Yikes!! New USPS Rates Starting 5/14

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Tom McMillan

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I just looked at the rate increases at the USPS website (a PDF file of the new rates), and I'm somewhat confused. There appears to be new categories for mailing and different designations of First Class mail. There appear to be some fairly significant increases. Priority cheapest rate shows $4.60 which I know was mentioned in an earlier thread. It appears First Class letters are going to 41 cents an ounce. Then they show a Retail Flat First Class rate of 80 cents for one ounce (looks like for larger envelopes) and a retail First Class parcel rate (looks like for packages/boxes) of $1.13 for one ounce. There are also what are called discount rates??? So---does anyone have better understanding of the new rate system?? I mostly use First Class and haven't raised my shipping charge in 2 years, but will need to make sense of what I'll be charged now, and perhaps increase my charges.
 
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I just took a look at the new rates and found it very confusing. Many terms were used but not explained. I called a supervisor at the local PO and she was as uninformed as I am. What I deduced was that, to save money after the increase, I (and probably, WE) will be using more parcel post and less priority services. I won't be able to use click 'n ship but will still be able to print postage from home and order pick-up. Times for shipping/receiving from smaller businesses will increase. That or pay more, quite a bit more. An upside is that for small orders that weigh about 1/2 pound, parcel post will cost less than flat rate priority.
 
from what I see the is no more flat rates for box sizes except for under one pound, every thing else is a zone rate. like Frank said either more cost or more time, look like oops might be getting more business with some of those rates.

it is going to make bulk buys from ebay a lot more expensive, I can see most there charging shipping from zone 8 for shipping.

it also looks like we are going to have to weigh each box. instead of what fits in a box.
 
Everything goes up I have to be able to track what I ship and give decent timely service so a $1.00 more is not going to change the way I do business . Or how I place a order . I don't like price increases but what can you really do about it nothing . for a few cents less than abuck on a Lb they supply the boxes and I can use click and ship .. my time means somthing and free boxes is a big thing for us .. IMO only now ..[:D]
I llearned a long time ago in business just raise the price don't cut service customers know the prices are going up and a absorp it NO problem I have found ...now if this is a hobby for you and a couple a bucks shipping hurts then just go the slower route and nothing changes . it a get to you and a lot a the time just as fast ..

pipes
 
The difficulty here is trying to understand a new system for First Class Mail which is what I use mostly. It appears they've gone from one rate structure for First Class to 3 designations---letters, large flat envelopes, and packages--with significant rate differences. Will have to see if any postal employees can shed any light to make sure I can anticipate what I'll need to charge.
 
Page 17 of the new rates show flat rate boxes will be continued at the cost of $4.60 for flat rate envelopes and $9.15 for flat rate boxes.
 
Keep in mind that you can't get free "Carrier Pickup" unless at least one item is priority mail or express mail. By "Carrier Pickup" I am not referring to the carrier collecting you mail from the place they deliver, I mean picking up mail at a place other than pointof delivery.
 
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