Originally written by Shadow1100T on 4/6/2009 12:36 AM
This is Cool
http://www.vertical-visions.com/_temp/postagepaid/index2.html
Great idea. I've got just the nuisance in mind too. I canceled AARP
years ago but they continue to send me stuff semi weekly although I
don't pay them membership fees. Their latest ploy is granting me a
free years trial membership so they can spam me with their damned
insurance offers. A dead skunk would be great.......8
Originally written by Shadow1100T on 4/6/2009 1:24 AM
This is Cool
http://www.vertical-visions.com/_temp/postagepaid/index2.html
I have done this to get Franklen Mint off my ass
It was great
LOL~!!! Forget that dump run where I have to pay $1.00/ 40 lb bag for garbage. Now I CAN SEND 72LB FOR FREE. Thanks for the hint.
While it's probably legal to load the Post Office with excessively heavy packages, I wouldn't waste my time. Life is too short to be sitting around packing boxes full of waste material on the theory that "they deserve it" and "it's postage free".
Some of us may live forever but I don't intend to waste my time doing silly stuff like this. I have weekly garbage collection and biweekly recycling collection at my place so it's no big deal.
I don't like junk mail any more than others but the post office needs the revenue. Without the extra mail that they carry in the way of admittedly unwanted ads, brochures, sales offers and so forth, they would either be out of business or the stamp price would have to be around $2.00.
Of all the public agencies that I've dealt with, the Post Office has been the ONLY ONE that has served me well and consistently. The only letters that have had problems were when I put the wrong address on or inadvertantly failed to apply proper postage and even those came back to be reworked because I used my correct return address so I could fix the problem and resend them. When I use priority mail, I am constantly amazed at how quickly and efficiently my packages are delivered and received. I can even track them and make sure that the receipient gets them. I don't intend to place any more burden on the Post Office than necessary. They do a good job for me and I take the junk mail with the good, all of it with a smile.
One thing that you can do is to get a P.O. Box like I did many years ago. Because I am a professional, I don't publish my home address. I use the P.O. Box for all general mail. For some reason, almost all of the spam mail comes to the P.O. box and I get very little at home. When I pick up my mail, usually once a week at the Post Office, I simply pull out the important items and then slide the junk mail into one of two large receptacles kindly provided by the Post Office for that purpose. The result is less stress and no unwanted mail at home.
So have at it and knock yourselves out. I can visualize some of you out at the rear of grocery stores on Saturday morning picking up boxes with which to pack your old garbage and junk to send to the spam mailers. Believe me, they won't care what you do and, when they see a box such as you are sending, it will probably get tossed. They aren't stupid and people do this all of the time. When they see your postage free envelope taped onto a banana box, it goes right into the dumspter. They aren't sending you packages and don't expect to receive any.
The people who do it don't have much of a life. They are just stuffing boxes all the time and driving them to the Post Office. It doesn't sound like much fun to me.
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Place all abuse, denigration, rude comments, derisive discussions of my probable ancestry and general flaming belos this double line for easy deletion.
Thanks.
Originally written by gnm109 on 4/7/2009 10:37 AM
Of all the public agencies that I've dealt with, the Post Office has been the ONLY ONE that has served me well and consistently.
I'm glad you have good luck, but I would say you are in a distinct minority. We have had so many problems with the PO, that I am ready to stop using them. Yesterday I received a part for my Moto Guzzi. Post marked on March 3 in Lakeville, MN and sent by Priority Mail. That Post Office is about 60 miles from here. It took 34 days to arrive. The worst thing about it is that even though the Post Office stamped their mark on it On March 3, their response is that the sender probably lied about when he sent it.
I ship a lot of stuff. I have customers in Canada who willingly pay the extra border fees to get stuff from UPS or Fed EX because they say at least then they have recourse if something goes wrong. I had them refuse to pay a claim on an antique cuckoo clock sent to Alaska. Although the box was delivered crushed and with a muddy boot print covering the postmark, the PO insisted that the package must have been delivered for shipping in that condition. The buyer actually had to hire a lawyer and bring suit to collect his money from the insurance. Then they tried to claim we had over-insured the package and it wasn't worth what it was insured for, even though he had the receipt showing what he paid at auction.
As I said, I'm glad you have good luck with them.
Originally written by SidecarMike on 4/7/2009 1:28 PM
Originally written by gnm109 on 4/7/2009 10:37 AM
Of all the public agencies that I've dealt with, the Post Office has been the ONLY ONE that has served me well and consistently.
I'm glad you have good luck, but I would say you are in a distinct minority. We have had so many problems with the PO, that I am ready to stop using them. Yesterday I received a part for my Moto Guzzi. Post marked on March 3 in Lakeville, MN and sent by Priority Mail. That Post Office is about 60 miles from here. It took 34 days to arrive. The worst thing about it is that even though the Post Office stamped their mark on it On March 3, their response is that the sender probably lied about when he sent it.
I ship a lot of stuff. I have customers in Canada who willingly pay the extra border fees to get stuff from UPS or Fed EX because they say at least then they have recourse if something goes wrong. I had them refuse to pay a claim on an antique cuckoo clock sent to Alaska. Although the box was delivered crushed and with a muddy boot print covering the postmark, the PO insisted that the package must have been delivered for shipping in that condition. The buyer actually had to hire a lawyer and bring suit to collect his money from the insurance. Then they tried to claim we had over-insured the package and it wasn't worth what it was insured for, even though he had the receipt showing what he paid at auction.As I said, I'm glad you have good luck with them.
C'mon, you're not really glad about my good luck with the Post Office, are you? You also can't know whether I'm in the minority or not. Actually, most all of the items and letters mailed in the U.S. are delivered promptly, as far as anyone knows.
It seems that you completely changed the subject to US-Canada shipping. Furthermore, I find it impossibe to believe that anyone would tell you that a smashed package was presented to the Post Office in that condition. That makes no sense.
In any case, the thread was originally about junk mail. I extended it somewhat to the Post Office's relationshp to junk mail. I wasn't talking about international shippng at all.
When sending things to Canada or buying things from Canadian sellers, all bets are off. I foolishly bought some hobby items from Canada once and it took seven weeks by Canada Post. I'll never do that again.
I've sold more than 250 items on eBay in the past 8 years and mailed every item by USPS. All were received intact. I guess it's just my style.
Regarding UPS, I bought a Lincoln Welder from a company in Ohio about three years ago. It was shipped by UPS and when it came, they had smashed it. Fortunately, Lincoln sent me another one by private carrier. I don't know much about Fed Ex. I never use them.
It's not unusual for me to be contradicted on the internet, though. That's what the internet is used for. In any case, I'll keep using the Post Office.
I didn't mean to contradict you. I was just suprised to hear someone say they've never had a problem with the Post Office. I usually list my auctions for small items and those of lesser value as USPS shipping and valuable stuff UPS. UPS requires a trip to town while USPS is simply print a label and put it in the box. Just the same, I receive frequent requests to use alternative shippers.
To get back on topic, I think the people who send those postage paid envelopes are billed for delivery, aren't they? I thought they paid a pittance for the stamp but were charged an additional fee for any that are returned to them.
I would think that dropping a wheel weight in to the envelope would cost them more money and encourage them to remove your name from the list as the website infers is it's purpose.
I just wish that would work with the Democrats. I thought the begging for money would stop now that they are in control. Lately it seems I'm getting more than I did before the election.
Originally written by gnm109 on 4/7/2009 12:37 PM
Of all the public agencies that I've dealt with, the Post Office has been the ONLY ONE that has served me well and consistently.
When I use priority mail, I am constantly amazed at how quickly and efficiently my packages are delivered and received.
I can even track them and make sure that the receipient gets them.
Another poster has already spoken on their efficency.
I will say my problem's with the postal service have been carrier related. The two family house I lived in where the carrier would just put everyone's mail in 1 mailbox although there were 2 that were plainly marked.
Then there was the horror story I had with certified letter that contained a check that was mailed from the same state maybe 50 miles away. If it had been sent regular mail it would usually take only 1 or 2 days. After 3 or 4 I contacted the sender who said, "The check is in the mail."
(Where have we heard this before?) They even gave me a tracking #, when I checked the tracking # all it said was, "an item was mailed from xyz post office on such and such a day." It did not list a destination, progressive stops, package weight or anything like that. Finally after about 10 days I come home to a notice on my door that this was the 3rd delivery attempt and after x#of days the letter was being returned to sender.
There had been a substitute mailperson covering my address, my regular carrier was on vacation. This person,
a: never left a delivery attempt on my door,
b: never logged in the delivery attempt which then would have shown up on the tracking system.
If their "tracking system showed an item's progress, I would have seen it had reached my local post office, x # of days previously.
The postal services competitors tracking systems do show progress. If I want to send something very important and valuable which I want to track, I'll use one of the shipping companys. This way I am assured it gets there and can be TRACKED accurately.
As to the original posters idea, I think it's great, I've been bombarded by some companies credit card offers, even though I'm on a FTC list not to get them. I've tried calling to get them to stop, and usually get someone in New Dehli, or Bangladesh, who replies, "We'll take your name off the list, but there may be some mailings in the system, so it takes appox 90 days." and 6 months later I'm still getting junk.
Originally written by SidecarMike on 4/7/2009 4:14 PM
I didn't mean to contradict you. I was just suprised to hear someone say they've never had a problem with the Post Office. I usually list my auctions for small items and those of lesser value as USPS shipping and valuable stuff UPS. UPS requires a trip to town while USPS is simply print a label and put it in the box. Just the same, I receive frequent requests to use alternative shippers.
To get back on topic, I think the people who send those postage paid envelopes are billed for delivery, aren't they? I thought they paid a pittance for the stamp but were charged an additional fee for any that are returned to them.I would think that dropping a wheel weight in to the envelope would cost them more money and encourage them to remove your name from the list as the website infers is it's purpose.
I just wish that would work with the Democrats. I thought the begging for money would stop now that they are in control. Lately it seems I'm getting more than I did before the election.
Well, if you are a conservative, I'm sure we'll get along better in the future. LOL.
As far as spending money, hang onto your hat. The dems are just getting started!
It could be that your local Post Office needs a good cleaning out. There are different work ethics from place to place. The local Post Office where I am is in a rural area and they are terrific. If you have had bad luck, I guess UPS would be OK for a substitute but I'm still reeling from what they did to my welder. I can't even imagine how they did it. The entire fromt of the welder was pushed back 3 inches!
Fortunately for me, Lincoln Electric took pity on me. They could have thrown me under the bus and told me to try to collect from UPS but they didn't. They gave me another welder and sent it out by a private carrier and he picked the broken one up for return.
By the way, Lincoln and Miller are still two of the best companies in the U.S. I own one of each and I must say, they will stand behind their prosucts.
Happy Trails!
By the way, Lincoln and Miller are still two of the best companies in the U.S. I own one of each and I must say, they will stand behind their prosucts.
Happy Trails!
Wow! You own one of each of the Lincoln and Miller companies! Which one?he,he,he... Watch out or the Dems may fire your CEO. 🙂
I have UPS break things, twice. Once a rather expensive framed print and once a Gas Grill. We shipped a Fire and Ice Travel Grill to the Dominican Republic. It arrived with the top pushed in. My buyer had paid over $400 for it so I was upset. I called UPS to find out how to file a claim. They basically told me to come in and get a check. Same thing the second time. In neither case did they want to see the damage, nor did they try to weasel out of anything. The print was creased, so that customer was given a full refund and kept the print. The grill top was replaceable, I filed for the cost of a new top, shipping to DR, and $75 for the guy's hassle of waiting for a replacement, pulling two pins, and replacing the top. He was very happy.
And I agree with you about Miller and Lincoln. I'm not a welder, but even I can work wonders with my little Lincoln wire feed. Much better quality than a Schumacher a friend brought me. It's been setting on the shelf for a couple years waiting for parts. He replaced it and brought it over thinking I could use parts off of it. So far I've used the roll of wire and the ground cable. :0)
And yes, I am a conservative. :0)
Originally written by SidecarMike on 4/7/2009 5:28 PM
I have UPS break things, twice. Once a rather expensive framed print and once a Gas Grill. We shipped a Fire and Ice Travel Grill to the Dominican Republic. It arrived with the top pushed in. My buyer had paid over $400 for it so I was upset. I called UPS to find out how to file a claim. They basically told me to come in and get a check. Same thing the second time. In neither case did they want to see the damage, nor did they try to weasel out of anything. The print was creased, so that customer was given a full refund and kept the print. The grill top was replaceable, I filed for the cost of a new top, shipping to DR, and $75 for the guy's hassle of waiting for a replacement, pulling two pins, and replacing the top. He was very happy.
And I agree with you about Miller and Lincoln. I'm not a welder, but even I can work wonders with my little Lincoln wire feed. Much better quality than a Schumacher a friend brought me. It's been setting on the shelf for a couple years waiting for parts. He replaced it and brought it over thinking I could use parts off of it. So far I've used the roll of wire and the ground cable. :0)
And yes, I am a conservative. :0)
Yeah, I'm not fooling myself about the Post Office. I have heard many horror stories. It's just not happened to me. Lucky I guess.
I haven't heard of a Schumacher welder. I have a lot of tools. Hobby workers such as myself are pretty much limited to Chinese stuff for machine tools nowadays due to the cost of things. There really aren't any affordable new manual machine tools made in America anymore. When it comes to welders, though, the prices for good American items are vey reasonable considering their capability and the useful life, which can be a lifetime if properly maintained.
I guess we're stuck with the Post Office 'cause it's really the only girl in town. Folks who want to return junk mail with tome old bike parts are really helping the Post Office in a way since the extra business will be paid for by the recipient.
The main thing that has really hurt the Post Office and caused some of the recent increases in prices is the widespread use of email and texting nowadays. Many people simply don't write regular letters anymore.
So to get back to the original premise of this thread. Sure, I guess it's OK to send junk mail back with old truck tires and cracked Harley cylinder heads. It's also a lot of work. LOL. It's not going to stop companies from sendng out junk mail, though.
As an employee of a shipping co, I've seen a lot of broken boxes. In the grand scheme of things a small percentage, but if it's yours it sucks. I will say a lot of the time it is because of the way it is packaged. Boxes get thrown on conveyors, slide down chutes, stacked one on top of the other in trailers, sometimes a box may be unloaded/loaded 4 or 5 times or more before reaching it's destination. Packing items in a box sufficient to put in your car or u-haul van to be moved accross town is not the same thing. I've light corrugated boxes full of books split open down the corners. Maybe the box has a burst strength of 100lbs. but what happens when you put 50# of books in it, till it's kinda stretched, tape the top and bottom and then it goes down a chute. The side splits, then it's UPS or FedEx, or the USPS's fault?
When I ship something I try to overpackage instead of skimping to save a pound or two, just my 2 cents.
I agree with you. I either overpackage or, in the case of the framed print, pay the UPS Store to do it for me.
