topic Re: The best Method To Mail in Community Chat

The best Method To Mail

Jordan2 — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:44:25 GMT

I get very confused about Priority Mail, Priority Express, and Certified Mail with Signature, through USPS. I live in New York state and need to mail important documents to the DMV ( because of COVID-19 I rather not go to the DMV in person). What is the best way to mail this? Priority Mail Express starts at $25 which is rather expensive, the Priority Mail with Signature is about $8 plus about $3 for the signature. Also what exactly is the difference between Certified and Priority Mail?

Re: The best Method To Mail

jackthebear — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:48:57 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I get very confused about Priority Mail, Priority Express, and Certified Mail with Signature, through USPS. I live in New York state and need to mail important documents to the DMV ( because of COVID-19 I rather not go to the DMV in person). What is the best way to mail this? Priority Mail Express starts at $25 which is rather expensive, the Priority Mail with Signature is about $8 plus about $3 for the signature. Also what exactly is the difference between Certified and Priority Mail?

I would do overnight with something like that, but I don't think I would trust my docs to the mail

the usps page has all the info

Re: The best Method To Mail

Irish1210 — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:56:17 GMT

Not sure if this is the official name, but I ask for "return receipt requested" ~~~ someone has to sign for the letter once it's been delivered. It's about $7.00.

Re: The best Method To Mail

kaydee50 — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:06:47 GMT

Fed Ex would be what I would use. Forget the post office.

Re: The best Method To Mail

Janey2 — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:08:52 GMT

Ask in the post office, they will explain your choices.

Re: The best Method To Mail

ScrapHappy — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:15:48 GMT

First make sure you have copies of your documents. Don't send originals. Priority mail is basically 3 day delivery with $50 insurance and tracking. I would definitely do certifid mail with signature needed. If going to PO Box, you can't do certified mail. Make sure you fill out the correct forms (it's usually a green one). When it has been delivered and signed for, you get that in your return mailbox. My husband sells a lot on Ebay and is at the post office all the time. When he's given shipping options, priority mail is usually only a couple of cents and sometimes 40 of 50 cents more than standard regular postage. I took my daughter to the DMV last November. We had to pre-register on line and there was a guard at the front door. Got a number once checked in. There was a lot less seating and it was all spread out. We got there before it got a little busier. When we were leaving there were people waiting outside because they will only let someone in when someone left. I was pleased with the precautions they took and we were in and out in no time. P.S. My daughter was there for her driver's permit.

Re: The best Method To Mail

ScrapHappy — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:20:08 GMT

I just wanted to add that the DMV experience is a lot better than my local post office. At least in my area. The lines are always long at my post office. Many don't social distance like they should and there is never enough people working at the counter. At my DMV, there were more protocal and safety measures taken.

Re: The best Method To Mail

Caffeina — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:23:00 GMT

First Class and Priority both have 1-3 day delivery. If you're just sending documents, I recommend First Class Certified.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-Certified-Mail

Re: The best Method To Mail

Sooner — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:28:37 GMT

I do ALL my USPS transactions on the online site. I can schedule a pickup, where the mail carrier comes to the door and get the package, then that person scans it and it is in the system.

That is the safest and probably cheapest way to mail a package--using one of their boxes. Either priority mail or priority flat rate--as much as a box will hold up to what 70 pounds or something like that? Best bargain around! Regional mail is for packages within a certain area or range of zip codes.

Go online and find exactly what you want, and they will even send the packaging to you by carrier.

Re: The best Method To Mail

Jordan2 — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:33:23 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
Fed Ex would be what I would use. Forget the post office.

@kaydee50 I spoke to UPS on the phone because I also need something notarized, he told me if it is a street address where it's being sent, they will take it, if it's a PO Box address it has to go through the post office (it is a PO Box). I would think it is the same for Fed Ex.

Re: The best Method To Mail

geezerette — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:35:27 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I get very confused about Priority Mail, Priority Express, and Certified Mail with Signature, through USPS. I live in New York state and need to mail important documents to the DMV ( because of COVID-19 I rather not go to the DMV in person). What is the best way to mail this? Priority Mail Express starts at $25 which is rather expensive, the Priority Mail with Signature is about $8 plus about $3 for the signature. Also what exactly is the difference between Certified and Priority Mail?

First Class vs. Priority Mail

Letters, flats and packages weighing 13 ounces or less are considered First Class mail. Traveling as ordinary mail, these items typically arrive at their destination in two to three days. Priority Mail service gets most items to their destination in two days, and can be used for any mailable item.

Certified Mail

Certified Mail service can be added to any First Class or Prioity Mail Item. Certified Mail service provides the sender with a unique article number that the Postal Service uses to track the item and maintain a record of delivery. Certified items must be signed for by the addressee.

Certified Mail

Certified Mail was added to the Registered Mail system in 1955. The USPS introduced it for people to send important mail for less than Registered Mail. Today it’s used to transport important documents like tax returns and legal notices.

Certified Mail promises USPS delivery of your letter or package. You receive a unique article number to prove the piece mailed which you can use to track the status of the delivery online. When the piece gets delivered, you’re notified of the time and date of delivery.

Certified Mail gives you proof of delivery. If someone claims they didn’t receive your package, you can prove it got delivered.

You can’t insure Certified Mail the way you can with Registered Mail.

Certified Mail isn’t transported in a locked compartment the way Registered Mail is.

Re: The best Method To Mail

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:51:12 GMT

I live in New York. I had to mail plates back to the DMV. I did it through overnight mail.. It got there without any issues.It cost a little extra but it was worth not having the stress.Piece of mind is worth it.

Re: The best Method To Mail

FancyPhillyshopper — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 22:11:22 GMT

During the holidays, I sent a small package with USPS 3 day Priority, with signature and insurance. It took over three weeks to arrive!

Priority express is supposed to be overnight---similar to Fed Ex.

If the items are extremely important, I would only send by Fed Ex. You can track Fed Ex very easily.

The USPS is having many problems, and UPS is only a step above...

Yes, it costs more, but peace of mine is priceless.

Re: The best Method To Mail

patbz — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:14:57 GMT

DH and I went to DMV yesterday to renew his license. It took twenty minutes without an appointment ( less capacity during Covid but very safe, lots of barriers). I've been so impressed with Arizona DMV in 14 years I've lived here (boy I wish California could copy their efficiency and professionalism).

Re: The best Method To Mail

CalminHeart — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:03:24 GMT

It can be expensive but I'd never send official documents any way but priority or overnight. If they contain any personal information, I'd send overnight. You can put the tracking number in usps.com and track it and get confirmation of delivery.

Re: The best Method To Mail

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 14:13:47 GMT

I wouldn't use any of it. LOL

I work in an office and we've had issues with everything from USPS to FedEx to UPS.

We have to send out a lot of certified mail and because of Covid, the carriers aren't required to obtain a signature on the green card. They are allowed to put it in the mailbox and write Covid in the signature block. You have no idea if it was really delivered, to whom or who rec'd it, if anyone.

2 weeks ago we sent some very important documents and checks out via FedEx overnight. They were not delivered due to weather. As of today, they have still not been delivered to those who were supposed to get them nor have they come back to us. They are floating around somewhere.

Re: The best Method To Mail

gardenman — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 15:07:20 GMT

The quality of Fed-Ex varies wildly depending on where you live. Here, it's horrible. I let out an audible groan where I hear something is coming Fed-Ex. I've got a "two-day" Fed-Ex package that's been in Boise Idaho for four days now. I don't think of Boise, Idaho as being an especially busy Fed-Ex hub, but for whatever reason, my package is just hanging out there instead of coming here. It was supposed to be delivered yesterday, then today, now it's tomorrow. Since it's been in Boise since Sunday morning and it's still there, I'm not wildly optimistic.

The post office and UPS are great here, but horrible elsewhere. Amazon is great here. Fed-Ex is a nightmare.

Re: The best Method To Mail

Mmsfoxxie — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 19:46:14 GMT

I don't know about 2021 but in 2020, no signatures were required for anything, due to COVID-19. USPS for certified mail nor UPS for packages.

Re: The best Method To Mail

riley1 — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 23:02:02 GMT

@Jordan2 - I had to go to the DMV in August and I was surprised at how organized it was. Had to make an appt which I did online and only people with appts were allowed inside. The chairs were appropriately spaced and you got called to go inside when they were ready.

If you really need to send something, I would go certified mail so you know they received it and make copies of everything you send.

Good Luck.

Re: The best Method To Mail

chrystaltree — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 23:30:44 GMT

If I need something to get their quickly with a signature; I send it via FEDEX.