What do we do if the USPS closes or drastically increase shipping fees ???

[hotplatters]

As a seller on Ebay,  I'm growing increasingly concerned about the future of the USPS (United States Postal Service)...

The maniac in the White House wants to force them to charge up to four times their current fees, become privatized, or shut down completely..

If he gets his way, it will very likely mean the end of "media mail".. and as a result, shipping fees will be outrageous and unaffordable...

I'm wondering what others sellers and buyers are planning on doing if / when our postal system is gutted  ??

Personally, I'm not ready to retire...    Stay safe everyone...    Ed O. 

[b86fiero]

Use a different shipping provider - UPS, FedEx, courier, etc

Raise your prices to reflect the actual shipping cost.

🤔

[dhbookds]

The chances of that happening immediately or happening at all are so minuscule that we'd be wasting our time even discussing it, in my opinion.  Congress would have to agree and knowing how much, right now particularly, people depend on the PO.....it just won't happen..........

[luckythewinner]

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@hotplatters wrote:

The maniac in the White House wants to force them to charge up to four times their current fees, become privatized, or shut down completely..

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The man in the White House says a number of crazy things every single day. 99.99% of them are just noise.

[toysaver]

One strategy would be to advertise and sell on sites that are more local with pick ups/meetings.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, i agree with the @dhbookds, this is not likely to happen, so i am not worried or concerned. Because of this, my business plan doesnt need adjusting. I think this is “just talk” from the President. He likes to churn the pot, but it is doubtful that this is a serious attempt at  reorganizing the postal service. Just my point of view, but thanks for asking the question.

[dirk12955]

I'm not worried about the USPS going the way of the Buggy Whip.      If any of the worse case scenarios were 

to happen we'd all be affected the same way.

It' s not like every other seller would have some sort of advantage.    If it happens at all,   It happens to everybody.  Buyers,  sellers,  Bidders,  Sport bidders,   Tire kickers,    Nobody would be immune.   

[fern*wood]

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@dhbookds wrote:

The chances of that happening immediately or happening at all are so minuscule that we'd be wasting our time even discussing it, in my opinion.  Congress would have to agree and knowing how much, right now particularly, people depend on the PO.....it just won't happen..........

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I want this to be true, but it's different now and very frightening in general.  Norms mean nothing, Congress means nothing, and revenge means everything. 

[rosszonebricks]

Much like the collection of Sales Tax, if/when postal rates go up, it's just another scenario that 'will affect us all'.  No seller will have an advantage over another.

[cityslickercreations2004]

This scare tactic has been around for years.  The USPS has made  attempts to update/ reinvent themselves to no avail. Congress controls the purse strings and the public has not been supportive of any changes. Until Congress gets serious, this issue will continue to fester.

[kensgiftshop]

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@hotplatters wrote:

the end of "media mail"..

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As much as it is abused, they should do away with it anyway.

[wrong66]

Fine for you, maybe. But not if you're a bookseller, or anyone else who depends on Media mail. 

[uncseniorsportsfan]

Ain't gonna happen if Trump wants to have any hope of being re-elected.  And if he is not re-elected - it won't happen at all.  

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

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@hotplatters wrote:

the end of "media mail"..

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As much as it is abused, they should do away with it anyway.

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I someone who sells books (used to sell a lot of books, now more into paper) I almost want to agree with you...BUT...there is a substantial cost savings for heavier books.  Regular, non-collectible books are a tough sell anyway and higher postage costs would kill the market for small sellers.

But you're right - the abuse is rampant, and in all honesty I do see the PO either doing away with MM or going to some sort of permit type use.

[doubledz-a2z]

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@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

Hi, i agree with the @dhbookds, this is not likely to happen, so i am not worried or concerned. 

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No one ever expected the world to go into total lockdown either.   If prices go up they go up.  Look at eggs, meat etc.   If they do you raise your prices or you pay the increase.   Or you quit selling.