[meteorite-list] OT: USPS price increase: international = crazy increase!

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:12:20 -0500
Message-ID: <CAKBPJW_f=wgFFLdds+tDz9n7r+CGBkVpTD+kuZCEPoDakjRYpw_at_mail.gmail.com>

My local clerk gave me a heads-up about this hike last week. It still
sucks though. Gripe +1.

This is just another cost that dealers will have to pass along to collectors.

A while back, I stopped using boxes to ship Riker displays. Now I
wrap them up in a double-layer of padding and put them into a
bubble-mailer. This saves several ounces on weight and a few dollars
on postage. There is a higher risk of breakage now, but thankfully
none have been broken so far. I'll replace the occasional damaged one
when the situation arises, so it's worth it to keep the overall costs
down a bit.

The international increase is the worst part. I ship a lot of First
Class International packages to places like Canada and the UK. Some
of these could be shipped for $4 or less. Heck, a small bubble mailer
to Canada often cost under $3 and was cheaper than sending the same
package to Hawaii or Alaska. I guess that has changed now. It's bad
enough the customs short form now requires 10 minutes of standing in
line for each package, and now this.

Like Adam said - I recall the early days of Flat Rate shipping (not
that long ago actually), and while the cost has gone up, the amount or
quality of service paid for has not. It's the same as most consumer
goods or services over the last decade - less for more.

Best regards,

MikeG

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------
Web - http://www.galactic-stone.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
Twitter - http://twitter.com/GalacticStone
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/galacticstone
RSS - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516
-------------------------------------------------------------
On 1/28/13, Adam Hupe <raremeteorites at yahoo.com> wrote:
> This is typical of USPS and Government in general.  Give absolutely no
> warning of impending price or tax increases and make decisions at the last
> possible second.  There are going to be a lot of shocked taxpayers once they
> realize all of the hidden tax increases in the Affordable Health Care Act.
> As far as shipping goes, USPS is famous for surprise increases.  I remember
> 8 years ago when a small flat rate Priority Mail box cost only $2.80. It is
> now exactly double at $5.60.
>
> How many people's salaries have doubled in the last 8 years?  The government
> should learn to manage our money better instead of spending it like a
> drunken gambler.   At least the gambler is spending his own money.  Most of
> us are forced to live within our means!
>
> I can hear the complaining now from eBay buyers about the new shipping price
> hike.  We go through this once or twice a year.
>
> Happy Shipping,
>
> Adam
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Yinan Wang <veomega at gmail.com>
> To: METEORITE LIST <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Cc:
> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 12:15 AM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] OT: USPS price increase: international = crazy
> increase!
>
> Hi List,
>
> This is more of a "OMG, did you see the prices" message, although it
> is a subject that affects both meteorite sellers and buyers.
>
> For those not aware, the USPS raised it's prices on Sunday, while
> domestically it didn't change by much, internationally it's an insane
> price increase:
>
> https://www.usps.com/business/prices.htm
>
> So small flat rate priority international went from $16.95 to $23.95
> (a 40% increase!). To Canada small flat rate went from $12.95 to
> $19.95 (over 50%!).
>
> Even first class international starting price is now $6.55 and for
> some places seem to have gone up 125%!
>
> Unfortunately, there's not much anyone can do, alternatives are few
> and still fairly costly. Although, anyone with affordable shipping
> suggestions, feel free to chime in.
>
> -Yinan Wang
> ______________________________________________
>
> Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
> ______________________________________________
>
> Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>

Received on Mon 28 Jan 2013 10:12:20 AM PST