USPS Rate increases

[pressurewasheroutlet]

USPS is ridiculous. There shipping service is getting worse than ever and another price increase.

Fire the main Post Master. 

[bonanza125]

There is nothing we as a community can do about shipping rates. Expect the shipping rates to go up even more. It's not worth selling stuff under $6 anymore. Think about it this way ok be thankful the USPS exists and you are being charged the amount you are. It's 2 1/2 times more with Fed Ex or UPS.

[sassykzt]

Agreed!  A rate increase AND a holiday surcharge that began in early Oct. and ends in Jan. 19  2025?   Heads up: Pirateship did not add the holiday surcharge.  Same discounted rates and a phenomenal export rate for international shipments. 

[dolcetreasures]

Sent a package from NNJ across the river to mid-town Manhattan. One week and counting…

[12345jamesstamps]

'It's not worth selling stuff under $6 anymore'....I sell a lot under 6 bucks and make a profit.

I gave up selling toys years ago and knew it wouldn't be worth it anymore unless items are rare.

You do sell post cards and if shipped using just a forever stamp you can make a profit.

It's the tracking that makes it expensive with different shipping resources that make it expensive.

Decades ago we had no tracking...someone a long time found out there's money in that service.

Decades ago coins and stamps on approval without a weight or thickness restriction had no tracking or restrictions like today. The good old days are long gone.

[pressurewasheroutlet]

Yes, but good luck getting a refund for a lost package.

Pirate Ship Is a scam.

[pressurewasheroutlet]

Inflation just rose higher.

[simba6]

No they won't do that. I suspect they will say their just over worked and ask for more holidays.

[sassykzt]

I've used Pirateship for years.  Have had  2 lost packages -- the claim went through in 2 days.  They were very helpful in expediting the claim through USPS.  They have actual customer service.  I don't see how they are a "scam".

[fbusoni]

---

@pressurewasheroutlet wrote:

USPS is ridiculous. There shipping service is getting worse than ever and another price increase.

Fire the main Post Master. 

---

Silly comments that do not comport to the general reality that most here experience.

Sure, there are hiccups when you move over 700 million pieces of mail each day. 

But to its credit, USPS has created avenues for correction and compensation.

As for lost packages, have you tried https://missingmail.usps.com?   

For media mail that is tracked but is not insured, and which is lost, you will get your postage reimbursed.

For insured GA and Priority mail that is tracked and lost, you will get a full value reimbursement.  All you need to do is make sure the item is insured for its full value, and submit documentation. 

(It has worked for me on one or two occasions when it happened... and it was my fault:  I used one of those self-adhesive label holders, and failed to secure it with additional clear tape to the box.  The label holder peeled off in transit, so the parcel had no addresses on it.)

Having said that, it something is really valuable, I will spring for the additional chump change and send it guaranteed and/or certified and/or signature receipt, or use FedEx.

[varebelrose]

I myself am extremely happy with the current USPS. Never had a problem shipping or recieving in at least 10 years. Of course the service costs more, but that is firmly a reflection of the rampant inflation we have seen over the last 4 years, beginning with fuel costs and affecting everything else along the way. Elections have consequences.

[bonanza125]

@12345jamesstamps 

"'It's not worth selling stuff under $6 anymore'....I sell a lot under 6 bucks and make a profit."

I am guessing our profit margins are different. $1 to $2 profit isn't worth my time. When you said it's the tracking which isn't worth it well that is true which is why I try to discontinue cheaper items. As you know if no tracking is attached to the package and the item gets sent in an envelope with a stamp on it then the seller gets a tracking defect. Unfortunately for me that's Ebay's policy which I watch what items I select. The postcards I am just trying to get rid of. In fact I am on the verge of just bundling all those postcards in one lot and getting rid of them together. They been on the market for awhile. Yeah I remember those days as well where we didn't have to worry about tracking or defects. It has changed.

[rudy2828]

Good idea. They are not manufacturing extra time on earth. Move it out. Or toss. Once it's gone you'll feel better. Life is much too short as it is.

[12345jamesstamps]

Last week I made a purchase of 30 forever International stamps of $27.70 with shipping and tax...those are each worth $1.65 each today. This makes my shipping cheaper with a good profit...better than that 10% discount as a Top Rated Seller.

'seller gets a tracking defect'..of only not being able to be a Top Rated Seller...I am still above average without tracking on some items.

It's just not worth that 10 % discount when I can purchase face value stamps under face value.

If I sell a nice set of stamps at $30.00 and just use a forever stamp it's a nice profit.

Plus without tracking items arrive 3-4 days cross country with a lost item in 2+ years.

I also have buyers who will buy 25-45+ items together at $2 bucks an item.

And I look for those 'repeat buyers'...to help during those slow periods.

We just have different business plans.