CoolMusic--I am in zone 6 from you. My daughter just moved out of SLC and UT. If you are interested in mailing bags of rice to me feel free to send a private message. I use these shops to mail care packages to my children.

Cool,

Count me in. I can always use more mail buddies.. I'm in 350, I suspect that would be zone 6 or 7.. but I didn't look it up. I'm taking a short break from setting up my new desktop computer. It's sooooo nice to be typing on a real keyboard again.

I did a shop today and Ground Advantage was an option to select as a service offered. I think they took your advice and updated the report!

The last two weeks the clerks have all only offered ground advantage or said “cheapest option”. When I say I want priority, they look at me crazy.

@whatwhatdb wrote:

Technically it's a new service named Ground Advantage, which phased out 3 prior services (Retail Ground, Parcel Select, and First Class), and it started in July.

As stated above, both the guidelines and the report need to be changed. The guidelines excuse of 'I want the insurance" no longer applies, so there's no logical reason to select Priority, if GA has the same estimated arrival, and often it is cheaper.

On the report, I believe "Retail Ground" is still an option, so technically you should be checking "Other" and typing in "Ground Advantage", but if they aren't bothering to update the report, it implies that it isn't a big deal to keep selecting RG.

I wrote about these new issues in the comments on a couple of shops when it first started happening, so they are aware. As for now, when a clerk says it's cheaper to use GA for the same results, I just say I'll take priority and leave it at that. I assume they assume I assume (ha) the fancier name means it's somehow better.

I wonder if there is any scenario that could even make priority a logical choice for short distances now, though? Like a certain item/weight, or other aspect, where priority would offer a benefit?

[goshippo.com]

Not at all stupid. The company wants to know if they mention Priority first. If the postal clerk thinks your package weight is under one pound the MSC cannot assess that part of the shop.
I am happy to hear that the post office will sometimes reimburse if the post office weighs your over one pound package incorrectly.
On the overweight side I have mailed packages between 2 and 3 pounds and received the full $14 even though the 2 lb reimbursement would have been less. I have never mailed anything 3 lbs or more.
The last few shops like this that I have done the new USPS rates are almost identical for ground vs priority. And the ground packages now include insurance. The only reason I can come up with as to why I need the package there in 2 days rather than the 3 or 4 days for ground is that it is a gift that needs to be there asap.
As to closed post offices, I recently did one that was closed even though this post office lists their hours online as 9-5 weekdays. I believe it closed due to only one staff member there that day who had to take lunch. I got to the door 3 minutes before the hand written sign said they were closing. It was not quite 30 minutes since my last visit. I rushed in and did the shop three or 4 minutes early as I could not wait around for the hour lunch to be over. They accepted the shop when I sent them a photo of the sign and also the website open hours. It seems like they have gotten more lenient with strange situations beyond our control.

@shawnthewoman wrote:

I shipped one light once and it was rejected, even though it was shipped Priority. The prevailing theory was that because it was less than a pound, the clerks don't mention Priority shipping. Stupid, I know.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2023 04:33PM by sandyf.

Yes, different scenarios have different rules!

Got fee paid from them today.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2023 12:32AM by gene.

Its interesting to read how the USPS use the shops as oversight as well as how the union reacts/has bargained so that clerks do not face disciplinary action. (Hence why service never really improves).

Same location..twice now..maybe even three times...package weighed at way under 1 lb. when I know it's well over 1 lb. I guess they don't care about calibrating scales. I even questioned it. Guy just shrugged like it's correct. I better get paid for it.

Just read the guidelines....they have NOT been updated to reflect that Ground Advantage includes insurance. It still says Priority is the only option that has insurance. They NEED to update their guidelines!!

I doubt they will add Ground Advantage as a shipping option. None of the scenarios allow anything except Priority Mail.

It is basically the hint as to why you want Priority that needs to change in the guidelines. the guidelines are fine from what I can see. I still would consider ground advantage or whatever it is called (the two shops I did recently just called it ground) to be ground on the check off list. The only difference is if you want to give a reason you are sending priority you can no longer use the insurance as a reason. Just say you want to make sure it will get there in time. I usually send a distance away so for the next town over it might be a bad excuse to use.

@guysmom wrote:

Just read the guidelines....they have NOT been updated to reflect that Ground Advantage includes insurance. It still says Priority is the only option that has insurance. They NEED to update their guidelines!!

The guidelines and the questions don’t match up. Ground Advantage is an option you can select when sharing what services the clerk mentioned.

I just tell the clerk I want priority and move on. Most don’t even blink an eye.

Once I tried to ship a package that was 34 oz at home but somehow was 8 oz at UPS store. Worried about
seemingly not following guidelines and thus not getting paid-- I adopted a holier than thou attitude and said I would feel guilty not paying the correct amount. I bought some office supply for $2.00 and was paid. Clerks don't even blink an eye when they value our time.

I always say no the client paid for priority so I have to send it that way to assure a good review on Depop.

I blame it on the fake wife name I put for the sender. I'll be like, "My wife said send this Priority and I'm not trying to be on her bad sad." Men postal workers get it, and women normally get a laugh out of it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2023 07:51PM by ServiceAward.

I have been as well. Permanently blocked they say.

@MsJudi wrote:

Same location..twice now..maybe even three times...package weighed at way under 1 lb. when I know it's well over 1 lb. I guess they don't care about calibrating scales. I even questioned it. Guy just shrugged like it's correct. I better get paid for it.

I have one location that's been like that for years. The same scale, but I'm super-aware now because I didn’t pay attention to the price once and the shop got thrown out.

@ckushner wrote:

I have been as well. Permanently blocked they say.

Did they give you a reason?