• Shipping Deadlines 2014 & Retailers

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    santa-shipping

    Retailers can’t seem to pin down a date to the final event of the holiday shopping season: the deadline for ordering so gifts can make it in time for Christmas.

    Many retailers have yet to finalize a cutoff date. Others are tweaking them, wary of repeating last year’s shipping snafus, when a combination of lousy weather and stronger-than-expected on-line orders inundated both retailers and shippers, preventing millions of packages from making it under the Christmas tree.

    Read the full article here

    To see The Mailbox Ballard’s recommended deadlines, read our post.

  • Consumer Reports has some great ideas about reducing Holiday shipping stress.

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    6 simple steps to ensure that holiday gifts arrives on time—and in one piece

    When it comes to sending and receiving packages, all of us have plenty to grouse about. Damaged or late deliveries and snatched packages bug consumers the most, which covers Americans’ experiences with DHL, FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service.

    Some shipping mishaps are beyond your control, but you can take steps to make a gift’s road—or flight—less bumpy, whether you’re on the sending or receiving end:

    CRM_GripeOMeter_page7_12-141. Time it right

     The sooner you place your order, the less susceptible it’ll be to delays from bad weather, higher-than-expected package volumes, items temporarily out of stocks, and other issues. Christmas falls on a Thursday this year. That means Monday Dec. 20 is the deadline for second-day delivery, and Tuesday Dec. 21 is the drop-dead date for (very expensive) next-day service. Standard ground shipping typically takes about three to five business days, but this time of year, it’s prudent to allow a few extra days.

    2. Choose a sturdy container

    Corrugated-cardboard boxes are best for heavy cargo such as small appliances or gift baskets. Mailing boxes, which fold up via a self-locking tab, are ideal for small, reasonably flat items such as books. (Weight limits are typically indicated on the bottom panel.) Whenever possible, use a new box—especially for heavy items—because reuse weakens the cardboard. If you do choose to reuse a box, inspect it for rigidity, tears, rips, or corner damage, and remove all labels and shipment information from its previous journey. Make sure it has all its flaps, too.

    3. Pack for a hard landing

    That video of a UPS driver caught kicking and tossing packages like footballs is extreme, but take its message to heart. Shroud breakable items in protective inner packaging and surround them with filler to ensure that the contents don’t move when you shake the box. Double- or triple-wrap sharp or protruding edges and bind them with tape. Add enough loose material in the box to fill the empty space, so the contents sit snugly. (Carriers recommend each item be surrounded by at least 2 two inches of cushioning placed at least 2 inches from the walls of the box to avoid product-against-product damage and protect against shock and vibration.)

    4. Use the right wrap

    Avoid packing breakables in clothing, sheets, towels, or newspaper. Most effective are sheets of air-filled plastic bubbles (aka Bubble Wrap), though those bags aren’t recommended for items with sharp corners. They also tend to be inadequate in very cold or very hot temperatures. Polystyrene peanuts and tightly crumpled paper (think supermarket or shopping bags) are good options too. Additional pieces of corrugated cardboard add rigidity, prevent products from shifting in transit and make excellent dividers. Be sure to ship perishables in a polystyrene cooler with dry ice or cold packs.

    5. Seal with care

    Use a waterproof marker to write the full address of both the sender and recipient on the outside of the package. Include a duplicate label or business card inside, so the carton can be returned if it gets damaged and becomes undeliverable. Tape the opening and secure all seams with at least 2 inches of reinforced clear or brown adhesive-backed packaging tape. Shippers recommend applying tape strips evenly across the flaps and seams on both top and bottom to make an “H” shape. Don’t wrap the box in paper, which could rip apart in transit, or twine, which can stick in conveyor belts and lead to damage as well.

    6. Consider insurance

    UPS and FedEx shipments automatically come with declared-value coverage of up to $100. The U.S. Postal Service provides similar coverage for Priority Mail Express shipments. Declared value is the carrier’s maximum liability. If the package is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’ll need to file a claim and can do so as early as 24 hours after expected delivery. (Timing differs by carrier.) Since the shipper is unlikely to take just your word, you’ll need backup: invoices, product sales and shipping receipts (including package tracking and delivery confirmation, which strengthen your claim), proof of insurance, and so forth. If the gift recipient spots damage, ask him or her to hold on to all packaging materials. Photos—before and after—help, too.

  • USPS Military and International Mail Holiday deadlines

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    photo credit: Stamps.com

    With the holiday season approaching, we are reminding friends and families to mail early to ensure delivery of their holiday cards and packages, especially to APO/FPO/DPO destination addresses, by December 25. Deadlines for mailing to specific APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes vary according to the specific classes of mail being sent to them.

    We also remind mailers that all mail addressed to overseas military/diplomatic Post Offices is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling.

    Those restrictions are listed by individual APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Code in each Postal Bulletin. To access this listing on the Internet, go to pe.usps.com, click Postal Bulletins in the blue navigation bar, and then select the Pull-Out Information section.

     

    Mail Addressed To First-Class Mail Letters and Cards
    		 Priority Mail Standard Post
    APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Nov. 8
    APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093 Dec. 3 Dec. 3 Nov. 8
    APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Nov. 8
    APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Nov. 8
    APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Nov. 8

     

    International Mail
    Addressed To     		Priority Mail International®
    		 First-Class Package
    International Service™ 
    Africa Dec. 2 Dec. 2
    Asia/Pacific Rim Dec. 9 Dec. 9
    Australia/New Zealand Dec. 9 Dec. 9
    Canada Dec. 12 Dec. 9
    Caribbean Dec. 12 Dec. 9
    Central & South America Dec. 2 Dec. 2
    Mexico Dec. 9 Dec. 9
    Europe Dec. 12 Dec. 9
    Middle East Dec. 12 Dec. 9

  • Domestic shipping deadlines for the Holiday Season

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News 1 Response

    shipping_deadlines_2010CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, ETC

     

    Thursday, Dec 11

    • The guarantee is suspended for Ground picked up or scheduled for delivery between Dec. 11 and Dec. 24.

     

    Saturday, Dec. 20

    • Delivery of Worldwide Express, Next Day Air and 2nd Day Air packages processed and labeled for Saturday Delivery.
    • Pickup service provided to regular Saturday pickup customers for air and international packages only, no ground pu, or if prearranged by Friday, Dec. 19.

     

    Monday, Dec. 22

    • Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship 2nd Day Air packages in time for Christmas (arriving Wednesday, Dec. 24).

     

    Tuesday, Dec. 23

    • Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship Next Day Air packages in time for Christmas (arriving Wednesday, Dec. 24).

     

    Wednesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve

    • Normal delivery of air, international and ground shipments.
    • Pickup service available for air and international shipments if prearranged by Tuesday, Dec. 23. No Ground, Standard or 3 Day Select pickups until Friday, Dec. 26.

     

    Thursday, Dec. 25, Christmas

    • Closed

     

    Friday, Dec. 26

    • Delivery of air and international packages.*
    • Normal pickup service (all service levels).

     

    gift-shipping3NEW YEAR’S

    Monday, Dec. 29

    • Normal pickup and delivery service. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked up today will arrive Wednesday, Dec. 31.

     

    Tuesday, Dec. 30

    • Normal pickup and delivery service. UPS Next Day Air packages picked up today will arrive Wednesday, Dec. 31. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked up today will arrive Friday, Jan. 2.

     

    Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, New Year’s Eve

    • Delivery of air and international packages only.*
    • Pickup service provided to scheduled pickup account customers for air and international shipments if prearranged by Tuesday, Dec. 30. No UPS Ground, UPS Standard or UPS 3 Day Select pickups until Friday, Jan. 2.

     

    Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, New Year’s Day

    • Closed

     

    Time-in-transit notes: On UPS holidays – Nov. 27, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 – there is no movement of any packages tendered to UPS. Also, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 are considered for the purpose of the UPS Service Guarantee as transit days for “UPS air and international shipments” only.

    Peak-season service guarantees: UPS air and international shipments picked up or delivered within the United States are guaranteed throughout the holiday season. Commitment times for air and international shipments delivered within the United States will be extended by 90 minutes on the following days: Nov. 28, Dec. 18-24, and Dec. 31.

     

    FedEx

     

    CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, ETC

    Standard Post

    • Monday, Dec. 15

    First Class

    • Saturday, Dec. 20

    Priority Mail

    • Saturday, Dec. 20

    Priority Mail Express

    • Tuesday, Dec. 23

     

     

    FedEx

     

    CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, ETC

    FedEx Home Delivery

    • Wednesday, Dec. 17

    FedEx Ground 2

    • Wednesday, Dec. 17

    FedEx Express Saver

    • Saturday, Dec. 20

    FedEx 2Day

    • Monday, Dec. 22

    FedEx 2Day AM

    • Monday, Dec. 22

    FedEx Standard Overnight

    • Tuesday, Dec. 23

    FedEx Priority Overnight

    • Tuesday, Dec. 23

    FedEx First Overnight

    • Tuesday, Dec. 23

     

     

  • Shawn Christie of UPS

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    shawn christie UPS

    Hometown: Dallas, Texas
    Years on the Job:     8 years
    Best Shipping Advice: Use UPS. :>)
    Essential Item You Wear or Carry during your Work Day: Diode Pouch (holder for hand-held bar-code scanning device).
    Favorite Down Time Activity: Hanging with my kid. Making sure he’s getting those A’s. He’s a good kid, so there’s no reason to make him sweat right now… but if those grades drop, you best believe I’ll be there to put a little fire underneath him to get them back up.
    Do You Have a Pet? Nope.

  • Jason Sullivan of Fedex Express

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    images

    Hometown: Seattle, WA
    Years with FedEx:     Been at this job for about 2 years now.
    Best Shipping Advice: Have your air bill properly marked with the desired shipping speed and the address easily legible. It makes it a whole lot easier on us drivers.
    Essential Item You Wear or Carry during your Work Day? Shoes
    Favorite Down Time Activity? Hanging out and tutoring my grandchildren. What I teach them they’ll never learn in school.
    Do You Have a Pet? My daughter has a cat named Miss Kitty that frequently stays at our house.

     

  • Gerard Ng of the US Postal Service

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    Gerard Ng

    Hometown: Seattle, WA
    Years at the Post Office:     28 years
    Best Shipping Advice: Be on time by not waiting till the last minute to mail your package.
    Essential Item You Wear or Carry during your Work Day? A pair of good shoes
    Favorite Down Time Activity:
    I like to wind down and relax on the weekends by riding my bike on the trails around Seattle. I enjoy the STP and the RSVP – Seattle to Vancouver ride.
    Do You Have a Pet?: I have a fish named Discus.

  • Peeps that make us shine:

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    logo_dogcircleWe adore our clients as you are well aware.  We are also blessed to have an amazing group of drivers on our team.

    We have excellent working and personal relationships with our carriers and their drivers here at the Mailbox Ballard. They show up day-in, day-out without fail; rarely late and never absent, we rely on their diligence and hard work to get your packages and mail to and from their destinations on time.

    Adhering to a tight schedule and working a largely thankless job, the drivers for these carriers often do not get the opportunity to personally engage with clients at residences around the neighborhood.  You may miss out on some of the satisfaction that we get here at the Mailbox of getting to know these folks we see daily.

    We thought it would be fun to profile each carrier in the coming days to give you a sense of who these dedicated individuals are and maybe when you see them around the neighborhood next you’ll be inclined to wave or strike up a conversation.

  • STOP Unwanted Junk Mail

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News, usps No Responses

    usps-logo-oldThe holidays are fast approaching, and with them all the uninvited catalogs and advertisements piling up in your mailbox!

    Stop unwanted junk mail by using the FREE opt-out service provided through the City of Seattle and Catalog Choice.  Just go to www.seattle.gov/stopjunkmail, click on the big green button, and sign up with Catalog Choice.

    Then each time you’re bugged by unwanted junk mail, go to the site, enter the company name and stop that junk mail.  You can also use the site to stop phone books.

    A small investment in time can save you a lot more in the long run.  The average person in the U.S. spends 8 months in a lifetime dealing with junk mail. (don’t ask me to find the source on that lovely statistic)  That’s a lot of wasted time, not to mention all the wasted trees, water and energy that go into making unwanted mail.

    Save time and help the environment by joining more than 27,000 Seattle residents and businesses already using the FREE service.

    You can also find lots of invaluable information at

    www.seattle.gov/util/reducereuse.

  • What is my best option for shipping?

    // themailboxballard // Shipping News No Responses

    collie_snout_whitebgThe Mailbox can help you solve your “what is my best option for shipping” dilemma!

    You will have noticed that the shipping industry has experience a shift in consumer practices in the past few years. Carriers have had to modify how it ships and the rates they charge in response to online sales and direct to home shipping.
    What you may not realize, is how we as consumers choose to use our shipping options affects us all in the pocket book sooner or later. The mailbox Ballard is here to help you navigate these often confusing regulations and practices to your best advantage every day.

    Here is what you need to know.
    Dimensional weight pricing is a common industry practice that sets the transportation price based on package volume — the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its actual w By using programs free shipping programs, consumers simply order online and have the parcels shipped directly to their homes.

    The difference in price varies according to the speed of delivery a customer chooses and the distance of shipment.

    Optimizing package sizing will reduce excess packaging materials and overall package sizes, leading to related reductions in fuel use, vehicle emissions and transportation costs.
    Here is how that affects you.

    USPS will raise rates in Sept. 2014 and
    UPS and FedEx in Jan. 2015

    The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to change Priority Mail prices. The price change will include a modest increase for Priority Mail prices at Post Offices and other postal retail outlets. The proposed changes are intended to offer more competitive pricing. Unlike others in the shipping industry, the Postal Service is not implementing any new dimensional-weight charges.
    The pricing adjustments are part of a broader strategy to position the Postal Service for the future. USPS is also streamlining its mail processing operations, which will allow the organization to invest in new package sorting equipment and other upgrades, as it continues to seek legislative changes to update its business model. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

    Like UPS, FedEx have used size-based pricing for express shipments and certain large packages.
    The switch to dimensional-weight pricing comes in response to rising fuel costs and the increasing popularity of online shopping. With retailers like often putting small items in large boxes, lightweight packages can take up a lot of space on delivery trucks but are priced at lower rates.
    UPS explained that recent shipping trends have resulted in declining package density, saying shipments are getting larger compared to the package weight. UPS hopes its rate changes will convince customers to match box sizes to the items inside.

    This dimensional weight rate change will align the FedEx Ground dimensional weight pricing with FedEx Express by applying it to all packages. Bulky-but-light packages take up more than their fair share of truck space —  FedEx would prefer to fill with extra packages that it can charge for that space.

    FedEx and UPS have announced they will apply dimensional-weight pricing to all shipments starting Jan 1, 2015
    Here is what The Mailbox Ballard can do for you.
    We effectively pack and protect the items you are shipping so they arrive as intended.
    We assist you with add on service options like delivery confirmation, package tracking, signature on delivery and package insurance.
    Here at the Mailbox Ballard you have the option to ship your packages via UPS, Fedex, DHL and the United States Postal Service.
    The Mailbox Ballard can quickly and effectively help you navigate the best shipping and carrier choice for you. We elegantly assist you in deciphering which, how and why your priorities are important to deftly find a solution and/or alternative to solving all of your shipping needs. In effect helping you decide is the cost, time and/or item value that matters most for each package you are shipping.

    Get in here, we can help! Cheers and happy shipping from the Mailbox Ballard.