topic Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options? in Selling

Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

waynomelb — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:24:03 GMT

se Parcel Post Tracking Labels, they have doubled in price in 5 weeks, why have they gone up so much? Is it becasue they are busy? Are there any other options for tracked postage?

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

davewil1964 — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:28:43 GMT

What tracking labels?

AP parcels are tracked by default. And the last price increase was in October last year.

Which means...

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

digital*ghost — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:52:04 GMT

If you're not talking about the labels pictured, then disregard the following post

Interesting.... The boxes of tracking labels that Australia Post gave out for free have indeed dramatically increased in price (well, the price always was dramatic to me, I wouldn't pay anything for a label AP gave away for free, lol).

Looking at the sold history, I can see older listings like 400 for less than $70, 1000 for $220 - one of the current listings is 400 for $205.

These labels are basically obsolete, though, because they are now pretty much unnecessary and were primarily being used either incorrectly or fraudulently. Perhaps that's why the price is more grossly inflated than ever - i.e. now they are "rare".

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

waynomelb — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:54:50 GMT

Yes I am talking about them.

I only post Large Letters that cost me $2.20 to post. I then use one of those tracking labels so i know its tracked as i cannot get to post office due to work.

Do i have any other options?

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

wide-world-of-stamps — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:56:42 GMT

We generally post our items as untracked letters.

As far as we know, those labels aren't valid for letters, only parcels.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

digital*ghost — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 09:10:03 GMT

@waynomelb wrote:
Yes I am talking about them.

I only post Large Letters that cost me $2.20 to post. I then use one of those tracking labels so i know its tracked as i cannot get to post office due to work.

Do i have any other options?

They were only ever meant to be put on qualifying parcels - sorry to say but people putting them on non-qualifying packages like letters is one of the reasons AP discontinued production, and a lot of posties would actually void them so they didn't work if they spotted them on a letter.

The best option for a tracked letter (IMO) is the pre-paid ones - A5 size is $4.46 per envelope and the A4 size is $5.36 if bought in packs of 50+ ($4.95 and $5.95 respectively if purchased as a single). They can be up to 2cm thick, weigh up to 500g, and include up to $100 compensation (with some exceptions), so are pretty good value all things considered, especially as they can be cheaper than a non-tracked 250g+ letter.

The Aus Post shop has them on eBay, so if you ever get a good discount code and they qualify, it's a good option to purchase those.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

waynomelb — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 09:13:44 GMT

Well I send my goods in a padded bag and because they are very thin I get away with postage as a large letter. That’s what I meant to say.
I’m not willing to pay that much for postage as I would have to put prices up which would affect business.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

digital*ghost — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 09:27:32 GMT

The vast majority of my packages go as large letters as well, so I understand the conflict between wanting tracking and wanting cheap postage options. The tracking labels were free because tracking is now included on parcels at no extra cost (it used to be a paid extra), but free (or included) tracking has never been an option for letters, it was only ever registered post, and now the tracked letters (which, unlike reg. post, don't require signature on delivery).

My pricing is set up so that I can upgrade orders to tracked myself if the value is high enough, which I've found to be a decent compromise between providing cheap postage and having that assurance.

It's something to think about, especially as ebay is providing seller protection for INRs on tracked packages from October 1 until at least January, but will automatically refund buyers after 3 days if untracked.

https://sellercentre.ebay.com.au/SU20-2/Importance-of-Tracking

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

waynomelb — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 09:34:20 GMT

I want all my post to be tracked as I was getting too many complaints about not receiving items that it was costing me too much money.
There has to be another option that I could consider.
So will these tracking labels eventually run out? So I assume they are not making them any more?

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

digital*ghost — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 10:01:53 GMT

AP stopped making them a while ago.

This is the choice every seller whose items can go as letters needs to make - cheap, untracked postage + (probably) higher sales but (potentially) more complaints and refunds; or more expensive postage with tracking + (potentially) fewer sales and (hopefully) fewer complaints and refunds.

Risk vs reward, which option will provide the most benefit overall.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

glenbankloel — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 22:30:07 GMT

Check out AP's "Domestic Letter with Tracking".

We use them occassionally for very small items that are high priced and valuable.

We buy packs of 10, for $29.00. = $2.90 each. Larger quantities are available and probably cheaper the more you buy.

But for $2.90 per letter, you have your postage included, and also tracking.

You are automatically covered up to $100.00 for loss/damage and you can also add some extra cover if wanted.

A little bit of hand work (writing) to do but worth every penny and every bit of time we think.

Perhaps they might work for you?

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

silver-fox-bullion — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 01:33:29 GMT

To the poster. I raised a topic on auspost site a couple months back re the buying the tracking number esp for this sitution as we too were using padded bags for some of our smaller goods that fitted into the DL pricing. Even suggested that AP look at a pre paid padded bag range with the tracking the same as they DL range.

AT the time the reply from AP was THEY ARE going to be releasing a PADDED BAG DL letter range soon with the tracking for the gap. Guessing it will be the new year NOW with covid etc...

Atm we are using the DL tracked letters with a padded bag inside them as a get around.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

oz-e-seller — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 02:25:07 GMT

@glenbankloel wrote:
Check out AP's "Domestic Letter with Tracking".
We use them occassionally for very small items that are high priced and valuable.

We buy packs of 10, for $29.00. = $2.90 each. Larger quantities are available and probably cheaper the more you buy.
But for $2.90 per letter, you have your postage included, and also tracking.
You are automatically covered up to $100.00 for loss/damage and you can also add some extra cover if wanted.

A little bit of hand work (writing) to do but worth every penny and every bit of time we think.
Perhaps they might work for you?

Depends which post office you go to as some staff will insist these envelopes are only for paper letters, no items, even though that's not in the T&Cs.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

curraone — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 03:33:13 GMT

The Australia Post small domestic letter with tracking (about DL size) has a maximum thickness of 5mm - so I don't see how you can get a padded bag and the item in it.

And this is probably why the PO staff are putting their foot down?

The large Australia Post domestic letter with tracking (about A4 size) has a maximum thickness of 20mm, but of course it costs about $5.50

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

silver-fox-bullion — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 05:01:14 GMT

@curraone wrote:
The Australia Post small domestic letter with tracking (about DL size) has a maximum thickness of 5mm - so I don't see how you can get a padded bag and the item in it.

And this is probably why the PO staff are putting their foot down?

The large Australia Post domestic letter with tracking (about A4 size) has a maximum thickness of 20mm, but of course it costs about $5.50

there are 3 sizes you are aware of that?? the small is 5mm limited (DL) med and large are 2 cm limited the (C4 and C5)

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

curraone — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 05:45:10 GMT

You're right - I did forget the medium one. I was disappointed to be told they are only paper, not the cardboard mailers like the Large. And costs $4.70

But a poster ^^^ was talking about the DL size at $2.90, and I still don't think you could get a padded bag inside.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

waynomelb — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 05:52:36 GMT

Thanks for all the replies.
The items I post are very small, even the DL envelope will be too big. With a 0.5mm thickness limit it doesn’t really suit.
The bigger ones definitely too big.
A padded bag solution will be great but will be interesting to see how much they charge for that.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

danieh_6 — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 06:36:11 GMT

Though I don't use these anymore, I was told they are "purchased from the post office" buy these sellers and "the post office are price gouging" as these are free I think most of these sellers are working together as the demands higher. You can request them if your AP business account meets the turnover. Idk something fishy going on with these sellers.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

danieh_6 — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 06:37:42 GMT

@digital*ghost wrote:
AP stopped making them a while ago.

This is the choice every seller whose items can go as letters needs to make - cheap, untracked postage + (probably) higher sales but (potentially) more complaints and refunds; or more expensive postage with tracking + (potentially) fewer sales and (hopefully) fewer complaints and refunds.

Risk vs reward, which option will provide the most benefit overall.

I dont think thats the case.

Re: Why have Parcel Post Tracking Labels gone up so much, are there any options?

acermacca — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 06:50:39 GMT

it is my understanding they will only refund buyers if the seller has not responed or it can't be resolved.

if resolution has been met between the buyer and seller the case wont be automatically closed .