USPS Says Guaranteed Overnight Isn't Guaranteed. What?

Dorothy found out that the USPS's guaranteed overnight delivery doesn't apply if you use their Express Mail boxes, because "Letters get stuck up in the top of the box all the time. Sometimes, it takes days or even a week before we find them." Hey post office, maybe you should try to check the top of the box every day. Problem solved!

We sent a letter via guaranteed overnight shipping with USPS. On the evening of June 4, we purchased and printed the label, attached it to the envelope and mailed the envelope the following morning (June 5th). I dropped it in the Express Mail box outside our local post office.

When I checked the website, I found the letter wasn't delivered until June 11th. I called the toll-free number and had an odd exchange with an operator.

It's Illegal To Stick Unstamped Flyers In Mailboxes, But The Post Office Doesn't Care

Stamp Prices Rising May 12

New stamp prices go into effect starting May 12. Here's the new prices you'll be paying for postage:

First-Class Mail letter (1 oz.) $0.42
First-Class Mail letter (2 oz.) $0.59
Postcard $0.27
First-Class Mail large envelope (2 oz.) $1.00
Certified Mail $2.70
First-Class Mail International to Canada and Mexico (1 oz.) $0.72
First-Class Mail International to all other countries (1 oz.) $0.94

New Prices Coming May 12, 2008 [USPS]

It's Tax Day! Here Are Some Post Offices That Are Open Late...

How To Get Chase To Stop Sending You Direct Mail Offers Over And Over And Over

Over the last 12-24 months, I've been annoyed with about 3-4 mailings a week from Chase for various add-on services and useless products. Already a customer of theirs, I did not appreciate this onslaught of advertising. Here's a quick opt-out website in which you can cancel all direct marketing letters from Chase... dnmoptions.chase.com.

Email Addresses For A FedEx EECB

Go Buy A Shredder Right Now

There's no better way to say "we don't give a damn about your business" than to deliver 25 boxes stacked against your door in a slovenly pile. A reader writes:

I work for a merchandising company and we often have some of the in-store promotional materials shipped directly to our merchandising employees. We just received this photo of how an employee of ours in Florida received a shipment of packages from UPS. All one shipment. Our employee was so dumbfounded by what they found, they took photos and sent them to management. Nonetheless, we've contacting UPS about this and also forwarding the photos on to them.

Stamps Increasing By One Cent May 12

Stamp prices are going up by a penny on May 12th to 42 cents. A Forever Stamp, however, will still get your mail delivered at the regular ol price of 41 cents (see how that works?). Other price increases set for May 12: Large Envelope (2 oz.): $.97 to $1.00, Certified Mail $2.65 to $2.70, First-Class Mail International Letter: (1 oz. to Canada and Mexico $.69 to $.72, First-Class Mail International Letter: (1 oz. to other countries) $.90 to $.94.

Stamps Increasing by One Cent to 42 Cents on May 12 [PR Newswire]

Direct Number For UPS Claims Department

If they've lost a package and are getting the runaround from regular customer service, and don't feel like communicating with them by letter as they seem to prefer you do, here's the secret direct number for the UPS claims department: 877-524-4498.

(Photo: mroach)

ShipGooder is a new free site that easily calculates for you the prices of various shipping options. Just enter the start and end zip code, the weight, and the number of packages. ShipGooder spits out the rates by carrier and shows you your various shipping options. A boon for frequent ebay users and small business owners.

ShipGooder [via Lifehacker]

AT&T Will Not Leave You Alone At Your Non-Existent Address

Dirty Elf Shuts Down Canada's "Write to Santa" Program

USPS Asks That You Write Addresses Clearly To Speed Up The Holiday Mail Season

Holiday Ordering Deadlines For 120 Top Stores

Dealhack has posted the various shipping deadlines for 120 top merchants to make sure your presents arrive under the tree in time. They even have standard, express, overnight, APO/FPO, and gift card/certificate
ordering deadlines. Customer service numbers and exceptions are included as well. Many will soon pass by if they haven't already so if you haven't done your shopping yet, time's a wastin'!

2007 Holiday Ordering Deadlines for On-Time Delivery [Dealhack]
(Photo: Compromised Exposure)

USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

Here are the absolute last USPS mail-by dates for making sure presents land under the tree in time:

Letters and Cards: Dec 20
Priority Mail: Dec 20
Express Mail: Dec 22
Parcel Post: Dec 15

Check the USPS site for deadlines for military mail.

Holiday Shipping Calendar [USPS]
(Photo: Del Far)