Shipping Question v. trading

thechrisdotcom · 08-06-2011, 11:59 AM

I have a question about shipping to others....

So I've gotten stuff sent to me from USPS in those flat rate boxes before. And I've been given the tracking number, but they've never worked for me when I look them up or the package isn't updated on it's current location.

We're supposed to supply the tracking number to others when we trade correct? Plus I think you have to pay more for the tracking feature, is that right?

I haven't shipped before with the flat rate stuff, so just curious how it works.

Ogre · 08-06-2011, 12:11 PM

The cheapest way to ship is to set up an account online with USPS. shipping is cheaper and tracking is free. The post office is a little slow updating their site, so tracking can be a little slow. Tracking is used to confirm the package has shipped and received. Hope this helps.

pnoon · 08-06-2011, 12:12 PM

It is a common misconception that it is a tracking number. It is not. It is a DC or Delivery Confirmation number.
It is common practice and a good idea for a DC to be provided in a transaction. But it is not required. If you buy your postage at the PO, I believe the DC costs $0.50. If you print your labels and pay online the DC is free.

AlohaStyle · 08-06-2011, 12:12 PM

USPS Delivery Confirmation isn't really a tracking number, it only is supposed to show when it was accepted at the post office and delivered, not the actual tracking.

It costs around $.70 to add the label or it's free if you type up the address label online and print it out.

thechrisdotcom · 08-06-2011, 12:13 PM

oh ok, cool. thanks.

RGD. · 08-06-2011, 12:55 PM

And also Chris - you can order the boxes for free online when you set up an account.

Ron

thechrisdotcom · 08-06-2011, 01:26 PM

I ordered some boxes. So they're on their way. But I really wanted to send my friends stuff out last night so I picked one up on the post office. At least they had a kiosk to print the label and pay so I didn't have to stay in line and wait.

I love the question on the screen about if it's alcohol, tobacco, etc. No Mr. Kiosk, that is not what I'm shipping. hahaha

I think it's pretty generous of the PO to give those boxes out for free.

thechrisdotcom · 08-06-2011, 01:27 PM

Do you guys insure your packages?

Because when it asks about if your contents is anything you're not supposed to send, do you still insure it? Because what if something happens and then they say, "well you're not supposed to ship those in the first place."

Emjaysmash · 08-06-2011, 02:32 PM

I dont ever insure my packages unless its something really valuable.

Ogre · 08-06-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechrisdotcom

I ordered some boxes. So they're on their way. But I really wanted to send my friends stuff out last night so I picked one up on the post office. At least they had a kiosk to print the label and pay so I didn't have to stay in line and wait.

I love the question on the screen about if it's alcohol, tobacco, etc. No Mr. Kiosk, that is not what I'm shipping. hahaha

I think it's pretty generous of the PO to give those boxes out for free.

You can ship cigars. The post office does allow cigarette to be mailed.

thechrisdotcom · 08-06-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogre

You can ship cigars. The post office does allow cigarette to be mailed.

Oh I wasn't sure. Some question thing came up on the kiosk and asked if it was cigars, cigarettes, liquor, and a bunch of other stuff. Wasn't sure if that was a list of stuff you can't send or it's something you had to sign for. I just said no and kept going. haha.

Angry_Pirate · 08-07-2011, 01:20 AM

This is good to know the post office is such a pain.

jsnake · 08-07-2011, 01:29 AM

You would be surprised by how many USPS employees have no idea what is okay to ship and what is not. No matter what they tell you shipping cigars is okay.

08-06-2011, 11:59 AM	#1
thechrisdotcom . Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 601 Trading: (2)	Shipping Question v. trading I have a question about shipping to others.... So I've gotten stuff sent to me from USPS in those flat rate boxes before. And I've been given the tracking number, but they've never worked for me when I look them up or the package isn't updated on it's current location. We're supposed to supply the tracking number to others when we trade correct? Plus I think you have to pay more for the tracking feature, is that right? I haven't shipped before with the flat rate stuff, so just curious how it works.

08-06-2011, 12:11 PM	#2
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading The cheapest way to ship is to set up an account online with USPS. shipping is cheaper and tracking is free. The post office is a little slow updating their site, so tracking can be a little slow. Tracking is used to confirm the package has shipped and received. Hope this helps. __________________

08-06-2011, 12:12 PM	#3
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading It is a common misconception that it is a tracking number. It is not. It is a DC or Delivery Confirmation number. It is common practice and a good idea for a DC to be provided in a transaction. But it is not required. If you buy your postage at the PO, I believe the DC costs $0.50. If you print your labels and pay online the DC is free. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

08-06-2011, 12:12 PM	#4
AlohaStyle Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: WA Posts: 1,168 Trading: (40)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading USPS Delivery Confirmation isn't really a tracking number, it only is supposed to show when it was accepted at the post office and delivered, not the actual tracking. It costs around $.70 to add the label or it's free if you type up the address label online and print it out.

08-06-2011, 12:13 PM	#5
thechrisdotcom . Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 601 Trading: (2)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading oh ok, cool. thanks.

08-06-2011, 12:55 PM	#6
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading And also Chris - you can order the boxes for free online when you set up an account. Ron

08-06-2011, 01:26 PM	#7
thechrisdotcom . Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 601 Trading: (2)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading I ordered some boxes. So they're on their way. But I really wanted to send my friends stuff out last night so I picked one up on the post office. At least they had a kiosk to print the label and pay so I didn't have to stay in line and wait. I love the question on the screen about if it's alcohol, tobacco, etc. No Mr. Kiosk, that is not what I'm shipping. hahaha I think it's pretty generous of the PO to give those boxes out for free.

08-06-2011, 01:27 PM	#8
thechrisdotcom . Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 601 Trading: (2)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading Do you guys insure your packages? Because when it asks about if your contents is anything you're not supposed to send, do you still insure it? Because what if something happens and then they say, "well you're not supposed to ship those in the first place."

08-06-2011, 02:32 PM	#9
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading I dont ever insure my packages unless its something really valuable. __________________

08-07-2011, 01:20 AM	#12
Angry_Pirate Traveler Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: J.T. Location: Indiana Posts: 903 Trading: (40)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading This is good to know the post office is such a pain.

08-07-2011, 01:29 AM	#13
jsnake Have My Own Room Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: Jake Location: Your mom's house Posts: 1,309 Trading: (22)	Re: Shipping Question v. trading You would be surprised by how many USPS employees have no idea what is okay to ship and what is not. No matter what they tell you shipping cigars is okay.