severe wrote:I asked if I could use it but the answer was we don't use It for regular shipping. just as point of delivery for UPs shippments. With the final step carried out by the post office.
So they aren't exactly lying, just being boneheads.
I'm aware of how UPS Smart Post (chortle @ "smart") works. That's why it doesn't fly for APO/FPO.
So they obviously still have the capability to use USPS, just don't feel the need to offer it.
The problem lies in the fact that the customer is paying for the shipping. If the shipping were free, then they would have all the grounds and rights to send it whatever cheap and slow method they wanted. But the customer is paying, and that's where it falls flat. I can go to other domestic vendors and pay similar shipping costs and get the packages sent USPS. One even offers a membership where everything I buy is shipped for free under that membership (it's called plus, not platinum).
Yeah, cbid is operating under lower margins, but that's still no excuse. If the margins are that low and they are losing money on shipping as it is, then they could offer an "express upgrade" option. Have it follow the combined shipping policy, something like a $3 extra for the first item and $1 for each additional or whatever. Let people pick from USPS priority or real UPS Ground or something. I think they offer this at CI so the packing and shipping lines are all set up for it already.