I’ve written this a few times and other places, but I feel like I’ve got using the USPS down pretty well. I personally think it’s a good system, as long as I can avoid some of the personalities within it (a lot of postal regulations seem to be at the whim of the postal representative, a system I’m not wild about.)
The USPS actually does make an effort to get some tips out to you to ensure a speedy delivery and all that good stuff. One thing I will say that is unpopular with a lot of people: DON’T USE THE LABELS PAYPAL PROVIDES. I say this because every time someone sends to me using one of those damn labels, I never EVER get it, and it leaves me supremely annoyed as I tell these sellers beforehand not to use the damn things, which they’d know if they bothered to check the “notes to seller” field. They’re not a foolproof system for many, many reasons, not least of which is that in larger cities, the bar codes don’t always read correctly. I’m not the only person this happens to, but I’m one of the few that’s figured out the problem.
Besides, taking a few extra steps to make sure you’ve done everything YOU can to get the package to your buyer is due diligence and just plain good business. There’s a difference between being efficient, and just taking a shortcut.
So, those comments made, here is my recommended procedure when sending materials by the US mail:
1. Verify your customer’s address, step 1. Usually, the correct address to send to is the one issued from Etsy. It makes sense, since the person fills out and checks that address at the time of purchase. If it doesn’t match the PayPal address, don’t be surprised, and of course, check - and 99% of the time it will be the email given at the point of sale, which is the one that Etsy has.
2. Verify your customer’s address, step 2. Run the address through the USPS search. This does two things: it makes sure you were given the correct address, no typos, and it gets you the 4 digit zip code extension. I have had around 5 customers to date make typos in their addresses; if I hadn’t run the check, I wouldn’t have known and we’d have had a horrible merry-go-round of trying to get the package from point A to point B.
The 4 digit extension will also do one significant thing: it will get the package to its destination faster. The better the details on your shipping label, the higher the priority the USPS gives it.
3. Print the address electronically AND in caps. The USPS has a priority ranking system on regular mail, and even within special mail (cetified, priority, global, etc.) If it is printed electronically, in caps, and has the 4 digit zip code extension, it gets sorted first. If it doesn’t have the 4 digit extension but all else applies, it goes next. And so on. By marking the package with the four digit extension and making sure the label is printed electronically and in caps, you move your package to the front of the line.
4. Follow all the other rules.
You know them: don’t reuse priority mail boxes. If you reuse other boxes, black out all previous markings with a permanent marker. Pack WELL - use bubble wrap, tape, tissue paper, whatever. Follow the basic laws that apply to shipping interstate and international.
Above all, be humble before the mail gods. If something bad hasn’t happened while you’ve used any mailing system, it’s just because it hasn’t happened yet.
