MY USPS story

[snert]

You might think to read post #1. You owe the Gent an apology.

It's not an issue. I recognize that everyone, even the most diligent readers, sometimes miss a sentence, or nuance, or meaning. Or the writer thinks he was saying something clear, but it were not...

But thanks for my defense non-the-less.

 

[1shot]

I have always used the phrase "metal machine parts" when using the USPS. so far, so good.

 

[M-61]

I trusted that the PO girl know the rules because , well, it is her job to assign the proper postage.

Trusting the government?
Now that’s way beyond risky.

 

[demarpaint1]

I was told by a friend to use Pirate Ship to ship via USPS and UPS. I pack and print the label at home, weigh it if needed, it's a little cheaper and if they ask if it's a hazardous material I say no, and don't elaborate. I hope I didn't jinx myself but it has worked out well so far.

 

[dellet]

Two weeks ago I sent a couple empty cases in a bubble lined manila mailer to a fellow here on AS to help him determine exactly what chamber he had. I took it to USPS locally. They weighed it. I tlold them exactly what was in it...brass parts...and paid $1.50 for general 3 day postage.

It was returned to me yesterday, after lanquishing in ...hmmm...East Bejesus?....with a postage due of 4.05 dollars and a note saying "when adding hard non-bending items to your packages, Parcel Rates required."

I thought that is what I was trying to do when I went in to the PO and sent it.

GRRRRRRRRRRRR

USPS sucks

About once a year I’m on the receiving end of this type of mal. I go to pick up a parcel at my PO Box and there’s a card for a parcel to be picked up at the counter. Go to the counter and it’s postage due. Protesting having to pay after the sending PO determined the price and was paid in advance, essentially a contract for delivery at that price was agreed upon goes nowhere. Logic goes out the window.

I am always given the option of having the parcel returned to the sender, who pays the difference, then sends the parcel back to me. So the parcel travels the route three times for one fare. When I question the sanity of the process, the local post master proudly proclaimed he’s a stickler for rules and follows them to the letter. Any one working for him would be written up if a postage due parcel is returned to the post office. Well to me that’s a challenge and it’s game on.

Those questions they ask when you mail a package?
I answer completely honestly in an effort to make sure I pay the correct price and no one gets in trouble. The conversation goes something like this.

Is it liquid, flammable, perishable?
How hot will it get in your possession? It has a melting point of X degrees.

The box and packaging paper will ignite if exposed to open flame, I assume since I purchased those materials from USPS they meet USPS specifications. Is that correct? Do you intend o expose this box to open flame while in your possession?

How long will it take for you to deliver the parcel? The contents should be good for a few thousand years. The box if cared for properly the same. If the box gets saturated with liquid, as many that you deliver seem to get, the life of the box is shortened considerably. Do you expect to submerge this package in liquid?

Is it poisonous or hazardous?

Not poisonous but probably toxic, it’s not intended for human consumption. Swallowing it would certainly be hazardous. Maybe with small bite it would be ok. There is packing paper, easily causing paper cuts if handled improperly.

My favorite question, Is it fragile?

Under normal/proper handling conditions, I would say no. In the past I have had steel bars delivered bent with tire tracks on the package, radiators delivered that have had a pallet jack or forklift driven through the box. Boxes caked with mud that were clearly left outside in dirt during rain where the shipping boxes were compromised and electronic devices ruined. What is your definition of fragile? What is considered proper handling?

Just trying to answer your questions honestly sir.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I gave away several modified cases for the Hornady tool. Since I gave them away for free, I tried to save on shipping. I put each one in a tiny zip lock pouch and just put that in a regular envelope with a regular stamp. I did write on the outside of the envelope "HAND CANCEL". All of the cases were delivered except one which was returned to me. I reshipped it and it went through.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Next time I ship a package, after their questions, I may ask them if they have a security clearance ? Or will there be felons handling the shipment?

 

[coldboreshot]

Last week, I dropped 3 guns off at my FFL to be shipped to Terre Haute Indiana. He sent them USPS. I quietly freaked, but bit my tongue and crossed my fingers. I found out yesterday that they made it!

Your one of the few lucky ones.

 

[Wingback73]

Why would a padded envelope go "through" a machine? Scanned by one, sure, just like every other piece of mail. But since padded envelopes can have all different stuff in them, I would never expect it would need to go "through" a machine any more than a box would.

 

[Wingback73]

Side note, USPS, UPS, and FedEx all suck, just in different ways. Amazon isn't much better. I had Fedex leave a box leaning up against a sign on my garage door that reads "PLEASE LEAVE PACKAGES UNDER BARN OVERHANG" which has an equally large sign indicating where (along with snacks and water for the driver).

Ridiculous

 

[divingin]

I was told by a friend to use Pirate Ship to ship via USPS and UPS. I pack and print the label at home, weigh it if needed, it's a little cheaper and if they ask if it's a hazardous material I say no, and don't elaborate. I hope I didn't jinx myself but it has worked out well so far.

Check out the fines for not declaring Hazmat when shipping stuff. It's not trivial.

Personally, I don't ship stuff out enough to worry much about who's cheapest. For me it's more of a "how do I get it there" question.

 

[demarpaint1]

Check out the fines for not declaring Hazmat when shipping stuff. It's not trivial.

Personally, I don't ship stuff out enough to worry much about who's cheapest. For me it's more of a "how do I get it there" question.

I've never shipped anything considered a Hazardous material, which is why I said no. As far as elaborating, no one asked what I was shipping. Some people get carried away and strike a conversation, I'm not that person.

 

[Gundog64]

Still waiting for a "Priority Mail" envelope to be delivered, was supposed to be there in 3 to 5 days. Now on day 7 it's been sitting at a distribution center in Maryland for 3 days now. They should have to refund the postage if it does not make it to the destination on time.

 

[Shooter13]

Those lighting bolts look like Harry Potters scar!! ;-)

 

[Ranger188]

Here's my story, Hasn't even made it to Chicago area and then on to me.
Start at bottom and work your way up.

In Transit, Arriving Late

May 6, 2025, 9:28 am

In Transit to Next Facility
May 6, 2025, 6:32 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
May 6, 2025, 3:21 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
May 4, 2025, 6:20 pm
In Transit to Next Facility

May 4, 2025, 3:39 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
LOUISVILLE KY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 4, 2025, 12:02 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
LOUISVILLE KY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 4, 2025, 11:47 am
In Transit to Next Facility

May 4, 2025, 10:44 am
Departed USPS Facility
CINCINNATI, OH 45246

May 4, 2025, 9:20 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
CINCINNATI, OH 45246

May 3, 2025, 8:39 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
CINCINNATI OH DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 3, 2025, 8:11 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
CINCINNATI OH DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 3, 2025, 4:51 pm
In Transit to Next Facility

May 3, 2025, 3:50 pm
Departed USPS Facility
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219

May 3, 2025, 3:39 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
INDIANAPOLIS IN DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 3, 2025, 9:19 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219

May 2, 2025, 2:47 pm
In Transit to Next Facility

May 2, 2025, 10:13 am
In Transit to Next Facility

May 2, 2025, 7:08 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 2, 2025, 4:13 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 2, 2025, 12:42 am
In Transit to Next Facility
May 1, 2025

Departed Post Office
ANNISTON, AL 36205
April 29, 2025, 4:30 pm

USPS picked up item
ANNISTON, AL 36205
April 29, 2025, 2:17 pm

Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
ANNISTON, AL 36205
April 29, 2025, 1:16 pm