier! So in an effort to coddle the less than one percent of people who can't work a postage scale, they're going to punish the rest of us.

[cathysbestbuys]

Well since each mailpiece has a tracking number - hopefully they would not be able to charge you again.

[cathysbestbuys]

You say that you and others add an extra ounce to be sure. But, USPS prices are the same for many of the same ounces when you use the discounted postage. For instance up to 6 ounces is $2.61, 7 and 8 ounces are $2.77, 9 ounces $3.32, etc. Also, be aware that USPS always rounds up. So if your scale says 6.1 ounces, you say 7 ounces.

[cathysbestbuys]

You pay a lot more for this paying retail - and you have to stand in line. I'd rather get discounts (and use 1st class up to 16 ounces instead of 13 ounces at retail) and have all of my tracking info in one place. 

[ebaayisfun]

Just gotta say, I'm with eBay on this.  As a "power seller" / "anchor" store subscriber (does not equate to making enough money to pay my bills) .... however, since eBay requires that I ship within 24 hours, provide tracking numbers, etc., why would anyone NOT use eBay's shipping label service???  Shipping via USPS' website is a last resort for on-line purposes, and only used when there is some glitch/problem on eBay's site (same is true with using PayPal's shipping label service).  I know nothing about Stamps dot com, but overall I would definitely recommend eBay's shipping label service.  By far the most comprehensive and advantegeous shipping service .... multiple shipping options (especially as far as USPS).  NO, you can't get a label for standard first class mail (a letter or card), but you can virtually get everything else at a discounted rate.  Not to mention the convenience of it all.  Kinda flabbergasted as to why any eBay seller would not use it.  Despite some hick-ups, glitches, etc., it really works the best.  Non-issue if you're an eBay seller - forget stamps dot com.  Just my two cents.