RIP UPS SurePost
Well, it was fun while it was affordable. UPS Surepost was a great cost-effective solution to get orders to customers.
Effective today, UPS' deal with the USPS ended. Net result is that rates are now more in line with UPS Ground which doesn't work for small orders under 1 pound.
This wouldn't be a big deal except that Postmaster Truckit has been doing something behind the scenes to mess up sorting and distribution in the post office lately. Once things get to the destination post office they seem to be fine, but there are random delays on shipments out of region.
Good thing I use "buy shipping through Amazon" because those OTDR issues won't be my problem. Now if we can just get Amazon to quit hallucinating about fulfillment and transit times we'll be fine. Looked at my crystal ball and I see a very very angry Karenzilla demanding to speak to the manager of Amazon because her Chinchilla slippers have not fallen out of the sky yet. (Amazon PrimeAir joke)
RIP UPS SurePost
Well, it was fun while it was affordable. UPS Surepost was a great cost-effective solution to get orders to customers.
Effective today, UPS' deal with the USPS ended. Net result is that rates are now more in line with UPS Ground which doesn't work for small orders under 1 pound.
This wouldn't be a big deal except that Postmaster Truckit has been doing something behind the scenes to mess up sorting and distribution in the post office lately. Once things get to the destination post office they seem to be fine, but there are random delays on shipments out of region.
Good thing I use "buy shipping through Amazon" because those OTDR issues won't be my problem. Now if we can just get Amazon to quit hallucinating about fulfillment and transit times we'll be fine. Looked at my crystal ball and I see a very very angry Karenzilla demanding to speak to the manager of Amazon because her Chinchilla slippers have not fallen out of the sky yet. (Amazon PrimeAir joke)
21 replies
Seller_gatjkdfPmzT4O
I've noticed this exact issue too with the shipments out of region once they make it to the destination sort facility. I've had shipments take 3-4 days to get delivered after making it to the local sort facility. It's destroyed my OTDR metrics and now Amazon has been adding 3-4 days on top of my delivery estimates being shown to customers.
Seller_gatjkdfPmzT4O
Just got a return for item arrived too late (Even though it arrived on my last estimated delivery date not even what Amazon shows to customers with promise extensions). Ordered December 30. Shipped out the same day. Made it to a local sort facility in the delivery state on January 2. Wasn't delivered until January 8. It went through 3 different sort facilities before arriving at the local post office. Absolute garbage by USPS and Amazon is penalizing us for it.
Seller_UIgy8VxDshSOy
I wanted to share an update from our UPS driver. He mentioned that, according to his information, the U.S. Postal Service has been sending all UPS SurePost packages from the fulfillment centers back to UPS for final delivery, instead of completing the deliveries themselves.
Seller_3JLBl2PvFbkyF
Amazon is still selling these labels (just sent one yesterday). Is the change more about not delivering to post office boxes?
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
"Good thing I use "buy shipping through Amazon" because those OTDR issues won't be my problem."
Unless you buy USPS ground. Because 50% of the time you don't get OTDR protection for that, since the past 2-3 months... In that case prepare to get your OTDR rate drop and make way less sales because of the search result kickback. Just like the rest of us. :-(
Seller_QLZr8uEgTaJjO
So what do you know.... Saw an AD on YouTube for Amazon Shipping. Logged in to Seller Central and searched for it and sure enough it's in select markets. Fill out a form and wait.
This should be fun and it actually makes sense. Now it can be Amazon's fault for not getting it there fast enough. ROFL.
Best part is my products are in their strength area for shipping. Small, Light, Low Value. If they can do it for what USPS charges I'll happily let them transport any order they are competitive on.
Seller_G2fRjkHCPApMW
USPS Policies, Procedures, and Forms Updates
Manuals
DMM Revision: Dual-Shipping Labels Discontinued
Effective January 19, 2025, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), section 602.10, to reflect the Postal Service discontinuing the use of dual-shipping labels.
Effective January 1, 2025, Postal Service Post Offices must not accept items bearing dual-shipping labels and may return such items to the sender. Mailers seeking an extension must submit a request to the attention of Nicole T. Wilson at delivery
Although this revision will be published in the January 19, 2025, DMM edition, this standard is effective January 1, 2025.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
*
[Revise the title and text of 10.0 to read as follows:]
10.0 Dual-Shipping Labels
Mailers must not use dual-shipping labels, which are used by private shippers to identify both the Postal Service and a private carrier as possible delivery agent. Postal Service Post Offices must not accept items bearing dual-shipping labels and may return such items to the sender.
The Postal Service will incorporate this revision into the next edition of the online DMM, which is available on Postal Explorer® at pe usps
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 12-26-24
Seller_hxquIbUYNVRfl
Yea unfortunately the USPS has been odd lately. we had a item sent from Michigan going to New York and the USPS took the item to Nebraska for 8 days then out for 2 days to only come back again to Nebraska due to a snowstorm for 4 more days. a simple journey from Michigan to NY is normally 2 days not 17.
KJ_Amazon
@Seller_XQShoO4C7Nx0J @Seller_UIgy8VxDshSOy @Seller_3JLBl2PvFbkyF and all other sellers asking about UPS SurePost:
Thank you for your questions and feedback. I have shared them with our partner team for their review.
Below is a link to the UPS.com page covering the SurePost program and features.
KJ_Amazon
Thank you for your questions about recent changes to UPS shipping services. I shared them with our partner teams and have updates.
UPS Ground Saver and UPS SurePost are still available for shipping to physical address (non-PO/APO/FPO) destinations in the 48 contiguous states.
UPS Ground and Air services are still available to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US territories.
There was a change in UPS Ground Saver and UPS SurePost services, leading to PO/FPO/APO addresses no longer being offered.
You can read more about the program here: UPS.com page: UPS SurePost. Please let me know if you have any questions or are seeing unexpected behavior.
