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Free Delivery Cofirmation for all Priority Mail

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I just save the delivery confirmation GIF at the same time I print it out, so that's independent (post office) confirmation of the _complete address_, not just the zip code, that the package was delivered to. End-to-end tracking shouldn't be needed, since the point is to prove that the package has _been shipped_, not the exact time of delivery. I've found that calling the buyer _before_ shipment is the best way to make sure everything's legitimate. If they can't be reached at their ebay-listed phone number, then they're already in violation of their ebay member agreement. You can also verify their address and phone number at InfoUSA.
 
Since the label prints on half a 8.5x11 page, you can use UPS labels which can be ordered directly from UPS for free if you have an account... Works fine for me.
 


<< The Delivery Confirmation barcode retail or otherwise is never scanned at delivery attempt so I don't know what you are referring to there >>



I just received five boxes from target.com with e delivery confirmation tags on them. They were scanned at my door with a portable scanner by the usps guy. Maybe it's different in different places..
 
Link is still good for me. You can also search other threads here for a program you can download from USPS that has a postage calculator, shipping label printing (with the free confirmation) and other goodies. FREE!

Also, to report on my use of the free delivery confirmation labels: they were scanned at the post office when I brought them in, scanned at a "unit" and then scanned when delivered. So, I believe this is the same as the "retail" delivery confirmation that you get for $0.40.

I know I got flamed earlier, but I think people have to do their home work before flaming!!! You know who you are!! I have the confirmation number if anyone is interested in looking at the delivery trail for yourself. PM me.

Mike
 
As someone else said,

The green form you pay for Delivery Confirmation, gives you a tracking record (accepted, in route, delivered, ect).

This free one, just confirms when an item is finally delivered.

Green .40c tag Info looks like this...


Your item was delivered at 1:12 pm on January 22, 2002 in CITY, ST. 12345.

Here is what happened earlier:
ENROUTE, January 22, 2002, 7:00 am
ACCEPTANCE, January 19, 2002, 1:26 pm, CITY, ST 54321


Free tag Info looks like this...


Your item was delivered at 2:50 pm on January 12, 2002 in CITY, ST 12345.

Here is what happened earlier:
ARRIVAL AT UNIT, January 12, 2002, 5:18 am, CITY, ST 12345
ELECTRONIC SHIPPING INFO RECEIVED, January 10, 2002, 9:50 pm

They both still show the city and state an item was delivered to.
 
For me it showed acceptance, en route (at the "unit") and date and time of delivery. EXACTLY the same as the green slip you fill out at the PO. YMMV. In fact, as I was paying for them, they ring up exactly the same as the green slips (as Delivery Confirmation) @ $.40 and then they credited me back the $.40. Maybe my PO is not doing it as they are supposed, but I'm not gonna complain...

Mike
 
They arent supposed to scan the barcode when you ship it, otherwise they will charge you (its a DC code) same as a green tag.

When a package is "in route" you only get this info online ---


You entered 0234 2345 4567 5678 7890


The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper or shipping partner on January 28, 2002 at 10:29 pm to expect your package for mailing. Status is updated every evening. Please check again later.



I mailed this one 2 days ago. It wont be updated untill its at it's destination and delivered. That how it has worked for me so far. But then again...its free
 


<< For me it showed acceptance, en route (at the "unit") and date and time of delivery. EXACTLY the same as the green slip you fill out at the PO. YMMV. In fact, as I was paying for them, they ring up exactly the same as the green slips (as Delivery Confirmation) @ $.40 and then they credited me back the $.40. Maybe my PO is not doing it as they are supposed, but I'm not gonna complain...

Mike >>



Originally, when the Free Delivery Confirmation was first offered (Fall of Last Year), my Post Office didn't know what to make of it, so they just did what your Post Office does. However, since this December, they got instructions from the Postmaster to not scan it in at origin, since the service is just for Delivery Confirmation only (only scanned at destination). The retail Delivery Confirmation (green slip, costs $0.40) is scanned at origin and destination.

As far as I know, all post offices in the Austin area are not scanning the e-Delivery Confirmation slips when you ship it out. Therefore, you are just lucky SafetyDance that you're post office doesn't know the real rules. 😉

I can provide many DC#'s that were generated using this free service that were treated both ways (as just destination only scanned or as retail DC slips).

Enjoy. 🙂
 
Enroute will not always show up be it retail OR electronic. USPS will only scan them enroute when they feel like it. I have a stack of a few thousand retail and electronic to back this up. Let's remember they call it "Delivery Confirmation" for a reason. USPS never claimed it is tracking, which is what having enroute status would be, so having a package say it is enroute is just a bonus in my book.

 
It would appear that my PO is doing it as the retail DC. We'll see how long it lasts. I am probbly the only one using it at my PO because the person had to ask someone else. They didn't even know it was free until I told them. I was real confused about this, but junthin cleared it all up for me.

Mike
 


<<

<< For me it showed acceptance, en route (at the "unit") and date and time of delivery. EXACTLY the same as the green slip you fill out at the PO. YMMV. In fact, as I was paying for them, they ring up exactly the same as the green slips (as Delivery Confirmation) @ $.40 and then they credited me back the $.40. Maybe my PO is not doing it as they are supposed, but I'm not gonna complain...

Mike >>



Originally, when the Free Delivery Confirmation was first offered (Fall of Last Year), my Post Office didn't know what to make of it, so they just did what your Post Office does. However, since this December, they got instructions from the Postmaster to not scan it in at origin, since the service is just for Delivery Confirmation only (only scanned at destination). The retail Delivery Confirmation (green slip, costs $0.40) is scanned at origin and destination.

As far as I know, all post offices in the Austin area are not scanning the e-Delivery Confirmation slips when you ship it out. Therefore, you are just lucky SafetyDance that you're post office doesn't know the real rules. 😉

I can provide many DC#'s that were generated using this free service that were treated both ways (as just destination only scanned or as retail DC slips).

Enjoy. 🙂 >>



junthin - This was our experience as well. As stated earlier DC, retail or electronic, is totally useless for the very reason that you are using it in the first place which is proving proof of delivery in cases of a dispute between you and the buyer. NONE of the credit card companies and all of the online payment services with the exception of PayPal for items under $500 using retail DC will accept DC as proof of delivery in a dispute. DC does not provide any linkage to the address of the item that you mailed and the electronic version does not even have any linkage to the postal transaction showing how much postage was paid, weight, etc... The US Postal Inspectors service will not even accept it as proof! Other than creating a false sense of security for the receipient, DC is totally useless. You are far better off shipping via a carrier that provides tracking and basic insurance in their rate at no additional cost. All private carriers have customer counters that are easily accessible and even at their retail published rates, you will still pay less. The only competitive edge that the USPS offered over private carriers was flat rate Priority Mail under 5lbs, but since last summer when they split this service class into three different fee schedules, their only compettiive edge is in exists in the under 1lb category. As of 9/24/2002, all Prioirty Mail items over 1lb will be subject to rates are based on the weight of the piece and the zone (distance from origin to destination ZIP Code) . 9/24 USPS Priority Mail Changes
 


<< I understand your point.

But you do have an address and postage on your receipt...

Receipt

Tag

(Name and Street Deleted) >>



99% of all USPS locations use the old Unisys systems that do not print out the DC on the receipt. In fact, they don't identify any service specific charges.

The retail DC address is totally useless since you fill it out yourself and you could put anything you like. The people at the USPS do not verify what you write on the retail DC tag and in fact they don't even require it to be attached when you take it to the USPS. Since there is no address verification by the USPS at time of acceptance and the delviery address is never entered into their system, DC is totally usless in a dispute. You will loose!
 
I used this service before without a problem.But starting 2 days ago I can't load tha label page anymore.I dunno what's wrong 🙁
 
I use this freebee all the time. Also, so I have verification that the package was mailed, as the free DC is only scanned at delivery time (the one for $.40 gives you a record of post office receipt as it's also scanned when you purchase the DC option and at delivery) I have the post office print out the postage rather than purchasing stamps. That way I get a USPS receipt that shows the amount of postage purchased and the delivery destination (by zip code) of the package. As I also buy insurance for most of the items that I sell on eBay. So, what I get is free proof of mailing and free delivery confimration.

I only use USPS for light weight items as UPS usually has better rates for heavier stuff.

You can do a price comparison as to what the differences in cost are by using the USPS and UPS web sites. For UPS, don't use the "Rate" option, use the actual "Ship" option, but just don't complete the transaction, as you will get different rates for "Rates" and "Ship." Not sure why, but when ever I have computed the UPS rate, it's always lower when I actually print out a pre-paid shipping label.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 


<<
. Since there is no address verification by the USPS at time of acceptance and the delviery address is never entered into their system, DC is totally usless in a dispute. You will loose! >>



Untrue. Read my other post in this thread. All I had was e-DC that showed it was delivered for a fraudulent purchase with paypal. I got my money back.
 
Send a message to USPS about the <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi
">cgi</a> link

Here is their response


<<
Dear USPS Customer,

We are sorry you have encountered problems with our site. Thank you for
bringing this error to our attention. The error is being researched and
will be corrected as soon as possible.

Labels can also be generated by using the Shipping Assistant which is
available from www.uspswebtools.com

Please contact us if you have further questions.
 >>



The below two links work
Credit to fishlet in the post above

http://www.usps.com/shipping/eps_prm.htm

http://www.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.htm
 
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