Unfortunately, lots of people don't understand how the post office exactly works. Let's say you sold a video game system on eBay, or you want to send some ceramic dolls to a friend of yours. Either way, shipping items is a process that you should get some background information on, rather than jumping right in. The biggest thing that angers a Postal Clerk is when you aren't prepared for something to happen.

Know the Process
The Post Office is the easiest way to ship things across the United States. Why? Simply because their service is price efficient, safe, and gets on time "most" of the time. There's a couple things you should know as to how the whole process works. First off, know what you're sending. If you're sending a bunch of books, you're better off shipping them as Media Mail, since Media Mail is designed for shipping paperback materials. I'll get into the different ways of sending things later. The biggest concern is that you have the address of the item of where it's being sent to. Without a formatted address, it will only delay the Post Office in getting the item to its destination. Always put your return address in the upper left hand corner, and sometimes it's smart to use additional services that the Post Office offers with packages. For example, maybe you want Insurance on an item. Then purchase insurance for the coverage amount on the item. That's mostly common sense.

Anyhow, before you even go to your local Post Office, make sure your item is packed well in a box. I'm going to put up a section on how to Package items very soon, so look forward to that. Anyhow, here's the different ways you can send items via the United States Postal Service. The USA is split into several zones that the post office ships to. If you live on the east coast, and you want to send something to California, than the distance of zones is going to determine how much it is to ship. Please note that Alaska and Hawaii have higher shipping costs since they aren't in the Continental US, so be aware.

• First Class Mail - This type of shipping relates to items that weight 13 ounces or less. You may only send items which meet that weight requirement, otherwise First Class Mail is not an option. First Class Mail is the priority way of sending things that weigh under 13 ounces. In most locations, it takes anywhere from 2-5 days, and is cheap, quick, and efficient. Items are rarely lost via First Class since most of the funding in the USPS goes to First Class Mail. There are 2 different types of First Class Mail. Letter Post, and anything bigger. I don't know the exact requirements, but if a package/envelope is not 3/4" thick, then that item is sorted with normal mail. If an item is any thicker (like a box), it's sent with the packages. I recommend First Class Mail to anyone who sells anything lightweight like a video game, fishing lure, or trading cards. Tons of things can be sent via First Class Mail.
• Priority Mail - Anything weighing over 13 ounces, and you want it sent fast, is normally sent via Priority Mail. Priority is the quickest way to get big packages across the countries. It's guaranteed to arrive within 2 days (although this sometimes isn't true, some items may take 3), and is usually shipped with better care. The flat shipping rate that Priority Mail starts at is $3.85. Please note, as packages get heavier, so does the cost of Priority Mail. That's the true disadvantage when sending things via Priority.
• Parcel Post - Anything that weighs over 13 ounces, and you'd rather save money than shipment speed, you're better off shipping via Parcel Post. Personally, I prefer shipping via Parcel Post since it usually arrives on time at its destination, and saves you a few dollars. Parcel Post is basically a downgraded Priority Mail, it usually takes anywhere from 3-10 days to arrive at most places, and you will save money. It's great though as most Parcel Post packages are handled with care. You must specify that you want to send something Parcel Post, since most Postal Clerks will automatically ring up Priority Mail to bring in more $$ for the Post Office.
• Media Mail - Media Mail is the special way of sending books, magazines, and paper pamphlets that would weigh an insane amount as a normal package. A stack of books alone can weigh well over 5 pounds, and you shouldn't be paying that extra money for a stack of books. The Post Office sends books and other things of that sort as Media Mail. Media Mail is very cheap, but takes a long time to arrive at most destinations (1-2 weeks). It's sort of how you get those brochures in your mailbox, that's how it's sent. Make sure you specify that you want to send a package of books via Media Mail, since most Postal Clerks will ring it up as Priority Mail. Media Mail is also good for sending heavy things like video game systems, lead weights, and so on. Just pack the items well since handling is poor with Media Mail.
• International Mail - The Post Office also will send items around the world, but for a bigger price. The world is split up into a couple regions including countries like Mexico, Italy, Hong Kong, and so on. There are several different ways of sending things via International Mail. You can send something as airmail letter post, which was designed for packages weighing 4 pounds or less. You can also send packages as airmail parcel post, which was designed for packages weighting 4 pounds or more. Both Airmail shipment ways usually take (4-10 days) for packages to arrive in their country. From there on, it's up to the country to get the package to the destination. You may only purchase Insurance with Parcel Post! Remember that. You cannot get insurance on packages weighing less than 4 pounds for international shipments. You may also send things via Global Priority Mail, but that costs more. There is also a cheaper supplement method called Surface Post. It's a much cheaper method, but it takes an insane amount of time to arrive (4-6 weeks), and is usually shipped on a slow boat to China. Anyhow, that's how international mail works.
• UPS Ground - UPS is the best way to send packages weighing 5 pounds or more in my opinion. For some reason, the USPS's postal rates get very expensive once you hit 5 pounds or more, and you're better off sending the package via UPS in my opinion. UPS automatically provides insurance up to $100 on all packages, and their shipping rates are fast (3-10 days via Ground). You can also have guaranteed 3-day, 2-day, and overnight services, but they're quite expensive. I've sent many things via UPS, and have yet to lose a package. UPS takes great care of their packages, provides automatic tracking, which shows you exactly where the item is. Avoid using UPS for packages under 5 pounds since the cost is too high to send it that way. If you want to send something via UPS, go to a local UPS retailer (which usually run inside of stores like Staples). You can find out more from their website.
• Adding Insurance to Packages - Insurance was designed by the post office to add protection to packages in case they're lost, destroyed, or damaged. If you have to purchase insurance with a package, it only costs a flat rate of $1.30 (covers up to $50 in damage). You must specify the coverage that you want on the package when you get insurance. If you need $50 or more coverage, then the insurance fee also rises to $2.30 (covers up to $100 in damage), and so on. Basically, get insurance on something important or you need protected. A lot of people are paranoid and always get insurance. The Post Office is very careworthy, try not to get insurance unless it's something VERY important.
• Delivery Confirmation - When you send a package through the Post Office, you have no way of tracking the item. Delivery Confirmation is a special thing you can have added onto packages so that you can check when they get delivered to their destination. This is useful for people who sell on eBay a lot (like myself), since it lets you confirm that the item arrived at its destination. It's proof that you have that the item did arrive, and you can use it against someone who says they never got their item. Delivery Confirmation consists of a neon green slip, which has a barcode and serial # on it. Basically, when the item is delivered, the barcode is scanned, and you check the serial # to check the status of the package. I purchase it on all my eBay packages, and it only costs $0.55.
• Fill out Forms Ahead of Time - When you visit your post office, they usually have counters where you can take these forms I'm talking about. You can take insurance, delivery confirmation, signature confirmation, and customs forms. To help the people at your post office, fill these forms out ahead of time with the most information possible. Some things can only be filled out by the clerks, but try to fill out as much as possible. This will help their job, and help you ship the items as quick as possible. Also, stick the forms onto the packages so the Postal Clerk doesn't have to do it for you. When I visit the Post Office, I always have my delivery confirmation forms placed on the package.

  Top Sites: