topic Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light in Selling

I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light weig

crokat53 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:10:47 GMT

I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light weight item. I put the appropriate stamps on them and post directly into the letter box on the day or the day after the item is purchased. What am I to do about the back log of post parcels because of covid. Sincerely Kathy

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

sandypebbles — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:10:26 GMT

I have not sold in a while, so best someone else give you advice

When I used to sell items like books they most certainly got tracking numbers as they were too wide to go as 'large letters'

I also only ever posted them over the counter

If this is how you are posting, you know of the delays and that there are certain buyers who *will* jump on this as a golden opportunity

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

davewil1964 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:19:30 GMT

Approximately half my books go as large letters. Depending on value, I might use tracked envelopes, but that is the exception rather than the norm.

I have only ever had a handful of INRs out of many thousands I've sent that way, so I wouldn't worry about online shoplifters. Book buyers seem to have ethics.

As far as backlogs go, I haven't noticed an increase in enquiries about untracked letters since COVID hit. There are reports that letter post is not as affected as parcels. Probably due to the lower volumes.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

south.coffee — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 02:15:17 GMT

Letter mail is being delivered much faster than parcels at present as the sorting process is entirely different. Mechanical letter sort machinery can move articles up to 20mm in thickness at lightning speed and with a huge decrease in letter mail, has become a preferred and faster mail service.

Despite Australia Post moving to odd and even letter delivery, they are out pacing parcel delivery times by miles. I would not be too worried about paying for tracking, bearing in mind the letter post cost is well below parcel rates and you will cover any loss quite quickly.

Only an unscrupulous buyer might pick up on the lack of tracking and take advantage of that for a freebie. (We stick a lookalike tracking sticker on the front with a null barcode and no number as 'cover').

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

curraone — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 02:31:43 GMT

My only suggestion would be for the items that are between 250g and 500g that you can send as a large letter.

As the price for an Australia Post large tracked envelope works about at abour $5.40 (if you buy 50 at a time) and you would have paid $5.50 plus the cost of an envelope, if using stamps, I think it is worth it to change to this kind of tracking.

For the smaller lighter items, you just take your chances.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

davewil1964 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 03:47:05 GMT

C5s are $4.70 in 10 packs. They can also take 500g.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

oz-e-seller — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 03:56:23 GMT

My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

curraone — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 04:24:08 GMT

@davewil1964 wrote:
C5s are $4.70 in 10 packs. They can also take 500g.

I know, but I kinda like the large ones because they are made of cardboard.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

curraone — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 04:32:34 GMT

@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.

I have heard this about some Post Offices and it just makes me mad. There is no restriction on what you can put in the envelopes. The only qualification written on the envelopes is that they should be not used to send items with a total value exceeding $100.

Why don't you report them? That particular Post Office I mean. Or at least complain on Aust Post many contact options.

You could also just put the tracking envelopes straight into the red box - after removing the tear-off piece on the back. I have done this several times, and it still works, it just gets tracked at the sorting centre.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

south.coffee — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 08:43:50 GMT

As mentioned there is no restriction on letter contents any more, you can stick whatever you like. Open a case with Australia Post on their website but that could take months to resolve.

I had similar issue but I always stand my ground, take a copy of the Letter Lodgement regulations with you and ask the staff member to point out the restriction. There isn't one.

We send metal parts in envelopes every day and 19mm in width.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

davewil1964 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 08:55:08 GMT

@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.

How do they know they are books? They could well be a sheaf of paper. Hang on, a book is a sheaf of paper.

I post my tracked letters through my semi-local AP owned post office. Never had an issue, and the staff know they're books.

I believe EXPRESS is supposed to be for documents only, but I don't do express unless specifically requested.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

silver-fox-bullion — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:42:21 GMT

@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.

EASY WAY to shoot this down ask why you have to sign a dangerous goods dec on the enevople that meant only for letters. Watch them back track very quick works a treat the couple times they have try this one on me as the dangerous goods dec straight away shows that anything can be sent in the things... NOT just paper...

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

silver-fox-bullion — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:48:09 GMT

@silver-fox-bullion wrote:
@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.
EASY WAY to shoot this down ask why you have to sign a dangerous goods dec on the enevople that meant only for letters. Watch them back track very quick works a treat the couple times they have try this one on me as the dangerous goods dec straight away shows that anything can be sent in the things... NOT just paper...

Also further to this tell to read the flip side of the part they rip off it mentions goods right through it even their compo area

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

davewil1964 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:57:25 GMT

@silver-fox-bullion wrote:
@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.
EASY WAY to shoot this down ask why you have to sign a dangerous goods dec on the enevople that meant only for letters. Watch them back track very quick works a treat the couple times they have try this one on me as the dangerous goods dec straight away shows that anything can be sent in the things... NOT just paper...

That would work except for a few minor details -

There is no Dangerous Goods declaration on a Tracked envelope; and

There is no mention of goods anywhere on a Tracked envelope. There are 2 mentions of 'article', which is AP speak for a letter.

You are obviously thinking of something else.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

davewil1964 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:56:39 GMT

@silver-fox-bullion wrote:
@silver-fox-bullion wrote:
@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.
EASY WAY to shoot this down ask why you have to sign a dangerous goods dec on the enevople that meant only for letters. Watch them back track very quick works a treat the couple times they have try this one on me as the dangerous goods dec straight away shows that anything can be sent in the things... NOT just paper...
Also further to this tell to read the flip side of the part they rip off it mentions goods right through it even their compo area

Not on the one I have in front of me. 'Article' throughout.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

silver-fox-bullion — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:04:33 GMT

will grab one and highlight the words GOODS it there a number of times on the flap ya sign on the back... MAYBE THEY SHOULD PUT IT IN CAPS.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

davewil1964 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:08:41 GMT

I already grabbed one of each. There is no mention of goods, nor a DG declaration.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

joz15au — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:24:24 GMT

If you are talking about the large prepaid domestic letter with tracking, I also have one here and can only find reference to article and there is no dangerous goods declaration. Is it possible that they updated these from when they were originally issued? I can't remember ever signing a dangerous goods dec on them though. The only place you sign is the bit you tear off and keep, ie the lodgement receipt.

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

curraone — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 17:11:06 GMT

@oz-e-seller wrote:
My post office won't let you post books in the domestic envelopes with tracking, they reckon they're for letters only. I've not tried the next closest PO because it's a hassle for parking. But yeah just be aware some places won't take them with stuff in.

On the ebay page for the envelopes for sale by Australia Post

Suitable for sending Letters, small non-fragile, or flat and flexible items

which means you can send books in my opinion - they are plenty flat

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Domestic-letter-with-tracking-Large-Prepaid-Envelope-Pack-of-10/153192510787?hash=item23aafc3543:g:pqAAAOSwIr9boEdA

Re: I sell many books under 500g and Australia post does not give a tracking number for these light

jellybirddesigns — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:26:19 GMT

I noticed that you're offering free postage on your items.

Instead of free postage, why not have a postage cost of $5.50, or whatever it is to send a C4 tracked letter. This will give you peace of mind and will also be more profitable as you will no longer be absorbing this cost. Buyers will still buy if there is postage cost.

There's nothing you can do about the time it's taking parcels, but I know that mine are taking the same amount of time from Perth to the rest of Australia - around 8-10 business days, which is no slower than it was before Covid. Just to be on the safe side though, I have extended my handling time to about 10 days, even though I usually send within 2 business days of an order.