I sold an item that is small (it is printed on a piece of paper), and could easily fit in a standard #10 envelope. I could have put a Forever Stamp on it as adequate postage, but for this particular item, I wanted a little more assurance of delivery, so when printing a shipping label online, I printed the label as a First Class Package, with Signature confirmation. Total cost to ship, $3.89, I think. There was no "first class letter" size available to print online.

I got a message from the buyer of the item today, and he told me that it was delivered as 'postage due', because it was shipped as a package rather than a letter (that's what his postman told him). He had to pay $3.53 to take possession of the package, and was not happy about that.

I've already refunded this surcharge and have also refunded the original shipping cost as a good-will gesture, so that's behind me. But, I'm a little flummoxed at the situation, as I've never had this happen to me before. I paid about $3.50 more than what I would have had to do, and the postman levied a surcharge? Is there any truth to what the postman told the recipient? I'll undoubtedly ship more items like this in the future, and I want to ship them correctly. Ironically, putting the piece of paper in a padded envelope still weighs less than an ounce and would probably qualify as a "package", so that may be the solution to this situation in the future.

Next time, go to the Post Office.

If it carried Signature Confirmation (SC) and didn't qualify to be shipped as a first class parcel, it was automatically upgraded to priority mail which is allowed to carry SC, and sent on postage due. Your buyer is telling the truth.

First class is split up into 4 type of mail: cards, letters, flats, and parcels. You clearly weren't sending a card. Letter prices apply to items weighing under 3.5 ounces and meeting all other criteria listed at [pe.usps.com] . Flat prices apply to items that meet the standards listed at [pe.usps.com] . Parcel prices apply to items meeting standards listed at [pe.usps.com] AND certain flat pieces.

See the rules on what can carry SC at [pe.usps.com] (section 12.2.2).

What ruled out your item for first class parcel qualification and caused an involuntary upgrade to priority mail and thus the postage due was probably 12.2.2.b: "Except as provided in 12.2.2c for machinable parcels, the parcel must be greater than 3/4 inch thick at its thickest point.." Next time you want to send this type of item and use Signature Confirmation, you can turn your envelope into a parcel which qualifies for delivery confirmation by putting a few packing peanuts or a few pieces of corrugated cardboard in it to make it thicker than 3/4 inch.

For any postal novices, all of the above holds true for Delivery Confirmation as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2013 05:23PM by TL.

good to know, TL. I'm sure the regulations are in place for a reason (to facilitate easier mechanical sorting?), but they don't always make sense to us laypeople!

I've learned something new today!

Yes, it sounds like you sent a First Class letter with Signature Confirmation but paid First Class package services postage with Signature Confirmation.

Since First Class letters aren't eligible for SC regardless of postage paid, the letter was sent Priority Mail, and all Priority mail, letters and parcels, qualify to use SC.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

12.2.3b and c denote the problem.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Could you have sent it certified with return receipt requested?

Quote
bruceko
Could you have sent it certified with return receipt requested?

Probably, but that would have required going to the Post Office and waiting in line. I like printing at home and then sending with the mailman or dropping off at the PO counter without having to wait in line.

Could you have sent it certified with return receipt requested?

Yes, knowing the correct postage. Businesses do it all the time.

However if done at a post office, the clerk stamps your Certified receipt form (not the Return Receipt) with the date of mailing. This can be used as proof of mailing, even in court.

But if you don't need that bit, it can be done from home.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.