Heads up My Stealthy freinds (USPS)

[newjerseymax]

Nothing to fear but fear itself. I see a lot of people drop out of stealth from fear.

[vogeltron]

Originally Posted by yankee

you can also use a third party such as stamps and endicia and use your real address.

Not sure what the actual issue is to be honest.

Agreed

Or you can just print out a label on eBay black out the return address and tape a good one over it. I use a P.O. Box address that I rent as a return addy for all my stealth accounts.

[HurricaneHuntr]

Thanks for all the stories, that's what i wanted to hear.I know they get a bit crazy. I've been lazy, and i am making changes on these, fixing addresses etc... I understand their concern, but at the same time. I wish i still had a package in front of me when she opened the door. i would of opened it up and showed her it was just a XXXXXX and not something malicious. Anyway, it's been fixed and i will vary up everything about shipping the mail. I am in a smaller town so when i drop off 100 packages on monday or so.. i sell $10 items... The postal service people can get bitchy. Once last christmas. i rolled in at 430 and the guy had a meltdown. Which he apologize for a few days later and his supervisor did... 200 packages at 430 and close and pickup of truck is at 5.. i understand.

Thanks for the stories again!

[jeffweico]

I get the same thing. Our post office is a small one and thankfully the lady working there is nice. She asked me, flat out, to PLEASE bring in my packages before 3pm so she did not have to stay late to get them all scanned in. When I started using the SCAN forms, I thought she was going to kiss me! And I love having her on my side, because she can give me a heads up about any problems at the sorting centers, etc.

[Hercules]

I have a long list of ways to hide/stealth my packages and procedures
I go through to remain stealth because they DON'T need a warrant to open packages nowadays.
I sell legit now but I don't like it anyway.
Once I shipped a tiny book in a big box back to me at their office at 'book rate' prices
to see if they are snooping....I left a nasty note too if they tried to open it!
Sure enough the box was opened and the note was missing!!!

[jeffweico]

Actually, they still need a warrant for a lot of mail. But they CAN open media mail, bulk mail, non-profit mail, and first-class PARCELS. First class MAIL still requires a warrant. The following CANNOT be opened without a warrant:

• First-Class Mail® items.
• Priority Mail® items.
• Priority Mail Express™ items.
• Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®) items that contain only documents.
• Priority Mail Express International™ items.
• Priority Mail International™ Flat Rate envelope and small Flat Rate box.
• First-Class Package International Service items
• First-Class Mail International items.
• International Priority Airmail™ (IPA®) items, excluding IPA M-bags.
• International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) items, excluding ISAL M-bags.
• Certain Global Direct™ (GD) mail.
• International transit mail.

[Hercules]

I have buyers that have told me many times that my
1st class packages were opened.
Some kind of postal inspector tape was on some of them.
Perhaps there are new laws under homeland security
(another do nothing get payed well for nothing agency).

[jeffweico]

Originally Posted by Hercules

I have buyers that have told me many times that my
1st class packages were opened.
Some kind of postal inspector tape was on some of them.
Perhaps there are new laws under homeland security
(another do nothing get payed well for nothing agency).

First class PARCELS (packages) CAN be opened without a warrant. First class letters STILL require a warrant before they can be opened. I am not sure why this is, but it has been this way for years.

[Hercules]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

First class PARCELS (packages) CAN be opened without a warrant. First class letters STILL require a warrant before they can be opened. I am not sure why this is, but it has been this way for years.

That sounds right. I don't think they are trying to be nasty or sneaky.
To me they are all just doing a job to protect the public really, nothing sinister.

[vogeltron]

Originally Posted by Hercules

That sounds right. I don't think they are trying to be nasty or sneaky.
To me they are all just doing a job to protect the public really, nothing sinister.

I am sure I don't sent the volume of packages of other people. But usually USPS is pretty chill. I just drop items off no problem. There are a few post offices in my area worse than others and a few places that expect them by a certain time if it is a large amount as previously stated.

Overall USPS my only real complaint is Military Addresses were I can't print out a market Postal form and have to stand in line to have it scanned in and stamped. I can print out such things to other countries but not APO/FPO. Small percentage of my sales but drives me nuts.

[gonzoman]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

I have been through this before. It is not a big deal.

First, Postal rules state that you are supposed to be mailing packages from the ZIP CODE of origin, which is the return address on the package. This is important to them because they want to track how busy each post office is, and also because mailing a package from a different zip code throws off their tracking and time estimates.

Second, you (or someone else) mentioned that drug dealers use false addresses to ship drugs, which is true.

So, yes they are suspicious. Here is the fix:

Get an Endicia or Stamps.com account, or better yet, ShipStation. Stop using eBay postage.

Rent a PO BOX and use a d/b/a to create a generic sounding company, something like Northern Logistics, or Fulfillment Express, or something similar.

On ALL of your packages, use the name and PO BOX of your newly created company to ship all of your items.

OPT OUT of automated returns on eBay.

If a buyer wants to return an item, tell them no problem, please just send it back to the return address on the package. If the buyer does not have it any longer, offer to send them a prepaid mailer for the return.

This will keep you under eBay's radar, keep you in good standing with the Postal Service, and not arouse suspicions that you are selling drugs or engaging in criminal activity.

Valuable information as always. Thank you jeffweico.
Also, how do you OPT OUT automated returns?
I thought buyers could automatically ship back the item to the
address on your account?

[gonzoman]

In regards to the thread.
What I think is the "inspector" story they sold you is one big BS.
They probably noticed you ship many packages through them, and
check it themselves. One of them always dreamed on being a
superhero who saves America from Stealthers. I doubt if there was
ever anyone inspecting return address on packages

[Hercules]

I used to sell CD's overseas under 'document mail' or near that I don't remember the phrase to save on shipping/duty. When you ship it as a document overseas you get a lower rate and no declarations/lies on the package.
The local postal inspector opened them and sent them to dead mail because I had a bogus return address.
He knew it was me but to be a prick he sent them there.
From then on I don't ship overseas mostly because of to many 'lost' items.

[unkown5454]

find post office with 24/7 drop off bin and go at night. you say you sell $10 items, so how big can those packages possibly be that you need to drop them off during the day?

[vogeltron]

Originally Posted by unkown5454

find post office with 24/7 drop off bin and go at night. you say you sell $10 items, so how big can those packages possibly be that you need to drop them off during the day?

Definitely the way to go. I love those 24 hour drop bins, I usually drop off all of the next days orders every night.

[jeffweico]

Originally Posted by gonzoman

In regards to the thread.
What I think is the "inspector" story they sold you is one big BS.
They probably noticed you ship many packages through them, and
check it themselves. One of them always dreamed on being a
superhero who saves America from Stealthers. I doubt if there was
ever anyone inspecting return address on packages

Well, you have to admit, when one person drops off a lot of packages and uses several different return addresses, that can look suspicious to ANYONE. Many people use the internet to deal in illegal things, like drugs, and that would fit the profile of someone using bogus return addresses.

And there IS a rule that you are supposed to mail your packages at the zip code on the return address.

Also, EVERY PIECE of mail that goes through the USPS is photographed and digitally stored. I don't know WHY, but I am guessing that it is used as a tool by law enforcement.

There are easy enough ways to get around this and NOT raise suspicions. After all, stealth is all about staying under the radar.

[solefoodbk]

No but if were being technical there is such a thing as mail fraud.

Not saying this applies to OP just saying..

[NewYork]

First, if you take the time to find the 24 hour drop off bins, and are lucky enough to have one close to you, it will be your next best friend- no lines, no hassles, and makes getting the post office off your to-do list SO much easier.

Secondly, the same post office worker who drags their butt off to their "break" when there is 45 people in line is the same one who will take/find/make the time to be curious about what you're shipping and from where and if the return address is valid. They are MUCH more likely to look for a problem if it's in connection to a job or chore they don't like doing, or something that annoys them (like a mismatching zipcode on the return address that doesn't give them credit), so if you can't use the night time drop off box solution, take the time to print some small stickers to cover the return address to avoid the hassle.

Staying under the radar is the first rule in dealing with postal employees who seem to me to have a disproportionate amount of attitude and spite. Someone mentioned that their post office doesn't get the credit for shipping the package when it doesn't have their zipcode on it, and I only realized it was such a big issue to them when it was pointed out to me by a p.o. "worker" with enough attitude that I know she'd make problems for me if she ever found a reason.

Some little investments of time and efforts can really pay off big, only it's in hassles avoided which is something often under appreciated until to didn't avoid one.

[MM78]

Everyone "should" get to know their Postal Workers.....Every Christmas I give my Mail-Man a nice gift as well as the ladies at my Local Post Office....No questions ever asked, even when I have to pick up a package NOT in my name. Granted, it's not always easy to find a Post Office with good people but they are out there. I've never had a package get lost that was delivered to my Post Office.

[Appletvjailbreak]

interesting read... I have not encountered this and I have sent thousands of packages through stealth accounts.. all through the same post office, no issues. I would think you have nothing to worry about.

[Bob6574]

I'm new to stealth, but not to eBay.
I agree about being nice to your Postal Workers...it makes things much easier in the long run.
One way to be nice to them, especially if they are irritated with scanning 100 packages at 4:45, there is a scan sheet that you can choose to print along with your labels. All the Postal worker has to do is scan that one sheet and count your items.
I live in a small town and my Post Workers were relieved when I started bringing this in for them.

[HurricaneHuntr]

So far no issues.. My old routine was... mondays sales go out tuesday etc... But now, during off season monday's get picked up wednesday morning, i start the mail LATE tuesday so some of tuesdays does go out wednesday. I drop it off about 8pm and so far no issues. This saves them the stress of end of the day scanning etc.. I even saw a package arrive to the sorting center 6 hours early for once today.So i was happy about that. While they are going to be delayed an extra day, i feel better about it. I just put my box # on all the packages, and drop them off at my cool post office.Who never has given me an issue.I had planned on bringing them pizza or donuts once, but i didn't.I may do that once the holiday's begin. I can even get it ordered & delivered without showing up. And no i don't go back to the post office that gave me ****. i don't care if it looks bad, the particular supervisor that had said something to me, i've seen her on other occasions bitching at them in the back to get the line moving, she's one of those supervisor types that are hard ass's. I hated those, which is why i run my own business now!