[meteorite-list] usps global priority vs airmail

From: Suzanne and Jim <suzieandjim_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Oct 23 19:24:15 2006
Message-ID: <20061023232413.26139.qmail_at_web50113.mail.yahoo.com>

We have had many items sent from the US to Australia
and a lot of the sellers insisted on global priority.

For small articles we have had normal airmail letters
sent from the US arrive days before global priority
shipped the same day, so much for priority!.

but then we have had normal letters take over 2 weeks,
so it depends on a lot of factors.

It would appear that a couple of meteorite dealers
(names with-held to protect the not-so-innocent) think
that Global Priority has to ba a large envelope
costing around $10 (Large envelope rate) but small
items wrapped in bubblewrap are fine in the smaller
envelope ( around $5 small envelope rate) or normal
airmail ( around $2 - $3 ) a substantial difference
when you buy 100s of inexpensive meteorite slices over
many months. (been there, done that !)

Note that there is no weight limit on global priority
flat rate envelope just as long as it fits in the
envelope ( quote from USPS: "Items must fit
comfortably within the envelope or box without
distorting or bursting the container")

We really cant see any advantage of using Global
priorty when the article is small.

For most small meteorites, slices and slides I would
say that normal airmail with appropriate reinforcement
would suffice. I have never had a breakage yet with
normal airmail.

Apparently you cant insure in Global Priority only
Parcel post so that may limit choices.

Oh yes while I think about it, I have had sellers (
NOT any meteorite dealers though! ) state that the
article must be insured being a condition of paypal (
hence must use parcel post). The last time I checked
Paypal seller insurance only applied when both the
seller and buyer were in the US , UK or Canada,
Australia is not part of that arrangement!!!


Suzanne & Jim

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Received on Mon 23 Oct 2006 07:24:13 PM PDT