Is anybody else having problems printing postage from the USPS site. I use the site since it saves my buyers postage cost but all day today it would not let me sign on even when I was using their temporary password. Finally I got another email address and registered a new account. I got all the mail labels done but when I went to pay I was rejected. The credit card company is accepting the charges but then the Post Office reverses the charge because of a bad zip code which can't be. Next I tried to use PayPal but that got rejected as well.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I noticed that USPS send me an email about a new account, but I haven't used it. I use PayPal Shipnow as it allows you to print all varieties of postage, including First Class Parcel and Parcel Select, not just Priority Mail. It's been a long time since I've used USPS to print postage.
I received the same email. Haven't logged in to my account yet to find out what's going on.
I just logged in, it had no problem getting me to the pickup scheduling page and filling in my info, so it's not totally broken.
I noticed that USPS send me an email about a new account, but I haven't used it. I use PayPal Shipnow as it allows you to print all varieties of postage, including First Class Parcel and Parcel Select, not just Priority Mail. It's been a long time since I've used USPS to print postage.
I was not aware of this.
Does "Free Carrier Pickup" still require Priority Mail? (My mailbox is out by the curb .... I need my letter carrier to come to my door to get outgoing packages)
Matt
You need to have at least one piece of Priority or Express mail to get the free pickup. Of course, if they're delivering a package, they'll take them as well. If you get to know your mailman and treat him nice at Christmas, he'll pick them up anytime, I just leave a note in the box.
I typically put small first class packages in the mailbox, just get a large "rural" style and you can fit pretty big stuff in it.
I haven't used the home shipping program yet, but twice now, when I calculated shipping on line, I got a cheaper rate at the PO, one was a $6 difference. I thought it was cheaper to ship from home?
Don
The part of the city I live in is served by a post office in an adjacent city, both suburbs that are next to each other. Sometimes if I list my correct city as my address some sites will tell me my address is incorrect and insist I use the city where the post office is located. Either one works and I get my mail either way, but the post office has it wrong in their database. Just wondering if you could be running into something like that with the post office zip code rejection?
John
Thanks for the tip on PayPal Shipnow. I have one lable done and will go onto the next few.
Al
I use USPS and Pay Pal and both work just fine for me. For now anyway.
Chief Bob (Retired)
I haven't used the home shipping program yet, but twice now, when I calculated shipping on line, I got a cheaper rate at the PO, one was a $6 difference. I thought it was cheaper to ship from home?
Don
I can't imagine how that happened, it's never been my experience.
I havent used the USPS since I got my UPS commercial account. Like a 40%discount from the retail rates
I handed priority packages to the mail man or lady when they deliver mail. I normally do give the carrier a little gift at Christmas but this year we had someone differnt like every week or two.
I had a very bad event happen to me a few years ago.I had ordered and paid for a few mth cars.Well as time went by I called ups.I used the tracking system they have.The package was deliverd to me.But I did not have it so I waited a few more days.Still no trains then some thing to go check around.I live near a house that once belong to a now deceased relative.Well I found it at the abaned house.I was first shocked then angry because any body could see.That the house is no body lives there any more.I was so angry that I did not order any more trains for a while.At least as for as using ups goes.
I had UPS leave a package at my mailbox last year. Keep in mind that my mailbox is about 300 feet from the house at the road. It was just leaning against the pole. When I got a delivery notification, I called them and asked where they delivered it to, they just kept saying "to your address". Next day when I got the mail, I found it. My USPS guy brings any packages that don't go in the mailbox up to the porch. They don't get wet, and they're unlikely to get legs!
Al Galli posted:John
Thanks for the tip on PayPal Shipnow. I have one lable done and will go onto the next few.
Al
Al,
With PayPal Shipnow, can you only do 1 label at a time or multiple? I have hundreds of identical packages to ship out to hundreds of different people/addresses. Will PayPal Shipnow work for that? Does PayPal Shipnow provide the same discount as if you use the Clink-n-Ship on the USPS website?
Stu
Stu I do not know the answer. It looks like there were some business services availble on the web sit but I did not check them out.
John
I agree. USPS is far superior to UPS. I have never had a damaged package from the Post Office but I have had some from UPS that looked like a piano had been dropped on it.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I noticed that USPS send me an email about a new account, but I haven't used it. I use PayPal Shipnow as it allows you to print all varieties of postage, including First Class Parcel and Parcel Select, not just Priority Mail. It's been a long time since I've used USPS to print postage.
John:
I use PayPal but never looked at the shipnow function. I have always tried to figure out how to get USPS First Class or Parcel Post from the computer. You solved a major issue for me!
Thanks
Joe
* * * * UPS FRAUD ALERT * * * *
Click the link below. Then read "View Examples of Fraudulent Emails"
I have home pickup for my ebay packages. Doesn't matter wheather I have 1 or 10 packages. I have no problem with usps. I print postage every day with no problems.
Yep, I was really pleased a couple years back when I found out I could print postage for First Class parcels, it solved a major issue for me as well.
I had one claim with USPS, and it was resolved satisfactorily. I was shipping some coal loads, and insured the package for the value. when the package arrived, several of the loads were damaged, and it was obvious that the box was mishandled. By following the claim instructions, (photos of the damaged carton and contents by addressee at his branch, and my contacting the post office from my end), the claim was settled, less shipping. I've never used UPS or Fedex, so I cannot compare cost or service.
I noticed the new format, interesting.
Don
Everyone needs to pay attention to the difference between USPS (US Postal Service a.k.a. Post Office) and UPS (United Parcel Service.) They are not they same. One is operated by Uncle Sam, the other by a publicly traded commercial business.
I don't ship much, fortunately, but when I do, I drive to the post office and send it from there. The USPS is slow and iffy but I don't really like or trust UPS. I have a large old rural mailbox that takes a lot of smaller packages, the larger ones are dropped at my back door about 175 ft from the road. UPS usually brings it up the lane too but with the Xmas season, who knows.
The USPS never leaves packages at my mailbox, they bring them to the house. If it fits in the mailbox, they do put them in.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I had UPS leave a package at my mailbox last year. Keep in mind that my mailbox is about 300 feet from the house at the road. It was just leaning against the pole. When I got a delivery notification, I called them and asked where they delivered it to, they just kept saying "to your address". Next day when I got the mail, I found it. My USPS guy brings any packages that don't go in the mailbox up to the porch. They don't get wet, and they're unlikely to get legs!
In the last few weeks I noticed a change with USPS that is helpful. In times past when I would check package tracking it would simply say delivered. Now when when I have a package coming tracking not only shows its delivered but it will tell me specifically where the package is at ie, front door, side garage, back door of shop etc.
I have for several years now always compared USPS, UPS, and FedEx. In most cases, FedEx is less and in some cases it has been half of USPS Priority Mail and UPS (not overnight.)
FedEx is almost always 2 days or 3 days for long distances. It also includes tracking and some insurance. If you ever have to try to collect on damaged goods with USPS, you will never use them again. I tried to collect on a post war Lionel coal tower that I bought through eBay. They told me to mail it back to the shipper at my expense, then the shipper would take it to his post office for claim processing. WHATTTT? I gave up after about two weeks of dealing with them..