DC numbers

[surfergrl311]

i was actually talking to my grandpa about this the other day, he was in the postal service for as long as i can think of! but he was saying that if your sending the US..things rarely get lost..its when your sending outside of the US something could happen...and that your packages sent through the US usually get to there destination eventually... but i still like this theory, and if my package was lost..i'd be happy to resend!

[mthompson828]

The post office has info about delivery confirmation here:
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/extraservices/deliveryconfirmationservice.htm

As they say in the stockbroker disclaimers, "Past performance is no guarantee of future success" or something along those lines.  Just because someone has had a specific number of successful swaps, does NOT mean that they will not a, flake, or b, have something come up and not send/forget to send.  On the receiving end, I think it's nice to have that number because it gives an extra measure of security that your package is on the way.  Also, sometimes the PO misdelivers.

DC is only 45 cents or 55 cents depending on which way you ship.  You can get it on almost any type of shipping you choose.  If you're paying more, maybe what you are actually getting is another form of tracking, such as insurance or registered mail?

I think it's worth the extra half a buck.  Just my two cents worth.

[pibbgirl]

DC numbers don't stop people from flaking though.  The only people getting DC numbers are the non-flakers and they don't do much for them because they are not for tracking!  And the numbers that never get registered with the usps but are paid for are very pointless and a waste of money!  I always feel like I was taken when I pay for DC and my partner says she got my package but the usps website says there is no record of that DC#.

[surfergrl311]

DC numbers don't stop people from flaking though.  The only people getting DC numbers are the non-flakers and they don't do much for them because they are not for tracking!  And the numbers that never get registered with the usps but are paid for are very pointless and a waste of money!  I always feel like I was taken when I pay for DC and my partner says she got my package but the usps website says there is no record of that DC#.

yep happened to me in the earring binge swap..the DC #'s didn't even work...

[Saturn]

I've been selling a few things on e-bay and have found the same problems with DC's. Plus our post office is always crowded and everything I've shipped with them has gotten damaged in some way. I have a feeling that it's just my branch though. So I avoid it like the plague.

Now I go to the UPS store. Nothing ever broke with them...yet... and I get a tracking number for just shipping ground. Might be a little more expensive, but I find it's worth the peace of mind (esp. if you have to go to my local post office!) ^_^.

Something I've been doing though is scanning the parcel shipping order slip and e-mailing it to the buyer. This gives them all the possible information on their package and lets them know I'm on top of things. Perhaps this could stand in for a DC number if there are problems attaining one? It proves that you sent it and does give a shipping order number that I believe you can call and ask about if there are no other tracking numbers. Might be good for swaps too...

I could be wrong though. I'm just a newbie here :-p

[star69]

Well, in the case of the package not getting delivered, I'd resend the items as well.

[norsgoebel]

I've been using the click and ship service from the US post and it has made things a lot easier.  They include the DCN for no additional charge, you can print out the label and drop the package in a mail box or even have your postal worker pick it up the next day when they deliver. For those that live in apt's you couldn't use the pick up service and you would have to have a credit card to use the service online, but it has saved me alot of time doing it this way.

[mayerlove]

I've been using the click and ship service from the US post and it has made things a lot easier.  They include the DCN for no additional charge, you can print out the label and drop the package in a mail box or even have your postal worker pick it up the next day when they deliver. For those that live in apt's you couldn't use the pick up service and you would have to have a credit card to use the service online, but it has saved me alot of time doing it this way.

where can i find more info on this? i have no working printer, but i could go to the library and print one out and mail it across the street at the PO! do you have to have a credit card?

[knitster88]

I've been using the click and ship service from the US post and it has made things a lot easier.  They include the DCN for no additional charge, you can print out the label and drop the package in a mail box or even have your postal worker pick it up the next day when they deliver. For those that live in apt's you couldn't use the pick up service and you would have to have a credit card to use the service online, but it has saved me alot of time doing it this way.

im also very curious. can i print it onto regular paper and put clear packing tape over? i dont wanna buy some sticky lables that id use only when i swap but i like the idea ALOT

[norsgoebel]

The link is   www.USPS.com    You do have to have a credit card because you are purchasing the postage online.  You don't need any special labels, you print it out on regular paper, cut out the label part and tape it to your package