On Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 9:02:20 AM UTC-5, trader_4 wrote:
On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 10:28:16 PM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 9:59:26 PM UTC-5, trader_4 wrote:
On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 6:45:16 PM UTC-5, micky wrote:
Today I got an unexpected package. It's an 8x10x2" soft-sided black
bag, with a zipper main compartment, a small velcro side pocket for
pencils, and a latching flap front pocket where the inside of the large
flap say AARP thirty three times in bright white letters on black.

I guess AARP sent it to me because I renewed, which I only did to keep
my supplemental insurance.

I don't see how to look at this except to say that I bought myself a
bag, even though I probably have no use for it.

But what gets me is that it came with tracking! A $10 bag, probably 5
when they buy 40 mililion every five years. Or more like 5 or 6
million a year, since probably people who renew for less than 5 get
different so-called gifts. And for that they pay for tracking!! Do
you think they get a volume discount from the USPS?


The new passport also came with tracking, priority mail, and that I
heartily approve, because I don't want my passport to get lost. There
are a lot of people who look like me who are just dying to use it. Even
though I wasn't in a hurry to need priority mail, tracking can't be used
with plain first class. Plus it's one part of the federal govt.
buying from another so it's like it's all one pocket, even though it's
not like that.

The return address on the passport was S. Carolina, but the tracking
shows Tuczon. It took 15 minutes shy of 48 hours to get to its next
recorded stop (and afaik they record every stop), the main post office
in Baltimore. Somehow that seems very fast for by truck, but slow if by
plane. So how does that happen?

You don't have to pay extra for tracking. Basically all packages I think
are tracked at USPS now. I've sent packages first class mail and priority
mail, both are tracked. And while priority mail sounds expensive, it's
basically what you use now for packages over 1 lb. If it's under, then
first class is cheaper, but priority is 1 to 3 day delivery and seems
to be the only shipping otpion other than 1st class, from my experience.

Actually, First Class is for up to 13 oz, not 1 lb.


Used to be 13, now it's under 1 lb.




But yes, everything except for First Class letters either comes with free
tracking or it can be added for free.

The main USPS shipping options a

Priority Mail Express (Basically the USPS version of overnight shipping)
Priority Mail (Flat Rate packaging and "weigh your own box"
First Class (for up to 13 oz)
USPS Retail Ground (formerly Standard Post)
Media Mail - Tip: Media Mail can be opened by the USPS. "Regardless of
physical closure, the mailing of articles at Media Mail or Library Mail
prices constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection of the
contents."


I have no clue WTF USPS Retail Ground is. When I looked at the rate for
that compared to priority mail for a couple things, it was basically
either the same rate or almost the same rate. Also, I don't think
Ebay for example even offers retail ground as an option.

The definition of USPS Retail Ground can be found here, although since it
still says 13 oz for first class, who knows what else is wrong.

https://www.usps.com/ship/mail-shipping-services.htm