Questions Regarding USPS Pickups - How to properly make use of this

[russjnsn]

I am currently without a car and getting to the  US Post Office has become difficult in order ship items.  I have some questions regarding scheduling pickups and labels.  I do not ship everyday. I ship using eBay and do not purchase labels through USPS.

I created an account on the USPS website to schedule pickups. Do I have to actually schedule pickups or would the USPS carrier just pickup the items? When creating labels, I would assume that I would put shipping day, as the day for the scheduled pickup. Is this correct?

I saw at this link, https://pages.ebay.com/usps/shippingitems/carrierpickup.html that it mentions: "When mailing two or more packages, request a manifest or SCAN form (PS Form 5630)." How do i print the manifest or Form 5630? Does it make a difference regarding these forms?

I have 7 items that I currently need to ship and I want these picked up, would these have to be put into the system now so that the scheduled pickup goes through?

I'm really nervous about using this out fear that the packages will not get picked up.  I'm a bit confused by the whole process. Any help would be appreciated.

[ibzduck2]

I purchase and print my labels through eBay.  On the print this label page there is also a section for you to request a pick up if using USPS.  You would also have the choice of just going to your account with USPS and requesting a pick up.  I live in a Rural area and have never had a issue with USPS picking up my packages.  You would not be able to request same day pick up but if you sold something today you would be able to request pick up for tomorrow.  My carrier also scans every item but I am just a small seller. 

[russjnsn]

Thanks for the reply that helps. I am also just a small seller and was not sure how this works.

[lja440]

I'm a mail carrier. Usually there isn't an issue with pick-up in a rural area. Most times just put the package or a note in the mailbox with the flag up. You can schedule pick-up too but in some small offices the carriers may leave before the Postmaster who in those offices does everything gets a chance to check. 

If you have a city carrier  it is best to schedule a pick up because if they walk it maybe that your carrier might have to park or run the route a bit differently to gather those packages.

My suggestion is that you call your Post Office this morning (8am is usually good), ask what will work best and let them know that you have X many packages ready to ship today and you would like them picked up.

[mudshark61369 · Accepted solution]

@russjnsn,

Because you seem to be under the gun to ship the items out, some of the answers you have received or will receive, may not help your current crisis.  lja440's suggestion to call your local P.O. first thing may work for you in terms of getting a pick-up today. 

My answer works for me, but whether or not it helps you will depend on your type of location, urban, suburban, rural.  It will also depend on whether or not you receive mail at your house, from a community mail box (apartment/condo) or at a neighborhood or street group of mailboxes. 

I get delivery at a mailbox in front of my house, and have a secure location away fom prying eyes to leave packages when I'm not at home. I also have a regular carrier, which is important.  Routes that do not have regular carrier or end up with a lot of substitute carriers can be problematic. 

I talked to my carrier several years ago and we worked out a signal that I had outgoing packages. It is a simple sleeve that goes over the red outgoing mail flag on my box. It is made of a day glow green light cardboard material, ( got it at Walmart but is available at many chain drugstores or other big box stores) that I weather proofed by taping over both sides. I bought a 24 x 36" sheet of it, since eventually it will weather.

She sees it on her way down the street and picks up packages on her way back.  She also has notes for substitute carriers, but they do not always check them out.  She also has my phone number and will text me if she is way behind, or like this morning doing her route backwards, so pick up will be early today. 

[russjnsn]

Thx for the help. I scheduled pickup on the USPS website last night for today to see how it goes. I'm shipping out 3 items today. My carrier is usually good but I was just concerned as I have read stories of items not getting picked up or getting scanned or other issues.

[russjnsn]

Thx for the response and great idea with the signaling system for the carrier. I had scheduled pickup last night and see how it goes today.