First class shipping VS Priority question???

[moniot]

I have done some ebay both buying and selling. I just mailed off a package and sent it first class. They wanted the item ASAP and where we live out here nothing is overnight . Anyway...my question is They told me at the post office that first class would be faster and safer then priority mail so that is how I sent it. They should know right??? But the guy was bugged because I stated in my generic part of the listing that I ship priority. I normally do but I wanted to get it to him ASAP and this is what they recommend. Anyone have any other insight or know what is actually faster. I explained what happened and now I am hopeful that it gets there quick enough for him.

 

[tarmand]

I don't know why they would tell you that. The USPS website lists the following estimates under domestic shipping:

Overnight Guaranteed Packages (Express Mail®) Next Day

2-3 Day Packages (Priority Mail®) 2-3 Days

Ground Packages (Parcel Post®, Media Mail® & more...) 2-9 Days (includes first class)

http://www.usps.com/business/shippingtools/shippingproducts.htm

I'm afraid you got some bad information. It would have been faster to use Priority.

 

[DMRick]

Anyway...my question is They told me at the post office that first class would be faster and safer then priority mail so that is how I sent it. They should know right??? But the guy was bugged because I stated in my generic part of the listing that I ship priority. I normally do but I wanted to get it to him ASAP and this is what they recommend. Anyone have any other insight or know what is actually faster.

Oh my, you must have gotten a new person. Priority is usually faster than first class, especially for longer distances. I mailed two items last week form NY to CA. The Priority was there in two days..we're still waiting for the first class to make it. You can also get tracking for free on line if you do your lable on the computer, and last, if you advertised Priority, that is how it should have been sent. I would not be a happy bidder. I also think when the PO sees it's priority they make sure it makes the next run.

Chalk it up to a learning experience, and hopefully it will get there fast and your feedback will be ok.

 

[moniot]

Now I am really nervous. Maybe if it doesn't get there by Friday I will offer him some of his shipping back. I hate being misled. I am going to the post office also. I did close the auction early for this guy (hours after I listed it) and other items like this were shipping for $10.00 to $15.00 more then I listed. Live and learn I guess. I was just tring to be helpful. Never again.

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

I run the small post office at my dorm and send out many packages everyday for people. Although the Post Office likes to keep this fact a little secretive, Priority is not supposed to be any faster than First Class. First Class mail is 1-3 days, Priority is 2-3 days. I found in my training materials that Priority is like First Class mail for things heaver than 12 ounces (although you can send thing lighter than 12 ounces Priority of course, if you want to pay extra to have the fancy packaging or labels.

As you can see, some people say Priority is faster, some people say First Class is faster. I think the truth is that they are about the same...and it's really a crap shoot on when your package is going to get there. The USPS is not very reliable (unless you're sending Express Mail). Oh, and you can get Delivery Notification with first class mail.

 

[DianeV]

The thing is that the seller advertised Priority and that is what the guy paid for and is expecting..I dont usually change shipping methods once I tell someone the way it is going to ship unless its like going from media mail or parcel post to first class or Priority which IS a definite upgrade

 

[kilee]

I track all my packages on ebay (there have been over 1000 this year) and I send about 1/2 First Class and 1/2 Priority. They are not even close to the same unless they are being shipped nearby. I know someone posted they deliver in the same amount of time. I find if it's going any farther than 7-10 states away- it takes about 4 days longer for the first class. I don't think they compare.

 

[shades]

I run the small post office at my dorm and send out many packages everyday for people. Although the Post Office likes to keep this fact a little secretive, Priority is not supposed to be any faster than First Class. First Class mail is 1-3 days, Priority is 2-3 days. I found in my training materials that Priority is like First Class mail for things heaver than 12 ounces (although you can send thing lighter than 12 ounces Priority of course, if you want to pay extra to have the fancy packaging or labels.

As you can see, some people say Priority is faster, some people say First Class is faster. I think the truth is that they are about the same...and it's really a crap shoot on when your package is going to get there. The USPS is not very reliable (unless you're sending Express Mail). Oh, and you can get Delivery Notification with first class mail.

This is interesting! I'm going to be more observant when I mail a package at the post office and see if I see them throw "Priority" and 1st Class pkgs into the same bin. Unless - are these bins sorted in the back?? I really try to avoid the post office if I can help it because our local one is ALWAYS busy. I really like the self-mailing machine they have installed. It's great unless I have a flat-rate Priority box - because they don't have an option for those yet.

 

[moniot]

I am curious now how quick it will arrive. I will post here when the guy receives it. I am fair with my shipping charges. I don't ever try and make money that way. I will make sure that he is compensated. I did go above and beyond as a seller. Not only did I close my auction early I left work and got it in the mail for him all with in 1 hour. I just hope he get it quickly. Live and learn.

 

[goofyforlife]

I just learned the hard way that Prioirity isn't even guaranteed to get there...

I sent something priority and it took 6 days to get from MD to TX.....

However, the person mailing back to me also sent priority and I got it in 2 days.....tx to MD

I used priority mail for a package last month and it took two weeks to get to the person.... (and it was only going to PA)

If they told you first would be same or faster.....It should be ok...

 

[jenimay]

Last year we had a horrible experience with priority mail. My dh had me send my BIL and his wife some buddy passes so they could fly out here for Christmas as a surprise for the family. The buddy passes were around $200, because they had to get on 3 different flights each way, and it would have cost $900 if they bought tickets. Anyway, it took 8 days going priority mail for them to get there. The key flights out looked pretty good until then, but when they finally got them was a couple days before CHristmas and alot of the flights filled up. They tried 2 days to get here, and ended up stuck in Chicago overnight, and then had to turn around and go home. I kicked myself for not mailing fedex 2 day.
Jeni

 

[Ilovestitch]

I only use priority b/c if you print the labels online then delivery confirmation is free. If a buyer is using paypal then you HAVE to use delivery confirmation. I also only use Priority b/c the shipping supplies are free.

For first class if you factor in buying shipping supplies and the 55 cents for the delivery confirmation you are going to have to charge the person like $2.75 or so. Why not just ship it faster w/priority for $3.85?

 

[peachgirl]

I found in my training materials that Priority is like First Class mail for things heaver than 12 ounces (although you can send thing lighter than 12 ounces Priority of course, if you want to pay extra to have the fancy packaging or labels.

That's basically what I was told by my post office. Whether it's First Class or Priority, they all get sent the same way with the same estimated time of delivery. First Class is simply for items weighing 13 oz or less. One method isn't any more likely to arrive sooner than the other.


It sounds like you went out of your way to be helpful. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[CajunDixie]

I found in my training materials that Priority is like First Class mail for things heaver than 12 ounces (although you can send thing lighter than 12 ounces Priority of course, if you want to pay extra to have the fancy packaging or labels.

I was told the difference is they fill the trucks with the Priority Mail before the first class......and on down the line. That's why Media Mail can take so long.

If the auction stated Priority though that is what should have been used.

 

[DMRick]

I also track mine and I agree completely. When scan my packages, I can see on the monitor the expected delivery dates, and Priority is always listed as faster if just a few states away.

I track all my packages on ebay (there have been over 1000 this year) and I send about 1/2 First Class and 1/2 Priority. They are not even close to the same unless they are being shipped nearby. I know someone posted they deliver in the same amount of time. I find if it's going any farther than 7-10 states away- it takes about 4 days longer for the first class. I don't think they compare.

 

[DMRick]

That's correct, it is not a guarantee, just a suggested time. But in most cases, Priority is the better way to go, if you are more than a few states away, than first class. Our Priority and first class is only partially sorted at our post office. The "real" sorting takes place at our main post office.
It's not that first class is a turtle, it's not, and usually a good way to ship most items under 13 ounces, but if you advertise Priority, it should ship priority.

I just learned the hard way that Prioirity isn't even guaranteed to get there...

 

[DMRick]

That's basically what I was told by my post office. Whether it's First Class or Priority, they all get sent the same way with the same estimated time of delivery. First Class is simply for items weighing 13 oz or less. One method isn't any more likely to arrive sooner than the other.

Well, besides observing personally that Priority is faster in most instances a few states away, (yes, there is always a chance that it gets misdirected in any class of mail) they also have a small monitor you can watch to see when your package is expected to arrive each time your package is scanned, or the zipcode is put in (you get the same info on line, when you look up postage). I never see first class listed as faster.

 

[Sal]

I have worked for the Postal Service for 24 years and I am very surprised at the information some of you have gotten. Priority Mail and First Class are not the same. Priority and Express Mail are our expedited services. I agree that when traveling a short distance, there might not be much difference in shipping time, but in general, Priority service should always be faster. Everyone has a horror story to tell about a lost or delayed package, but Priority Mail is actually a very good and very cost effective service. Remember, that the boxes, tape and labels are free and the value is even better. The flat-rate boxes are a huge bargain for shipping heavier items. We sent those to my son-in-law in Afghanistan last year and paid $7.70 per box instead of $12.00 or more. If you get mail delivered to your home or business, you can also get your prepaid priority packages picked up for free. That includes free delivery confirmation.

Happy Holidays from a proud USPS employee (who has yet to address even one Christmas card this year!)