Help me figure out USPS services.

D

dibs2002

Registered Guest
Hi everyone,

I'm trying to write a shipping calculator for the mall, and I'm confused about the vast array of services offered by the USPS.

Which services do most people use?

Here is the list I got for a 5 lb 5 oz item. As you can see, I'm having a hard time narrowing it down because since I live in Canada, I don't know much about the USPS. Help!

Express Mail PO to Addressee is 32.05
Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope (12.5" x 9.5") is 14.40
Priority Mail is 12.95
Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope (12.5" x 9.5") is 4.05
Priority Mail Flat Rate Box (11.25" x 8.75" x 6") is 8.10
Priority Mail Flat Rate Box (14" x 12" x 3.5") is 8.10
Parcel Post is 15.01
Bound Printed Matter is 4.72
Media Mail is 3.99
Library Mail is 3.81

Thanks in advance,
Deb
 
Most people will use the regular priority mail category, unless the item is small but heavy. Then they ues the flat rate.

Media can be used only for books, videos, and other media that have no advertising. I use it on heavy books.

I never use parcel post.

On light items, there is a first class option that is cheaper than priority and usually just as fast. I use it for patterns.
 
Wow, there's so many exceptions. And these values I got from the USPS server in real-time and there was no first-class option...

Ok, I tried a lighter package - 2 oz - and got these options:

Express Mail PO to Addressee is 14.40
Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope (12.5" x 9.5") is 14.40
Priority Mail is 4.05
Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope (12.5" x 9.5") is 4.05
Priority Mail Flat Rate Box (11.25" x 8.75" x 6") is 8.10
Priority Mail Flat Rate Box (14" x 12" x 3.5") is 8.10
First-Class Mail is 0.63
Parcel Post is 6.85
Bound Printed Matter is 2.50
Media Mail is 1.59
Library Mail is 1.51

Yup, I think I would go with first class mail too...

Now how to plug that into a shipping calculator... Someone told me they wouldn't want buyers choosing flat rate, but why not if it's an option?

As a seller, would you want to choose which mailing options you support for your entire shop? Per item? What the heck is library mail?

Thanks for helping me think about this!
Deb
 
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