First Class Large Envelope Certified Mail Vs Fcp

I purchased 4 sheets of modern stamps from a seller on eBay and the seller decided to ship them via First Class Mail with a Certified Mail addition. I have no problem with the seller protecting themselves with some form of tracking/delivery receipt.

Is there any advantage of a seller using First Class Mail with a Certified Mail addition compared to First Class Package that already comes with tracking? I live in a large geographical area zip code so if I happen to be otherwise occupied when the doorbell rings or not at home, it's a long trek to the post office. Does Certified Mail have comprehensive tracking information just like Priority Mail?

Another unrelated eBay question, do sellers receive an e-mail reminder from eBay to ship an item or is it up to buyers to politely send the seller a "Let me know when it ships" message?

We have lists of "Items awaiting payment" and "Item awaiting shipment" and we work off those lists. I don't get reminder emails.

The sellers themselves set up the time frame that they ship items. Such a shipment window should appear in the listing. I would not inquire about a shipment unless it is passed their stated time window for shipment.

Does that make sense? I hope so.

I cannot imagine any reason to send a shipment certified mail, as a first class package already has tracking. Makes no sense to me at all...

John

Certified mail is tracked.

As to sellers, First Class, third class/merchandise enclosed can also be Insured which tracks the item, indemnifies the item and is less money at $100 than Certified and just a dime more than certified for $200 coverage.

First Class packages is harder to answer since zone (distance) and weight, in ounces, create may cost levels.


Go here: https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manual...otice123.pdf for the current Rate Notice 123

AND here: https://pe.usps.com/resources/Price...otice123.pdf for the new version for rates beginning Jan. 22, 2023.

You can get the updated versions (as well as older ones) by just searching for "usps notice 123 pdf" and to be more specific you can add a date, such as January 2022, October 2022, 2023 or the like.

PPG: If a regular or large FC envelope goes through a sorting machine, how does an employee know if it has a Certified label on it to scan?

It gets scanned before it goes into sorting.

Besides being a large bright green sticker with the words Certified Mail you can see from 10 feet away, there are coatings on the label to trigger the sorting machines. I don't know which glow material is used but there is a big square of it on the label.

Now as the item is handed over the counter, it is scanned by the clerk. If a card return receipt is included that is scanned as well (the new version have coded and printed numbers for tracking). Now if you just drop the item into the mail stream, which you can do, it will not enter the tracking system until it reaches the first scan point in the mail stream and is in fact scanned.

Y'all are a fountain of knowledge. I checked the tracking on mine and so far it is as follows.

PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
City/State

USPS in possession of item
City/State

So it looks like it gets tracked just like Priority Mail, FCP, etc..

Just annoying that you have to be home to sign. Kind of like waiting for a contractor who tells you he will be here sometime between 9:00am to 5:00pm LOL. Only in this situation, the USPS isn't going to wait around if they happen to ring the doorbell and one is "occupied."

Learn something new everyday!

One advantage of a PO Box is that the item waits for me, not me for the item. Also it is not subject to a carrier having to carry and deliver it in wet or snowy conditions. I had a PO Box for that reason for 43 years when I had street delivery. Where I am now there is no street delivery and never was, but we are given free POBs.

This, a POB, also thwarts porch pirates and non-postal mail thieves.

Stamp Smarter has a back file of these USPS Notice 123 here at https://stampsmarter.org/learning/PostalRates.html

Mike