How is it that USPS Priority not a scam?

December 13, 2022, 07:39 AM

12131

Ooh, "Priority". What's so "Priority" about it? There is absolutely no priority about this particular service. It's a total gimmick. More expensive than First-Class. I routinely have had First-Class arrive faster than Priority. And there's no money back guarantee. At least their Express mail comes with a money back guarantee. Assholes!

December 13, 2022, 08:33 AM

Anush

Priority was ok when it was $5.25 for a small box & most deliveries were in 2 days. I use Pirate Ship & get commercial rates for USPS & UPS. First class comes with tracking & small items are $4 to $5.

https://ship.pirateship.com/

December 13, 2022, 11:14 AM

.38supersig

At least when I have something shipped to me by Priority Mail, it does eventually show up.

The lazy bastards at FedEx are 0 for 3.

December 13, 2022, 02:56 PM

Jelly

Been like that for years.

More than a dozen years ago a local TV station Gal reporter sent out 5 First Class and 5 Priority pieces of mail at the same time to 5 people she knew across the US. The 5 First Class units arrived 1 to 2 days before the 5 Priority pieces. Lesson was don't waste your money on Priority mail.

December 14, 2022, 08:19 AM

ZSMICHAEL

You have to read the small print where the word Low is printed in front of Priority.

December 14, 2022, 04:03 PM

darkest2000

I ship packages regularly as part of my small business and I can confirm that for packages, priority and first class generally take the same about of transit time.

The only differences as far as I can tell is priority comes with a basic insurance, does not have a weight limit, and you can get free shipping boxes for them.

As a rule of thumb for me anything that’s small enough to be shipped by FC should be sent as such, no advantage sending it priority.

December 14, 2022, 06:32 PM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by darkest2000:
I ship packages regularly as part of my small business and I can confirm that for packages, priority and first class generally take the same about of transit time.

The only differences as far as I can tell is priority comes with a basic insurance, does not have a weight limit, and you can get free shipping boxes for them.

As a rule of thumb for me anything that’s small enough to be shipped by FC should be sent as such, no advantage sending it priority.

that's what I do as well,

using a shipper service (print at the shop) recommended to me by the post office,

majority goes FC or if over a lb, Priority,

quicker than UPS Ground,

better insurance,

December 16, 2022, 06:53 AM

Blume9mm

Twice I made the mistake of sending money Priority mail to get it there faster... the first one took a month, they got better on the 2nd one it was only two weeks. These were both Priority envelopes... seems they tend to do a bit better with packages.

December 28, 2022, 08:39 PM

bendable

A registered insured letter almost
Cost me $20.00.

Not a box or package a business envelope

December 29, 2022, 06:57 AM

maxwayne

I must have been lucky this year. I sent several Priority Mail boxes and they all arrived in record time. The winner was one that made it from central Illinois to Los Angeles in 2 days. Others made it to Dallas and South Dakota, most in 2 days one took 3 due to 25 inches of snow and winds gusting to 50.

December 29, 2022, 07:34 AM

bobandmikako

quote:
Originally posted by maxwayne:
I must have been lucky this year. I sent several Priority Mail boxes and they all arrived in record time. The winner was one that made it from central Illinois to Los Angeles in 2 days. Others made it to Dallas and South Dakota, most in 2 days one took 3 due to 25 inches of snow and winds gusting to 50.

We've had good luck with incoming USPS mail, but I've sent several outgoing packages, including a couple to forum members, that really took a circuitous tour of the country before finally getting there. I normally use First Class over Priority if the item is light enough.