Silk Road forums
Discussion => Shipping => Topic started by: Appa on March 08, 2012, 02:38 pm
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I'd like to discuss shipping a small, smell-free package US to US via Priority flat rate boxes versus First Class.
Priority shipping offers (mostly) guaranteed fast delivery. However, it is many times more expensive than First Class mail, which is still relatively fast, but is sometimes delayed by a few days, unlike Priority (usually). Since Priority might spend less time in transit, it is arguably less inclined to be subjected to scrutiny along the way.
Other factors to consider:
--Priority is always a flat fee, so calculating shipping is a no-brainer. Though if you have a scale (most of us do), you can figure out your First Class shipping charges quite accurately, so this isn't that big of an issue to me.
--You can add Delivery Confirmation (DCN) or Certificate of Mailing to either. Many people seem to think you can't add a DCN to First Class mail, but this is untrue (proof [clearnet]: www.usps.com/ship/insurance-and-extra-services.htm? scroll to the respective service and check the "Compatible With" column).
--I don't know anything about Certificate of Mailing, but from a vendor's perspective, this seems ideal to prevent buyer fraud. As long as vendors can demonstrate they have mailed the package, their responsibility is over (assuming, of course, that they have impeccable, non-suspicious packaging). If someone knows more about using Certificate of Mailing, I'd be interested to know more. Particularly: how can a vendor prove that they shipped a specific package, and how easy is it to get a Certificate of Mailing (vs DCNs, which can just be grabbed by the handful off a PO counter)?
Relevant links (clearnet):
www.usps.com/ship/first-class.htm
www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-flat.htm
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Have I really covered everything so well that no one has anything to add? ;)
Someone must at least know more information about using a Certificate of Mailing...
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Put the sticker pay the fee. certified mail sends a notification to the sender with a copy of recipients signature. I don't think many vendors want to reveal their address.
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Put the sticker pay the fee. certified mail sends a notification to the sender with a copy of recipients signature. I don't think many vendors want to reveal their address.
I'm not talking about Certified mail, I'm talking about a Certificate of Mailing. It is proof that you mailed the package, not that it was received. Directly from the link I provided in the OP:
Certificate of Mailing: Have evidence that you sent the item when you say you did. This official record shows the date your mail was accepted. Certificates of mailing furnish evidence of mailing only.
-Only available at your Post Office.
-Don't lose the certificate. The Postal Service does not keep a copy.
This makes it sound like the shipper would have to go inside the Post Office and deal with humans in order to get a Certificate, so probably not the best option for SR vendors. Can anyone confirm this is how Certificates of Mailing work?
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This makes it sound like the shipper would have to go inside the Post Office and deal with humans in order to get a Certificate, so probably not the best option for SR vendors. Can anyone confirm this is how Certificates of Mailing work?
Yes this is how that works.
Anything with a DCN will eventually get scanned somewhere along the way.
If you need to prove you mailed something, take it to the counter and ask the clerk to scan it, or find a mail drop serviced by a post office that is known to be reliable with scanning.
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You can slap a DCN on anything provided you pay at least First Class Parcel Postage. For a one ounce package its something like 2.80. forget certificate of mailing:)