You have a USPS shipping Question???

[the-book-monster]

As I read these threads I see a LOT of misinformation floating around about the USPS.

My day job is that of a Delivery Supervisor (EAS 17), and I have worked for the USPS for 14 years.

I will be glad to answer any questions you have. I am not on these threads all day, but will answer as quickly as I can.

[dhbookds]

Thanks for offering to help......and for doing it!!!!!!

[partial*eclipse]

---

swenson8781 wrote: ... The material sent must be educational media. Video games, computer drives, or digital drives of any kind are not items qualified for mailing at Media Mail prices....

There are some USPS informational pages about MM that claim that materials must be educational, but that is not supported by the regulations.  In the DMM, the term "educational" appears in 2 of the 10 specific categories of items that are eligible for MM, and thus apparently the other 8 do not need to be.  Even the trashiest romance novels and pop music CDs are eligible for Media Mail.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/273.htm#ep1062323

Here's the support ruling specifically about video games.

https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-334.htm

[buyselljack2016]

---

@the-book-monster wrote:
There is an often overlooked step you can take to increase your service. Get to know your mailman. What is their name? Strike up a conversation with them some time, be friendly... You may not see them that often, but when you do say hi, offer up a bottle of water in the heat. Those types of things go a long way to having them go the extra step for you. After you get to know them, casually mention your book business... Hopefully as a rural delivery you will have the same mailman for a long time.

---

@the-book-monster

Sorry, 19 years in the business. That is not "the extra step". That is doing the job that they are suppoesd to be doing.  Non-contact customers(working when carrier delivers/picks up), and grumps pay for the same service as those dropping off homemade cookies during the Holidays.

Our carrier is great. Scans them all.  Scan sheet does not work for us. 3 accounts with sometimes different label purchase/printing times/days.

[newview]

Burning question ...

How can we get the USPS to consider implementing some new Priority Mail box sizes?

[muttlymob]

---

@newview wrote:

Burning question ...

How can we get the USPS to consider implementing some new Priority Mail box sizes?

---

If you place a big enough order you can get custom made sizes.

[pingpong517]

I would only say...what i have seen on these threads tell me that even though USPS says and you expect it all to work exactly a like...there are differences... some do , some don't..some always, some once in awhile...and yes all are suppose to and expected to..BUT it is true it all doesn't happen the same everywhere... small towns, and odd spots have issues...over the counter people are different...they do it different..some scan as you hand it to them , some pile up..to be done later or not... pick ups? yep some do..some may not... so to say yes to any one question...i'm sure there are stories that disagree...

BUT WE have to be sure they do, and if not find out how to be sure....it's really on us.... talk to the USPS people..get to know them..i've learned alot from them, and they now know if i ask- why i ask....

media....peopel use that incorrectly all the time,..some get caught some don't..it written out...read it and use it wisely...

as for costs on larger..hey use the others if you don't like the price..they have a right to price it the way they need to/want to. 

We hope they all do what we need them to do, and yes some don't plain and simple, but most do ....and still it's best to take the extra time to be sure it's scanned, or know you may have to wait to see the next update....

[pingpong517]

---

@the-book-monster wrote:

As I read these threads I see a LOT of misinformation floating around about the USPS.

My day job is that of a Delivery Supervisor (EAS 17), and I have worked for the USPS for 14 years.

I will be glad to answer any questions you have. I am not on these threads all day, but will answer as quickly as I can.

---

and thank you for the offer...i am sure you could answer a lot of questions, not solve all problems, but at least an answer with some knowledge and background.....

[siayan]

@the-book-monster

Don't go to any troulble if you don't know but-

Do you know if this is written in a manual anywhere? I would like to have it to post on the discussion boards when it comes up.

Also thanks for taking the time to answer our question.

[siayan]

A mail person never forgets a Christam card. Thats a Steak and Shake card of course.

[siayan]

I will ask another one. If someone tries to retrive a package by paying the fee does that recall work when a driver tries to scan the package at delivery? 

[the-book-monster]

Sorry I am trying to understand your question... but not quite getting it.... Are you referring to a package intercept??

[siayan]

It is my understanding (I have never done it) but someone can pay to have a package returned. For example a seller realized they shipped and the money was not paid. They can file a intercept (?). I have heard that they call and are told it can't be intecepted because it is out for delivery.

Does the carriers hand held scanner have the ability to get up to the minute data that when they scan it tells them not to deliver?

[siayan]

@the-book-monster

Please see clarification of my question above

But I have another that maybe you can answer. I read that this is allowed (I think) at one time but can't find it now.

Lets say I have a medium flat rate box. It ships to my state for 12.50 (or whatever) flat rate. I can ship it non flat rate priority for $7.00. Am I allowed to use that flat rate box with the $7.00 shippingt postage?

[the-book-monster]

No if you use a flat rate box you would need to pay the postage on that box.

[the-book-monster]

Yes and No. How you describe it in your question, no. However I have had customers request an intercept, and then we can send a text message to the carrier if it is out for delivery to bring it back to the station...but ideally we catch it before it hits the streets.