topic Re: Postage Perception in Selling

Postage Perception

jellybirddesigns — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 06:39:22 GMT

When I have a buyer who purchases 2 of my items, I sometimes send them in a plain envelope as a parcel which costs $7.95 and I get a tracking number.

Today I discovered that the Yellow Express Post envelope costs exactly the same as a parcel - $7.95 and of course you also get tracking.

So, my question is - if you were a buyer and you received an Express Envelope, would you immediately think - "I didn't want Express Postage - I want to have just paid for regular postage!"

I guess it's all a matter of perception of value, and I'm keen to use the Express Post service, but I just don't want to invite any negative comments about postage.

I hope that all makes sense, lol.

Re: Postage Perception

twyngwyn — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 06:42:57 GMT

I'd send it Express....you could always ask the buyer if they want it sent Express at no further cost to them 🙂 ....Makes you look good

Re: Postage Perception

digital*ghost — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 08:44:35 GMT

Express envelopes are for documents only, so they have greater restrictions on them than they do standard post large letters.

I have to charge a few dollars for standard post, and over $10 for an upgrade to express because of this.

Re: Postage Perception

jellybirddesigns — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 09:51:14 GMT

Digi, are you sure that they're only for documents?

I'm looking on the Aus Post website and can't see anything that specifically says so.

It only says that the max weight is 500g and the thickness is 20mm.

Re: Postage Perception

digital*ghost — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 09:57:06 GMT

I'm afraid so.

I believe some of the terms are printed on the envelopes themselves, but I always refer to the full Aus Post letter guide for things like this, as the info on the website can be vague and misleading - this is from the latest version:

Re: Postage Perception

jellybirddesigns — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 10:05:55 GMT

Thanks Digi!

Re: Postage Perception

curraone — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:04:05 GMT

This is a bit silly then - you can send CDS in the Express Post envelope - but you can't send a book.

@digital*ghost wrote:

Re: Postage Perception

*tippy*toes* — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 22:26:53 GMT

Yes, definitely documents only. I tried a year or so ago to send something that wasn't a document, but still under 20mm and they wouldn't allow it. They are very strict about it I believe.

Re: Postage Perception

davewil1964 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT

Books are documents as far as I'm concerned. Especially paperbacks as they consist entirely of paper, like any other document.

Doesn't worry me, I don't offer express unless specifically requested. Which has been once.

Re: Postage Perception

twyngwyn — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 08:17:45 GMT

ditto....I send books (thin) & magazines in envelopes & have done for 7 years

Re: Postage Perception

bubblebooks2020 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 08:40:31 GMT

Why are you paying $7.95 to send a parcel, I thought the standard rate was $7.60 ?

Re: Postage Perception

jellybirddesigns — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:05:54 GMT

Julie - the price went up recently.

Re: Postage Perception

brerrabbit585 — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 12:20:33 GMT

The rules are a bit different for express. Ordinary letters don't have to be paper or documents only.

Re: Postage Perception

curraone — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 21:13:14 GMT

But the OP question is specifically about express post

replies about ordinary post are irrelevant.

Re: Postage Perception

curraone — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 21:17:47 GMT

@cushioncovers wrote:
When I have a buyer who purchases 2 of my items, I sometimes send them in a plain envelope as a parcel which costs $7.95 and I get a tracking number.

Today I discovered that the Yellow Express Post envelope costs exactly the same as a parcel - $7.95 and of course you also get tracking.

So, my question is - if you were a buyer and you received an Express Envelope, would you immediately think - "I didn't want Express Postage - I want to have just paid for regular postage!"

I guess it's all a matter of perception of value, and I'm keen to use the Express Post service, but I just don't want to invite any negative comments about postage.

I hope that all makes sense, lol.

In answer to your original question: As a buyer I would not object to the seller sending it by express - as long as it didn't cost me anymore than it would have by ordinary post. So in your example you were going to charge $7.95 for a parcel. But you think you can send it as express for the same, so why wouldn't the buyer be happy?

Of course it does raise the question as pointed out ^^^ you can't send your cushion covers in an Express Post envelope which says "for letters and documents only".

Re: Postage Perception

glenbankloel — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 22:03:24 GMT

Hi Julie, Aust post booklet "Aust Post charges" covers everthing, free at the PO. It is released twice a year approx.

And once you get over all the stuff in there, it is a very valuable little booklet.

Increase in pricing occured 2nd oct 2017, now $7.95.

Re: Postage Perception

glenbankloel — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 22:07:31 GMT

If I received something via Express service, and didn't pay any more for that specific delivery service, I think I would be very happy. As presumably would have arrived earlier than expected.

But have to agree with the other posters you might be opening yourself up to some problems with AP with it not meeting their requirements for that service. You might have been lucky so far.

Re: Postage Perception

davewil1964 — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 23:27:49 GMT

The point was that books, consisting wholly of paper, are documents.

Re: Postage Perception

curraone — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 00:02:47 GMT

I wish I could convince my local post office of that

Re: Postage Perception

springyzone — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 00:15:14 GMT

@cushioncovers wrote:
When I have a buyer who purchases 2 of my items, I sometimes send them in a plain envelope as a parcel which costs $7.95 and I get a tracking number.

Today I discovered that the Yellow Express Post envelope costs exactly the same as a parcel - $7.95 and of course you also get tracking.

So, my question is - if you were a buyer and you received an Express Envelope, would you immediately think - "I didn't want Express Postage - I want to have just paid for regular postage!"

I guess it's all a matter of perception of value, and I'm keen to use the Express Post service, but I just don't want to invite any negative comments about postage.

I hope that all makes sense, lol.

Well, it looks as if that idea has been nipped in the bud by the sounds of things as you won't be able to pass off cushion covers as documents.

But as a general principal (just supposing you had been able to go ahead), I think the answer to your question is probably that all buyers would be very happy to receive their parcel pronto. No doubts about that. But there would be a few who would think to themselves-hmm, maybe she could have done it slightly cheaper with regular mail, I wouldn't have minded saving a couple of bucks.

There would be bound to be. Buyers are a mixed species, as you know.

I know all the arguments sellers here put forward about people knowing the price before they bid and all that matters is the total price and so on but human nature is human nature.

So.. if the opportunity ever arises where postal regulations change & you can send your items express at the same cost, I would definitely use express BUT I would do what someone else said previously and have a little cut & paste spiel for each buyer where you explained you could send express at no extra cost to standard so you were doing that in order to get their item to them faster.

People love fast & they love getting extra for their money, but not as many like paying for it.