Increased mail rates.

[WolfeMacleod]

OUCH!

I've always covered most shipping costs for my customers because I use USPS Priority Mail and Global Priority Mail. Packages in the US were typically $4.05 to ship, easy to absorb.
Packages internationally were generally about $9 to $12, still easy to absorb...
And besides, it was all tax deductable at the end of the year, so I had no problem with it, except to countries that did not take Global Priority Mail (like Italy)

Went to the Post today to ship the first international package since the rate increase..

Global Priority Mail has gone up 100%! so a $12 package to Spain now is $24. It's "International Priority" now...
Holy cripes!

Ad do that, they have removed Airmail and slow-boat surface mail.

I'll be putting a notice up soon...perhaps I'll cover 50%, which will put me back at absorbing the old postal rates, which I'm happy to do, and the forgiegn guys love that I didn't charge an assload for shipping.



One good side of this is that now they have an International Flat rate, up to 20 pounds...for about $37...and I can pack a lot of product in that box for my larger customers.

[RANDY P]

Yeah, I just got hit on priority shipping. All my priority mail stamps aren't good as is anymore.

rjp

[teenerted1]

don't forget they are doing dimensional calculations too. UPS and FEDEX started this earlier in the year. so instead of sending something in a flat envelope you will save by folding your documents and sending in a standard envelope. they are just catching up with the huge expenses in shipping these days...

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally posted by teenerted1
don't forget they are doing dimensional calculations too. .

HAH! I KNEW there was a good reason I ordered 300 of the larger VHS mailer sized boxes! Just perfect for packing the typical order into. Glad I can now use them for international shipments, where I could not before.

Yeah..the new "Flat Rate" boxes are dimesionally huge, but in all the wrong proportions.

Anyone overseas want a pair of used (but good) rear brake rotors from a 924S? I'll betcha I can ship 'em cheap...they're HEAVY!

[sammyg2]

How about we start drug testing people who work for the post office?
So far that is a no no, the union won't allow it.
All other major industries do it, why not the postal service? Because they would loose a third of their work force over night.
Did you know that is against the rules for a supervisor (or anyone else) to watch a letter carrier deliver mail unless they formally anounce to ther letter carrier that they intend to watch him do his job? in other words, no one can check on them unless they tell the letter carrier beforhand that they will be checking up on him, so he should be careful and behave himself. If they get caught doing something wrong and they were not formally notified that they were going to be observed, they cannot be punished.
Shameful, evil, sickening example of a union drunk with power.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally posted by sammyg2
How about we start drug testing people who work for the post office?
.

Probably for the same reason that the USPS does not have thier own planes. UPS and FedEx whined about it, and cried "Monopoly!" is my understanding...

Monopoly my rear. UPS, FedEx, DHL...they got thier own planes.

[aigel]

Originally posted by WolfeMacleod
OUCH!

Global Priority Mail has gone up 100%! so a $12 package to Spain now is $24. It's "International Priority" now...

Note that half the shipping takes place in another country. The dollar has gone down significantly vs. the Euro and you will have to cover that now.

Cheers, George