https://www.aspkin.com/forums/ General discussions on shipping, customs, tracking, USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, EMS, etc. en Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:52:33 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.aspkin.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.aspkin.com/forums/ https://www.aspkin.com/forums/shipping-talk/154376-us-sellers-miscellaneous-shipping-discussion.html Tue, 19 May 2026 20:06:41 GMT With the cheapest tracked shipping for packages under a pound now being $6 or more with USPS.. I'm just curious what other sellers here are doing to stay profitable in the face of perpetually rising shipping and fuel prices?

I've seen a lot of talk about photoshopped/foofoo shipping labels being used, wreaking havoc with USPS's tracking system. On the USPS complaints reddit I saw a thread a few days ago with a mail carrier claiming their supervisor told them to deliver packages even when the postage is obviously fraudulent, because not delivering would cause a delay.

I haven't come across that yet with anything I've ordered but I've got to say, I'm almost tempted to try it (just kidding, postal inspectors)

A few weeks ago I had a $2 order which was advertised as having domestic Fedex shipping included free. The order arrived a month later via epacket from China. I assume the seller chose a fast domestic service to help their listing rank better.. but it seems like a pretty reckless strategy since the package arrived a month after the advertised delivery window.

I also learned via the USPS complaints reddit that all outgoing mail now sits at the receiving post office for an extra day, regardless of location. Instead of the 2-ton truck coming each evening for outgoing mail, it comes the following morning. Overtime continues to be cut, postal workers everywhere are saying their facilities are understaffed.. and the overall flow of mail really reflects both of those things. In all of the time I've been selling online, USPS has never been as slow as they've become over the past couple of months. Ground Advantage is now averaging 7 or 8 days to go from coast to coast.

Any input is welcome! :)

It takes me back to when I got my start selling and was able to slap tracking labels from the USPS website on "flats" shipping labels. At the time it meant the difference between paying ~$2.95 or $1.20. Such a workaround could make me some serious bank if done successfully in 2026. ]]> Shipping Talk phaz0rz https://www.aspkin.com/forums/shipping-talk/154376-us-sellers-miscellaneous-shipping-discussion.html