New requirement for USPS shops!
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Thanks for the suggestion of where to purchase a scale. I see they are very reasonabliy priced, plus it would be one more write off for taxes. I will putchase one if I decide i want to continue with these types of shops after tommorow. If i recall correctly some of the shops will require shipping to a particular zone, whereas the ones I am doing tommorow are anywhere but zone one. If thats the case I will have to seek shipping partners from the forum (as i have seen others do). I suppose there is nothing stopping us from shipping to an arbitrary address. We can even use a fake return address on the box. That might be kind of fun. I could purchase things from the dollar store and ship to some unsuspecting recipient with a note that says a stranger just wanted to wish them a great day. LOL. Am i overthinking this shop? Could i then write off the gifts as an expense?
Use a real address, even if it is just a random one you found on Zillow or Google Maps, because a non-existent address will show up on the clerk's computer as no such address and cannot ship it. I like the idea though of surprising a stranger with a cheap gift. I think that's called, "Paying it forward."@ValG wrote:
We can even use a fake return address on the box. That might be kind of fun. I could purchase things from the dollar store and ship to some unsuspecting recipient with a note that says a stranger just wanted to wish them a great day. LOL. Am i overthinking this shop? Could i then write off the gifts as an expense?
I never put my name on the return address, just the address. If shopping in a city far from my home, I sometimes drive around a minute in the post office neighborhood and find an actual address to use for the return address. I definitely write off any required non-reimbursed items that I shipped, but I doubt your "gift" would be tax deductible since it is not a job requirement. When the Dim Wgt shops required sending food to a food bank, I wrote off that food since it was a non-reimbursed job requirement. You can send papers, junk mail, pieces of cardboard, whatever to get the correct weight.
I have not done the new Hazmat shops, because I live in a zip code that is too far away from any potential shopping partners.
I can't tell you how creeped out and worried I would be to receive a random 'gift' in the mail from someone with no return address.
I have a postage scale, so I use it to make sure the package is at least 16 ounces. I actually report the weight that is on my receipt, assuming that their scale is more accurate than mine.
@Chix wrote:
I can't tell you how creeped out and worried I would be to receive a random 'gift' in the mail from someone with no return address.
I was just about to write a similar statement. In this day and age of terrorism and people worried about everything I would think random people would get totally scared if they received a package from an unknown...might even call the police and have the bomb squad come over. So find a buddy and avoid being on national tv if you pick the address of a really nervous person!
If you don't have someone to ship to and the zone requirements work for you, rather than send to a stranger how about sending to Give Kids the World. They have a great wish list on their website and many of these items would easily fit in with the box/weight requirements and may be bought at many of the grocery/convenience/office supply stores/etc that you are all ready shopping.
I do not get creeped out easily but honestly receiving a random "gift" from a stranger would be weird...and what would you send that would be appropriate and gift like without knowing the person.
I vote for find a buddy or consider gifting items to a charity.
Here is the link for Give Kids the World.
[www.gktw.org]
Liz
I do not get creeped out easily but honestly receiving a random "gift" from a stranger would be weird...and what would you send that would be appropriate and gift like without knowing the person.
I vote for find a buddy or consider gifting items to a charity.
Here is the link for Give Kids the World.
[www.gktw.org]
Liz
@sandyf wrote:
@Chix wrote:
I can't tell you how creeped out and worried I would be to receive a random 'gift' in the mail from someone with no return address.
So find a buddy and avoid being on national tv if you pick the address of a really nervous person!
That's what I think as well. Reminds me of the USPS shop I did in May and sent a package to my sister. Originally, because she likes cooking, I was going to send her a 15 oz can of stewed tomatoes....with padding and packaging, it came in right at 1.75 pounds. Then I got to thinking...better not!! I had images of the heat in the back rooms of the post offices causing the pressure to rise in the can, and then all of a sudden...BOOM! Exploding can of red goop in the post office....I told my sister I could just see us making the national news for some sort of threat to the Post Office...ha ha! So I changed it to a couple of mini pound puppies to give to ther grandson, and a small candle....worked out great. But seriously, I agree that getting a package from a stranger could cause problems/unwanted publicity.
@ValG wrote:
This will be my first USPS shop as well. I read through the guidelines. How do you figure out how much your package weighs? I used to have a cooking scale, but don't think it would work, if I can even figure out where it is. I was thinking that I will send a stack of paper in a poly liner. Does that sound feasible? I hate doing shops for the first time.
I found a food scale that goes up to 6 pounds at a second hand store for just a couple of bucks. Keep an eye out for them, I see them all the time.
@sojo917 wrote:
The email implied--->" A picture of what your ready to mail package looked like prior to shipping." This to me does not say "we must see the addresses". Nor would I ever photo the addresses for some third party to see.The requirements already asked for the recipients zipcode, so that to me is all they really need to know.
It is obvious, the picture must be taken before WE enter the USPS. Or are we taking the photo when we place the package on the counter. I don't see a problem if we are taking the before pic.
I think the new instructions say the picture has to show the two zip codes for the mailing address and return address.
LOL would indicate that i was joking about sending a package to a stranger. Trust me, i realize how scary our world has become. But, I'm also old enough to remember the days when you could have done that and not frighten anyone. Makes it all the sadder.
What the MSC is trying to prove with the return address zip codes, I don't know what.
We are charge postage based on where the PO is, and to where it is going. Legally, the Po will not handle a package that does not have a return address. So the return address can be the same as the mailing address. And that address is where we are paying for postage.
The receipt from the PO shows the zip code that the package is going. The Client wants no more work than necessary. They are busy trying to get fees raised not trying to get more work to look for.
We are charge postage based on where the PO is, and to where it is going. Legally, the Po will not handle a package that does not have a return address. So the return address can be the same as the mailing address. And that address is where we are paying for postage.
The receipt from the PO shows the zip code that the package is going. The Client wants no more work than necessary. They are busy trying to get fees raised not trying to get more work to look for.
The client is the post office. Why would they want to get fees raised?
Postal fees not MSC.
Have you notice that even though the price of stamps went down, other postal services went up.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2016 03:13PM by sojo917.
Have you notice that even though the price of stamps went down, other postal services went up.Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2016 03:13PM by sojo917.
My guess is that the msc as a proxy for the post office is trying to ascertain that you are sending the correct package out...based on the scenario you are using and that it meets the requirements. They are probably also trying to prevent a shopper from taking one or two "correct" box pics and then just using any box with markings etc on it when they go to the post office. ...I am sure there are some shoppers out there that try to get away with incorrectly done packages. So they are making it harder to do that.
@sandyf wrote:
My guess is that the msc as a proxy for the post office is trying to ascertain that you are sending the correct package out...based on the scenario you are using and that it meets the requirements. They are probably also trying to prevent a shopper from taking one or two "correct" box pics and then just using any box with markings etc on it when they go to the post office. ...I am sure there are some shoppers out there that try to get away with incorrectly done packages. So they are making it harder to do that.
Well that won't work for me because 90% of the packages I send are an 8x8x8 box addressed to my daughter in Fl. I always ise the same box and mailing labels. That said who knows where I am when I remember to take the picture... So the backgrounds probably vary.
Liz
I genrally buy boxes in bulk (25 at a time) online at Staples because it is easy, and I can get the odd size boxes I want / need. I scan the receipt, and submit the same receipt 25 times. Each time, I charge 1/25th of the total cost. When I occasionally buy 3 or 10 boxes somewhere, I follow a similar procedure. Buying 1 box at a time is just too much of a nuisance for me since I sometimes do dozens of these shops in a single month.
@COMystery wrote:
I picked up my first two of these shops. They seem so popular, I figure they must be quick and easy. But, I do have one question....so far. What proof do you have to provide for the box reimbursement? It seems logical to purchase more than one box at a time. Do you provide them the receipt for say 12 boxes and they just figure it out from there? Do most of you purchase the boxes at Walmart? Well, I will read the full guidelines (I've only glanced through so far)....but first things first, Big Brother is on!
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
@myst4au wrote:
I genrally buy boxes in bulk (25 at a time) online at Staples because it is easy, and I can get the odd size boxes I want / need. I scan the receipt, and submit the same receipt 25 times. Each time, I charge 1/25th of the total cost. When I occasionally buy 3 or 10 boxes somewhere, I follow a similar procedure. Buying 1 box at a time is just too much of a nuisance for me since I sometimes do dozens of these shops in a single month.@COMystery wrote:
I picked up my first two of these shops. They seem so popular, I figure they must be quick and easy. But, I do have one question....so far. What proof do you have to provide for the box reimbursement? It seems logical to purchase more than one box at a time. Do you provide them the receipt for say 12 boxes and they just figure it out from there? Do most of you purchase the boxes at Walmart? Well, I will read the full guidelines (I've only glanced through so far)....but first things first, Big Brother is on!
I bought in bulk too. My receipt had a ton of information on it that could easily confuse. So, I put at the bottom in bold sharpie, "25 boxes at 1.02 per box."
When I use a receipt from multiple boxes I not only write the total cost per box on the receipt itself like a-scho does but I scan the receipt each time attached to the middle of the same piece of plain white paper. I start a list of job numbers at the top of the plain white paper above the receipt and then just add to the bottom of the list with the new job number each time I am charging to that receipt to show the msc exactly which jobs I have used this particular receipt on.
I generally have 4 boxes on a receipt but with 25 boxes I would just tape the receipt further down the page to be able to list all 25 job ID's I used it for above it. That way I can keep track of how many times I used it for myself and the msc can double check if they think I might have double dipped on box receipts.
I generally have 4 boxes on a receipt but with 25 boxes I would just tape the receipt further down the page to be able to list all 25 job ID's I used it for above it. That way I can keep track of how many times I used it for myself and the msc can double check if they think I might have double dipped on box receipts.
That's a smart technique, @sandyf.
I might do something similar, but digitally add the shop number each time and then save the receipt, so I didn't have to physically scan it again. Great idea!
I might do something similar, but digitally add the shop number each time and then save the receipt, so I didn't have to physically scan it again. Great idea!
Shopper in California's Bay Area
I also buy boxes in bulk, I take one picture of the reciept and submit it for each shop. I put a small check in pencil on the original reciept every time I submit a copy of the reciept pic. When each purchased box has a check by it I file the reciept.
@CaliGirl925 wrote:
That's a smart technique, @sandyf.
I might do something similar, but digitally add the shop number each time and then save the receipt, so I didn't have to physically scan it again. Great idea!
I'm not as smart as you think...I have no idea how to digitally add the shop number and even if I did I think I would find it more time consuming than using my scanner which sits on the desk right next to my computer. Of course all you digitally advanced shoppers probably use all those newfangled devices like smart phones and tablets and laptops to do your reports. lol
.37 for a box at W*M here. I think I'll start sending them to schedulers (not for IPSOS).
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
I've asked the scheduler if just showing the zip codes is ok but I've not received an answer. Does anyone know the answer to this? thanks
My scheduler said don't have to show entire box; just the zip codes.
The guidelines state that you can block the addresses. They only need to see.the two zips. I placed small pieces of paper over the addresses before taking the picture. I submitted yesterday so I should know within the week if they were accepted. LOL
I just spent over 30 minutes in line and got to the front and the clerk could not find the address I was sending to on her computer. She was so nice and looked up various possibilities of an address and none of them worked. So I came home, called my friend and found I had transcribed the street number wrong. The clerk had wrapped three feet of priority tape around my box. It damaged the box when I pulled it off but I taped it up with clear tape and took my pic again. I decided not to return to the po today as I think this nice clerk will see me and wave me forward ruining my chance for correct timing on my 2nd attempt at this shop. Today's job is not working out very well. I will go again on Saturday and hope the clerk has forgotten my face when she sees me on line. The zips were correct the first time around. So frustrating...
can anyone please advise where I could purchase the special DIM size boxes? I've checked a few stores and can't find the specific/allowed sizes. thank you!
There are some other po threads where people mention places. I get mine from Box city but they are local. People have mentioned Walmart. I have seen the 14x14x14 at Office Depot. Some buy them online and get many at a time. check some of the other threads out for more ideas.
I get them from my local Kroger store (Kroger, Smith's, Fry's, etc.)
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