Scheduling a pickup with USPS issues.

[happy.flower]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some advice on scheduling a pickup with USPS

I usually leave a note in my mailbox saying that "I have packages for pickup" and they knock on my door and grab them.   (I've done this for 3-4 years with basically no issues)

Recently I've been getting new mailmen every month, some are saying that they can't do it this way or are requesting that I schedule a pickup online.

How can I schedule a pickup online when I'm supposed to fill out exactly how many packages I'm going to mail and the weight.

I usually ship packages that sell until noon the same day; yet I can only schedule a pickup the night before.   So its impossible for me or anyone to accurately tell them how many packages they will sell, it would be a guess.

On another note, sometimes I'll sell 10-15 items in this period, sometimes I'll sell 0.   Sometimes I'll have no priority packages. (Having 1 priority is the prerequisite after all)

When I questioned the mailman, they said it was even worse for them than my normal method if I schedule a pickup but there are no packages.

What are your solutions for handling postage pickup with usps?   

[takikawa4]

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wrote:

How can I schedule a pickup online when I'm supposed to fill out exactly how many packages I'm going to mail and the weight.

What are your solutions for handling postage pickup with usps?   

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Unless you have same-day handling, only ship those packages you scheduled for pickup. The other packages can go out the next day.

[philsumm]

You do not need to be accurate regarding the number of packages or weight.

I had the same problem with substitute carriers ignoring my note even though there was a notation on their route card. At times they would drive on by even when I had scheduled a pickup. To add insult to injury, I'd receive emails the next day informing me they either made the pickup or they tried but I had nothing set out.

It took a few calls to the 800 number and a couple of face to face  discussions with the current "Postmaster in training" to get it resolved. I explained to her about my getting defects for late shipping and pointed out that they worked the same as the "defects" she got every time I lodged a complaint with the 800 line. I also explained to her in front of her counter employees that the revenue their post office received from my shipping through them would cease when I switched my origin zip code to a neighboring post office. I assured her I was ready to schedule a pickup for every day that month even if it meant they had to come up to the house for a small package that would have otherwise fit in my oversized mail box that I had purchased for their convenience.

Sometimes you just have to be annoying.

[rixstuff]

You can go to USPS and schedule it from there then just leave the pile of packages on the porch.

[lintbrush*]

Accuracey isn't totally necessary when scheduling a pick up.  Close is good.

It really just lets the carrier know if they need to bring their vehicle (for lots of boxes and/or heavy weight) or if they can simply pop it in their bag and continue walking their route.

If you schedule for 10 but end up with 12, it's not an issue.  If you schedule for 1 but end up with 40, it's an issue.

There is no pre-requisite requiring at least one priority shipment.  One FCPS is what you need to schedule in order to get the "Other" option.    "Your carrier can pick up your shipment free during regular mail delivery if you're using an expedited service like Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, First-Class Package Service®, International, or a Return Service." usps.com