tracked packet

[Former_Member]

just curious to know what, if anything people are doing with/about the new tracked packet option? i checked at my local po and it will roughly double my shipping costs (actual not posted) to use it. right now my shipping costs are already subsidized fairly heavily in my item cost, since otherwise it was a barrier to sales. i can't see people paying 2-3 x's more just to get tracking, but i was wondering if i should offer the option, and if so what is the best way to offer it?

[cindylouwho2]

most of my items go light packet, so I have not considered tracked packet. If a buyer was interested in tracking, I would offer it, but otherwise if I were uncomfortable self-insuring a package, I would purchase insurance from third parties such as Insurepost:
http://www.insurepost.com/rates.asp

[castillejacotton]

I look at the tracked packet but I am not sure why anyone would want pay twice the postage just to get a tracking number. For me it is probably cheaper to use expedited which gives a tracking number.

[PinkSkullCA]

So, according to Donna at CP, the ground option for light packet is being phased out, and there will only be air ship, but it will be one rate, versus rate to location, and will include coverage and tracking..
Haven't had a chance to see what the actual increase in $$ is though!

[cakeadoodledoo]

I have used the tracked package twice now. Only because it is supposed to be 6-8 business days instead of the 8-10 for expedited.
I use it mostly when people want tracking and don't want to pay for the hefty xpresspost cost to upgrade.

[Former_Member]

I have always use expedited. It has a tracking number and then I will always have proof of shipping! Once I mail an item then my responsibility is done. Also, since I ship mostly glass items, I think the faster it gets to it's destination the better! I have shipping costs partially absorbed by item cost. I haven't had a complaint about prices or shipping costs yet.

[cindylouwho2]

I have been told that you can only get tracked packet online until Feb 11. I had a customer that wanted it today (it would be cheaper than expedited for the weight & only $6 more than small packet, plus it carries insurance which small packet no longer does) but have been told not of offer it. Has anyone gotten it at the post office or did you just buy it online?

[cindylouwho2]

Ellen Louise Rogers from Glasspansy says
I have always use expedited. It has a tracking number and then I will always have proof of shipping! Once I mail an item then my responsibility is done.
===========
Items can still disappear with tracking - it happens all the time. If the package doesn't arrive, it is you who are responsible for refunding the customer then claiming the loss from CP. So your responsibility is never done til the package arrives safely.

[minibytes]

I think tracked packet will come in handy as a cheaper upgrade option for US orders around Christmas time next year, when customers tend to go insane and just throw money at you to get their items faster. Same for international orders. For domestic orders I'll just keep sending items Expedited, which comes with a tracking # as well.

I send all my little dudes Small Packet Air mail anyways, so nothing will really be changing for me except a bump in shipping prices to cover the increase this year.

[catfriendo]

Hey all, just wondering if anyone knows any third party sites that do tracking numbers with letter post?
I looked at Insure Post, but it's a little unclear and only lists small/light/whatever packet.

[cindylouwho2]

I don't know any 3rd party way to add tracking (but of course I might have missed something)

I think most 3rd party insurance providers don't do lettermail b/c you have no proof of shipping, unlike the customs forms for light packet etc.