United States Postal Service Charging Priority Rates for Standard Service

As requested by a friend, I am sharing this experience and advisory regarding the US Postal Service.

I have to say I am not impressed with even the most basic service with USPS. We ship a fair bit of mail and it’s sometimes returned to us, rather than being shipped to the recipient’s address. If they can’t even determine the To and From addresses, what good are they? That’s a 50/50 chance of getting it to its destination.  ~ BP

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** Folks – be aware of this if you do business internationally with eBay, Amazon or other means as I just discovered this today. (July 30, 2015)

Today I was speaking with a USPS customer service rep who informed me that Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Boxes offer no additional service over First Class International packages except that they are priced 50-100% higher.

Although Priority mail is marketed as being a faster service with tracking, insurance included and indemnity, I have learned that a package that I shipped using this service to South Africa did not get tracked outside of the USA, nor will the USPS attempt to locate it, nor will it be covered for any insurance or indemnity in the event that it is lost.This is a clear case of fraud in that Priority mail is being marketed as a premium service when it offers, internationally, identical service as First Class International, but at a much higher price.As it stands, I shipped a $250 item via a service I thought was premium and would be safely tracked and instead I am told that the USPS is washing their hands of responsibility.The customer service rep agreed that this is ridiculous and said that they have filed complaints on others’ behalf, but nothing has changed.Again, this affects the Priority International flat rate envelopes and small flat rate boxes. I was advised to write a letter of complaint to:
The USPS Vice President of Consumer & Industry Affairs
475 l’enfant plaza SW
Room 4115
Washington, DC
20260-2200
This is fodder for a massive class action lawsuit given the amount of priority international shipments (using these services) purchased by consumers expecting a premium service and not getting it.
Please forward this along to anyone else you know, primarily those who ship internationally with any regularity.
#usps #postalinspectors #fraud #international #prioritymail #mailfraud
Thx