USPS Priority vs First Class

[Bladepeek]

Here's a question for you USPS experts and a comment on my experience so far.

I've been buying a lot of used stuff from Trad Gang members and, since we lost our local trad shop, from Trad Gang sponsors.

I have had nothing but excellent service from the USPS with Priority Mail. In the last month or so I've received packages from TX and CA within 3 days; one from TX (gun related) in 2 days.

Of the last 3 packages sent "First Class", mailed with a PayPal mailing label, all 3 were lost/delayed for up to 7 days.

Have the rest of you experienced this sort of thing?

I wish I were offered the opportunity to pay the small additional postage and specify Priority mailing. Guess I'm one of those guys who takes a year to decide what I want, but once I buy it, I want it yesterday.

[tim roberts]

The vast majority of items I ship, go priority mail, it cost a bit more, but I figure the post office has less time to loose it!
Thanks,

[Pat B]

Any time I mail anything important or valuable I use USPS Priority Mail. A Postal agent once told me that fewer hands touch Priority Mail so less chance of loss or damage.

[McDave]

Plus, priority mail offers tracking. I'm not sure 1st class does.

[Kelly]

First Class is used for packages up to 15 ounces, any weight 1# and over goes Priority. The difference in delivery speed between these two options is only slightly faster for Priority. Tracking numbers are provided free for both services, except First Class letters.

Should be no problem with either service-might be something to do with the PayPal generated shipping label not being totally compatible with the USPS system. I really can't attest to this since I've never used PayPal for my shipping labels. I use USPS.com for my shipping labels and paying the postage online I get a discount-anyone can do it the same way and get a discount and generate the correct shipping label.

USPS.com will not let you create an inaccurate addressed shipping label-other providers like PayPal may let you create an inaccurately addressed shipping label that will create delays.

[Bladepeek]

Thanks Kelly. As you pointed out, both services carry a tracking number. The USPS tracking web site has shown the item moving rapidly from point of origin to the closest sorting center in Michigan, but then getting either misdirected to the wrong local post office, or getting "lost" at the last sorting center for 2 or 3 days. The tracking center always showed it addressed properly to me. Maybe the bar code was wrong, but wouldn't that show up as an incorrect destination address?

Anyway, if given a choice, I will definitely opt for Priority Mail.

[Ron Nepini]

It's well worth the extra bucks to ship anything of value Priority mail.Iv'e had some BAD dealings with the post office.

[Kyle Lancaster]

For the past 6 months to 1 year, I've had nothing but great, expedient service with USPS Priority Mail.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by McDave:
Plus, priority mail offers tracking. I'm not sure 1st class does.

first class does offer tracking.

Every string I ship is shipped first class.  I ship multiple items a week and i have no problem shipping priority, but will have to have the customer pay for priority.  Honeslty, in several hundred packages I have had 3 packages get lost and they always seem to reappear.  

Like this one..
still not sure what happened to it..

 https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input?qtc_tLabels1=9400109699937842256432  

notice the ship date and the last activity on it.

[Matty]

I personally do everything priority. I can't recall having a problem. I have however seen the prices fluctuate massively depending on "who" at the PO helps me. I think they make this stuff up 1/2 the time. Or get sales bonuses or something.

[McDave]

Originally posted by Kelly:


USPS.com will not let you create an inaccurate addressed shipping label-other providers like PayPal may let you create an inaccurately addressed shipping label that will create delays.

This "inaccurately addressed shipping label" thing can be a two-edged sword.  Governmental agencies, like the IRS, quite often create special zip codes for particular functions.  In my work as a CPA, I have often fought with the system that won't let me use a zip code that I know is correct.  I have wavered between writing in the correct zip code over the preprinted label, which probably doesn't help because it doesn't change the bar code, and may confuse things, or just letting it go with the incorrect zip code, which will probably get there eventually, after first being routed through the wrong office of the IRS.

[daveycrockett]

Got a 700.00 Postal MO that's been floating around going on 10 days sent priority mail.

[stykshooter]

I've shipped a bunch all priority mail if it's value is more than 500.00 add insurance, signature will be required for delivery

[Kelly]

Originally posted by Bladepeek:
Thanks Kelly. As you pointed out, both services carry a tracking number. The USPS tracking web site has shown the item moving rapidly from point of origin to the closest sorting center in Michigan, but then getting either misdirected to the wrong local post office, or getting "lost" at the last sorting center for 2 or 3 days. The tracking center always showed it addressed properly to me. Maybe the bar code was wrong, but wouldn't that show up as an incorrect destination address?


Anyway, if given a choice, I will definitely opt for Priority Mail.

The first three numbers of your zip code is all that is needed to get a parcel to the closest sorting facility of the addressed. At that point then  the last two numbers of zip code come into play to get it into your local post office. Then your unique +4 zip code directs it to you. If the address label is produced by a non USPS service most likely there won't be this +4 zip so then it goes to your street address, which has to be identical to that what is in the USPS system as your correct address. A simple mis spelling of your last name, mainly in the first four letters, or the street name causes the parcel to be kicked out of the automated system to be handled directly by an individual to figure out where it should go. Whenever a human comes into play mistakes can be made, delays always happen.

Having worked at the destination end of the Postal system as a mail carrier when most of the mail needed sorting each day before delivering there was lots of mail incorrectly addressed. It takes added time to sort those items to get them to the correct individual. When you have people with the same names or same addresses with only one being a street and the other being an avenue it can get confusing and takes time to figure out where it goes.

I'm not making any excuses since being on the inside working at the PO and when I ran a mail order business shipping thousand or more packages a year I knew how important a properly addressed package was in getting it to the destination. Learned early on that using USPS.com to make my shipping labels eliminated a lot of issues, plus paying for postage on that site saved me money and now my mail carrier picks up the parcels at my house when he delivers my mail. Don't have to leave the house anymore.

[D. Key]

Sent a $200.00 Money Order Deposit via First Class for a bow on Sept. 15 and the recipient has not received the envelope as yet.  First time this has happened but anything with a MO in the future will be shipped "Priority" with a tracking number.  The extra $5.00 will be worth it to eliminate the frustration of a MO not delivered on time.

[Kelly]

Originally posted by D. Key:
Sent a $200.00 Money Order Deposit via First Class for a bow on Sept. 15 and the recipient has not received the envelope as yet.  First time this has happened but anything with a MO in the future will be shipped "Priority" with a tracking number.  The extra $5.00 will be worth it to eliminate the frustration of a MO not delivered on time.

Doug, you can do Certified Mail on that MO for $3.75 but if you are against a deadline that might not be an option because it does take a bit longer but they won't lose it. One of the flat rate envelopes would do the job and if you use the Post Office website to print the shipping label and pay online it will cost $5.05, you save 70 cents and it can be picked up at your house during regular mail delivery.

[D. Key]

Thanks Kelly for the info.  As of today, my MO still has not arrived and presumed lost.  Unfortunately no refund will be issued for at least 60 days.

[DDawg]

Originally posted by Bladepeek:


Of the last 3 packages sent "First Class", mailed with a PayPal mailing label, all 3 were lost/delayed for up to 7 days.

Have the rest of you experienced this sort of thing?

 

Lately I have had a terrible time with the USPS.. A few months ago I actually received a mangled empty box on my doorstep with "Damaged" Stamped on it.
I recently had a nightmare (USPS, No Fault of the Seller) experience buying from a Trad Gang member.
The Seller had promptly mailed the Item and forwarded me a confirmation  with a tracking number. after a few weeks I followed up with USPS.
I was amazed at the crap the postal workers tried to feed me. They (Postal Employee) actually made the statement that they(USPS) had no proof the package was actually mailed, and even insinuated that I might have been ripped off.  The tacking information showed the last place the package was scanned, 60 miles from my house.
The Trad Gang member graciously sent me a new product, via UPS....

[eckterling]

I am probably the only person who is going to say this, but I have not yet had any problems with First Class mail. I have sent a few hundred feather orders with First Class shipping (since feathers are so light) and have not had one lost yet. It might take an extra day or two but most of the time it arrives just as quickly. And it comes with tracking. With the money I save shipping first class if an order is lost I could easily replace it.

If someone says they want Priority Mail shipping I charge a couple extra extra bucks and ship it that way.

[MnFn]

For what it is worth,

You will be disappointed if you think a tracking number will help with on time delivery.

 I think Priority is well worth the price, and if necessary insurance. I almost always use these two.

The tracking number is sometimes interesting to see where a delayed package has been, right up to the time it was lost, or in most cases mis-sorted.  In my opinion it is most beneficial  for confirming delivery.

Just the musings of a former Sectional Center Postmaster.