US Postal Service - Rate Change Brochure

[jaywings19]

Well, I stopped by the post office to drop off whatever I can mail out before the May 14th rate changes go into effect. I picked up the brochure "explaining" the rate and packaging changes.

(sorry if this is not readable - I can e-mail a copy to you)

My issue has to do with high value cards being sent to Canada and other International destinations. Currently, my preferred method of shipping these is Global Priority Small Flat Rate Envelope ($4.25). It appears that this is being replaced by "Priority Mail International" (starting at $16).

For uber high-end cards, I usually sent Global Express Mail ($15 and up). It appears this service is now going to cost $22 and up.

So basically, your options are either take your chances with untrackable Air Mail or shell out $16+ for trackable Priority/Express.

I'm curious to hear from both USA sellers and Canadian sellers/buyer on the following issues:

USA Sellers
1. Will your "base" rate change above $3 for a single (low value) card?
2. On high value cards, what will your new preferred method of shipping be to Canada/Int'l?

Canadian Buyers
1. On highend purchases, will you think it's gouging if USA sellers have to charge $16+ for trackable shipping?
2. Are you willing to spend $16+ for trackable shipping on purchases of $100 or more?

Thoughts and comments are appreciated. Just trying to figure out the best approach to the new shipping that will not put me at chargeback risk, but not drive away good customers either.

 

[Megatron]

This stinks! I was also a heavy user of the small Global Priority Envelope to send to Canada for trades and higher end items off ebay. Now if it starts at $16.00, that is a HUGE jump. I guess for high end cards you really have no choice..

1. Base rate I might raise it to $3.50 max?
2. If it's for trade with overseas people, I might just make sure trades are high enough in value to make it worth the $16.00 cost. For ebay auctions I would stipulate if auctions ended over a certain amount ($100 of higher) that the buyer is RESPONSIBLE to pay for "Priority Mail International" shipping.

I just can't get over the abolishment of the little GPS envelope, I mean raise it up to $5.50-6.00 if you have to, I would still rather use that than the $16.00 one as it is just too excessive to me.. Just my 3 cents
L

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

I was just at the post office today and all the folks there were clueless. They couldn't even give me a straight answer for US shipping options. For example, I use 5" X 7" bubble mailers that with one card in them are 1.5 oz. Today those cost $.63 to mail to the US. On Monday, this is either going to cost $.97 or $.58 depending on if they consider a 5" X 7" bubble mailer an "oversized" envelope. I asked all 4 people at the Window what they thought and 2 said $.58 and 2 said $.97. I guess we will see how this develops...... Mike

 

[The Great Zo]

The word I got from the post office today, as well as the word Vegaspuck got from his local PO, is that bubble mailers are "packages" no matter what...

This will mean a price jump of about 2.5x the current rate!

...I will also note that the people at my post office were pretty much clueless as to how the new rate structure was actually going to work. They were especially clueless when I asked about sending bubble mailers internationally as "regular" mail. (i.e. not priority or express)

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

I guess we can look for $4 and $5 shipping charges to be the norm on eBay pretty soon even if it's a US seller shipping to a US buyer.

 

[WingnutRon]

I'm getting different info from my post office. (Of course who knows what's accurate at this point)

I'm told that as long as the bubble mailer is less than 3/4 inch thick, it is considered a large envelope and starts at 80 cents. (used to cost me .52 for a single card in a 5x7 bubble mailer to the states) If it's over 3/4 inch it's considered a package.

As for "Priority Mail International" those former small global priority small mailers now start at $9.00. (used to cost $4.25)

I hope my P.O. is accurate because some of the other rates I'm seeing on this board is scaring the heck out of me.

All I know is I'm avoiding the post office tomorrow. I have a feeling it's going to be one large clusterbleep.

Ron