I teach an introduction to eBay course through the Dover-Sherborn Community Education program. Part of what I like to do is offer a continued dialog with past, present and future students here at TechTraction on topics relevant to eBay. Recently, I had my routine annoying encounter with the U.S. Postal Service. I shared that experience with my brother via email and he responded with some very useful eBay shipping tips specific to the U.S. Postal Service.

What annoys me about the U.S. Postal Service? Two things in particular: Postal worker interrogation whenever I use Media Mail, and double checking my package whenever I arrive with my own shipping label attached and paid for.

• Interrogation: Media Mail is a method of shipping books, CDs, DVDs, etc for a very reduced rate. Transport time isn’t very fast, but the cheap rate often makes it worth the wait. I always ship books I trade on bookmooch.com with Media Mail; however, using this method means you have to endure interrogation from the postal worker receiving your package (e.g. What’s in the package? Any letters? Any note cards, packing lists, or post-it notes?). Even when I’ve start the conversation with, “I’d like to ship this package with Media Mail. It only contains a book and nothing else.” interrogation always follows.
• Double Checking: I love using the eBay print a shipping label option whenever I sell something: Click button, fill out a few details, click to print and then cut and tape output to the package. Take your package to UPS and you can drop a pre-labeled box and walk out without a hassle. Geez! The UPS people even smile and say thanks as you walk out. Try to “drop-n-run” at the Post Office and they want to weigh your package and make sure you’ve included enough postage. Okay, so tell me WHY I could automate this process online only to go through most of it again here at the Post Office? Who knows.

My Brother’s U.S. Postal Service Shipping Tips

After hearing of my frustration with the U.S. Postal Service my Brother had these tips for getting the most out of this very archaic shipping service:

• Don’t bother with Media Mail: Forget the discounted rate, it’s not worth the interrogation. For a little bit more money use First Class mail, bypass the interrogration and the package often arrives sooner.
• Sign up for Click-n-Ship at USPS.com: The online manifestation of the U.S. Postal Service offers Priority Mail and Express Mail only. Use Priority Mail from this site and you get FREE delivery confirmation (that feature costs extra at the Post Office). Priority Mail also offers FREE boxes. You can get the boxes at your local Post Office or order online and have them delivered for FREE. If possible, grab a couple extra boxes and keep at home to speed up the packing process.
• Flat Rate Priority Boxes: Make sure you have a small supply of these handy boxes nearby. If you have something small but heavy, use one of these gems as Flat Rate can be cheaper than normal Priority Mail and it still gets Priority Mail service.

His tips were great but I have one of my own to add:

• Whenever possible, screw the U.S. Postal Service and use UPS or FedEx. Those services do cost more, but at least you get a “real” tracking number. Ever get a USPS tracking number and actually try and use it online? What a joke.

Share, Bookmark, or Email this post

If you liked this post, subscribe to TechTraction's RSS feed or TechTraction's email feed

Filed under: Off Topic