USPS Stickers "Fragile/Special Handling" Issue and Late Deliveries

[dawaguila_2]

I have been using USPS "Fragile/Special Handling Stickers" for months on end not realizing there is a special $10.25 "fee" for their "special handling".  Ironically, out of the hundreds of items I have sold over the months using these stickers, only two were charged to my customers where I was so embarrased and refunded immediately.  Ironically, one of the packages that had the "fragile/special handling" sticker was basically run over by a plow or dropped from the air.   Refunded customer the $10.25, plus all shipping and original item price.  Please be careful with the 'fragile' stickers as they sometimes charge if they actually look at it.  In my case, 95% did not pay attention, so even if you'd like to use them, the chances are they will take your money, but not be extra careful. 

Also, with the Holiday coming upon us, I am noticing my priority mail is not actually a priority anymore.  I ship the same day or following day, it's taking at least 5-7 days for delivery with USPS.  I just wanted to check if that was normal around this time of year?  End of November/early December?  I may put it in a little blurb on my listings since when I say 2-3 day delivery, and it ends up being 5-7, and I look really bad. 😞 

Thanks!

[mansons2005]

The particular sticker you are referring to is NOT the same as a Fragile  sticker - it denotes special contents that require special handling, such as live chicks, etc.

My suggestion is to purchase a roll of Fragile stickers at the local office supply store, IF you continue to use that designation - one that I believe has no effect on how a parcel is handled..............

[jason_incognito]

Some day watch a video of how packages get sorted. No human touches them. Basically the trucks back up and dump packages into a hopper and they get bounced around by machines until they get to the end. Often the packages drop off the end of a conveyor into a bin. Sometimes a few foot drop. 

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

You are misusing the yellow Special Handling stickers -- they cost money and are for a special service, not for sending general merchandise. (I doubt you are mailing hazmat, live chicks, tropical fish, perishable goods or similar items.) You can obtain RED-and-WHITE "Fragile" labels at no charge or simply print your own in any color.

By the way, when you declare any Priority Mail package as "fragile," you LOSE the $50 included indemnity for damage. Ditto for hazmat, liquid and perishable.

As for in-transit times, yes, slower service is very normal during the holiday season. Don't bother to promise or even mention delivery time in your listings unless you have signed up for eBay's Guaranteed Delivery program or are offering USPS Priority Express Mail guaranteed service. Neither of those is really guaranteed either -- but at least you may be compensated by either eBay or the carrier if something is delayed.

~~C~~

[partial*eclipse]

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duchess-at-speakeasy wrote: ... By the way, when you declare any Priority Mail package as "fragile," you LOSE the $50 included indemnity for damage. Ditto for hazmat, liquid and perishable....

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Do you have a USPS source for that policy? I couldn't find any reference to it in the basic DMM pages about insurance, such as section 4.2 for Coverage.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#ep1063624

[couldabeenworse]

Arguably, it's here:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/609.htm

 609 4.3l

Fragile nature of article prevented its safe carriage in the mail, regardless of packaging.

[Anonymous]

How are you sending your packages? are you handing them directly to a clerk so they can follow the special handling instructions? If not then they are being thrown in with the rest of the bulk mail.

When you pay for the special handling sticker the clerk puts your package aside in a separate tub and is loaded all by itself on the end of the truck.

Once it gets to the sending distribution center it is processed by hand and then placed in its own container with other "specials" going to the destination area, usually a 4'x2' rolling cage we call an APC.

Then at the receiving distribution center, it will be taken off the semi and moved to an area where it can then be loaded manually by the driver of the bulk mail truck going to the buyers' local post office.

As mentioned before any other type of fragile markings are not seen by a human until the final step and the postal carrier happens to see it.

All in all, it is pretty good service for $10 and in over 3 years have never seen a "special handling" box come into the distribution center damaged.

btw, if you are getting these online at usps there is a note saying that an extra service fee applies.

[chipper01work]

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@couldabeenworse wrote:

Arguably, it's here:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/609.htm

 609 4.3l

Fragile nature of article prevented its safe carriage in the mail, regardless of packaging.

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That has nothing to do with a sticker being placed on the outside of a box. Marking a package fragile DOES NOT nullify insurance and NEVER has. That passage says that some items are so fragile that there is no way to package them with a reasonable expectation that they will arrive undamaged and therefore those types of items are not insurable.

[chipper01work]

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@partial*eclipse wrote:

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duchess-at-speakeasy wrote: ... By the way, when you declare any Priority Mail package as "fragile," you LOSE the $50 included indemnity for damage. Ditto for hazmat, liquid and perishable....

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Do you have a USPS source for that policy? I couldn't find any reference to it in the basic DMM pages about insurance, such as section 4.2 for Coverage.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#ep1063624

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There is no source because it is NOT true.

[couldabeenworse]

That has nothing to do with a sticker being placed on the outside of a box.

I agree, but it was the argument made by USPS in several cases where someone reported on the boards that their insurance was denied because of the sticker.

[danner501]

USPS doesn't guarantee Priority Mail is delivered in 1-3 days.  Especially true for remote delivery locations, or other delivery delays, which do  happen.  They state:

"In most cases, the expected delivery date that is printed on your receipt or provided at checkout will reflect a delivery time of 1, 2, or 3 days based on origin, destination, and Post Office™ acceptance time. Exceptions and restrictions apply. Visit Priority Mail for details."

[gpisnazzy]

I have been ordering these USPS "Special Handling - Fragile" stickers online for months now. Until recently, there was no warning prior to placing an order that use of these stickers would incur a fee. The yellow warning on the USPS website is relatively new. I have also used the above stickers many, many times over the past months without incurring a fee.  After reading a few posts on this board regarding widespread confusion relative to the Postal Service charging a fee, I discontinued use of the USPS yellow Fragile label. I have been tracking delivery of a package which was shipped on May 8, 2018. The tracking info provided was this:

'Notice Left (No Secure Location Available)

2018-05-10, 11:06:00, LAKE MARY, FL 32746

Reminder to Schedule Redelivery of your item'

It would appear from this information that the buyer simply had not requested redelivery of her package or had not yet picked it up from her local Post Office. Yesterday, June 5, the buyer opened a case requesting a full refund: 

'The buyer didn't receive the item

Buyer requested: A refund

Comments: Item never arrived.'

I contacted ebay to ask advice about how to proceed. Customer service agent checked the tracking information, suggested I reply to the buyer and supply tracking number. I did that. Her response this morning:

'The buyer sent a message

Comments

Item never arrived. Only information left at residence was a notice from the post office noting additional charge of $10.95 was due for shipping. $19.49 was already paid in shipping. Therefore, requesting a refund.'

Her package was the last package I sent using the yellow Fragile stickers.

Moral of the story--if you have been using the yellow USPS "Fragile" stickers, discontinue use immediately.