An e-commerce consumer became anxious due to the fact her delivery had not arrived when she expected it, so she called the customer service department to track it down. OK, so this happens every day, right? The significance of this particular event was that the call transpired after she had already received delivery. The package was sitting on her front porch for all to see, but she was unaware because she didn’t look. Instead, this shopper relied on the web tracking information that displayed “still in transit” and the CSRs from where she made the purchase that had the same information. The carrier was the USPS, who provided a flawless delivery but hadn’t updated its website with delivery information in time to calm our anxious consumer.
This is one example that highlights why many consumers opt to use more expensive services provided by UPS and FedEx, both of who provide real-time package tracking. The difference in the cost of a one-pound package is staggering with UPS/FedEx, costing about $9.00 for Ground Residential (one to six days) service while the USPS charges about $3.00 for a First Class Package (two to three days). For long-range shippers, the USPS usually delivers a lot quicker, even at the lower price point. The tracking problem is equally frustrating for e-commerce companies that must staff up to answer these calls. For consumers and e-commerce companies alike, there’s good news: This problem is about to become a thing of the past.
Currently USPS personnel scan a package at the moment it is delivered. However, before it gets posted online, the scanner must be physically docked at a postal facility, which can cause hours of delay and, in this case, it’s what caused our e-commerce consumer to “zone out.” The USPS recognizes this shortcoming and has decided to stamp out older technology. This will enable consumers to get the most reliable home delivery service, pay less (a lot less) and get real-time tracking, including delivery notifications.
Current and Future Offerings The USPS already offers in-transit tracking using technology called IMpb (Intelligent Mail & Parcel Barcode) on Parcel Select, First Class Package, Priority and Express mail. In 2013, this service will be expanded to include real-time Delivery Confirmation, at no extra charge. Of course, that’s as long as you utilize PC technology to create your USPS shipping labels (no hand-written address labels, please), a service provided by many companies, such as DYMO Endicia, and is included with many multi-carrier shipping apps.
Along with reliable service, great tracking and lower cost, consumers have an option to get competitively priced insurance from a USPS Preferred partner, U-PIC, who will provide up to $25,000 (approvals needed) of protection per package. To make it even more convenient, UPIC’s insurance is integrated into DYMO Endicia’s (listed as: “Endicia Parcel Insurance”) making it easy for customers to purchase.
So there you have it: YES! The USPS is “On Track.” With major improvements in tracking and great partners such as DYMO Endicia and U-PIC, the USPS shipping business will continue to grow. That will provide desperately needed revenue, help cut costs for shippers and save consumers money. If you haven’t already, give the USPS a try and let me know how it works out.
I hope this article helps you Ship Better and Save Money!
Thank you for this info. Knowing the details of the current and future offerings from USPS helped us them as an economical shipping option to offer to consumers on our small business e-commerce.
This article got me thinking about this big hoax that we call the rat race. The other day I was reading about politics and the oil crisis in the newspaper, and it suddenly dawned on me that life is fragile, and purposeless too, and of all the ways to improve it we choose the least effective ones. No matter how much we like to deceive ourselves by labeling some actions as 'useful' and others as not, financial freedom does not equal happiness.
I find it crucial for mail managers to stay connected inside the industry because of all of the dramatic changes going on with the USPS that will affect all of us. The Post Office is about to close over half of their Sectional Center Facilities, thousands of retail locations, slow down mail by up to a day, and require a different barcode placed on the mail, so I'm glad that USPS is "on track".
I think that a delivery system should be upgraded once with the evolving of technology because people are in need of their information to travel at a certain time and with a certain speed. About the internet business i don't know what to say yet, i think that there are still some question factors.
This is a very insightful article, though "USPS on Track" sounds like an oxymoron to me. I'm sure that in the near future more and more teachers will start taking advantage of the facebook ecosystem and start using it for educational purposes.
The same thing happens even when you use USPS in the normal way, you are nervous or excited if your package is ok and the destination is reached in that period, mentioned on the envelope. The best thing is that people can order online and the packages arrive to the buyer faster.
I though that card mailing is the new thing.Card mailing systems enable personalized plastic cards to be attached to a document and ed for dispatch fully automatically to ensure that the respective card makes it way safely and speedily from card issuer to intended recipient.
This project looks really nice, i was planning to go for a house makeover. I love my house so much because me and my husband did the design together before we moved in but i want to change the wall colors. Thanks for the advice concerning the colors.
I think that buying and selling online is still dangerous. I think that it needs to pass some more years until people will trust the virtual world. Money is the same but the products aren't and i have to many friends that burned themselves by buying the wrong products from the internet.
Saturday, October 13, 2012 3:05:54 AM by own a home
We should really start believing in the new technology because will overwhelm us one day. The best thing that we need to do first is to understand how the new system of mailing works and i don't think that this is to hard to be done.
I don't think that the guys at USPS know what they are doing. I do agree that the best thing is to learn how the new mailing system works but the ones that made it and implemented it should think about a more user friendly way. Just think about the many mistakes that will happen.
USPS has had its ups and downs in the past few years, but I've been very satisfied with their services these last months. I read in an article that they made some internal changes and they're obviously starting to pay off. I wouldn't mind if they reduced their costs too, but maybe that's just asking for too much.
I read some excellent reviews of the Mistral, people say William brings "a warming culinary wind to blustery Seattle". I know that his cooking is strongly influenced by the years spent breezing through different kitchen stations at the renowned Bouley in New York City, after working for several years selling home insurance. William is famous for cooking dishes for every diner personally thus making eating his food a personal experience that I definitely want to try.
Indeed it is very frustrating that when you order something online and you expect to arrive in the next day, you can actually see that come after 2-3 days. So you must have a lot of patience .... and again patience ....
Fantastic diagram of the evolution of game controllers! I loved my first gameboy color, but I must admit it was nowhere near as enjoyable to use as my xbox. And of course the diagram made me realise what an important achievement the Nintendo Wii was for game controllers, since the Wii-mote is the first of its kind, a remarcable concept.
Thursday, November 29, 2012 11:48:33 AM by hdmi cable
The e-commerce has evolved a lot in the past two years. The technology is a very important part of our life and we can do almost everything from a computer.
I work in a state that has an infertility coverage law in place, but in order to benefit from it, I have to learn whether my employer plan is fully insured or self insured. Fully insured plans follow state law. Self insured plans follow federal law and are exempt from state law.
Friday, December 21, 2012 9:46:10 AM by cable link
It`s great that we can do almost everything from a computer, even shopping, but we can`t see the products and this is an disadvantage. I ordered something online and it didn`t get it on time.
I am positive that in the end it will not be alternative. Many of the plants that surround us can be used in treating a lot of diseases, the only thing is that big and important pharmacies understand this.
I am studying for my masters degree in management and now i am studying how to treat people with disabilities. I think that they are still ignored although there were made lots and lots of programs and ads through which people are informed. Ignorance isn't very well received in this field.
I think that the E-commerce it`s only the begining of a new technological era. In the future everything will be done by using the computers. I started doing it at my job and now the company I work for has implemented the bring your device system.
My training profession involves long journeys in Europe and USA. I used with trust the car rental company without worrying about the car, so being able to devote myself totally to what I'll have to do at training courses when I'll arrive at destination. USPS is such a better option.
Saturday, January 19, 2013 3:45:08 PM by Perry Belcher
Nowadays if you want to have success it`s important to pay attention at online commerce. It`s easier to buy things using your computer. The companies should use an online marketing strategy too.
I`ve been very ill and I made a lot of treatments even through psychotherapy and all those medicines made my bones weaker. I went to my doctor`s and besides calcium and magnesium pills he gave me a regime that really helped me to have stronger bones. Now I can play more confident a game or to dance because I know that I`m in a better condition. But for the regime I couldn't get back on my feet.
This is a great post!Online commerce plays an important role in nowadays life as it helps us to save time and money.Moreover there are a lot of companies that use online commerce in order to sell their products and they have success.
For me the future of humanity is the automation and advanced electronics. I would not be surprised if one day we can travel through space as on Earth. Maybe I could have a property on Mars like my house in Texas :)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:36:00 PM by dream jobs
When you are working on the e-commerce field it is very difficult to satisfy all your clients and sometimes you face these kind of situations when customers are disappointed.It is very important to try to satisfy the customers and to provide them quality services.
I do not think that this action should be taken because we are talking here about natural disasters and these are something that no one can control. Working at the city hall made me really serious whenever i had a problem that came from nature and not from human mistake. This is something on which you simply cannot put a tax on.
It's all about the buyer of the degree. If he/she has a high morality limit than that degree won't affect any people but if the morality standards are low, .... Well just think of a person you trust with your life and he/she doesn't know what to do with it. Anyway a diploma like this is very good for getting somebody out of a mess.
Thursday, March 28, 2013 2:40:16 PM by Perry Belcher
The e-commerce has an important role these days and I think that every business should consider using it because it can bring a lot of money. The technology has evolved a lot and almost everyone buy things online. It`s easier this way.
I appreciate a lot the quality information that you provide on this post.E-commerce became very popular in the last decade as it helps people to save time and money.
