UPS Package Shipping Security Process Change

Because of the bomb that exploded at a FedEx Ground facility in Austin, Texas, UPS has mandated a change for its Authorized shippers in handling of certain packages.

From the service bulletin we received:

“When a customer brings a package into your location without a label, or with a handwritten label, you must ask the customer to open the package for a visual inspection of the contents.”

“If the customer refuses to open their package for inspection, you must refuse the shipment.”

We always ask what the contents are if we don’t do the packing per our Approved USPS Postal provider regulations, but appreciate your understanding if your package for UPS falls under this new criteria. We will not charge you to reseal the package. We just want to ensure that our carrier partners are safe. Thanks for your understanding.

21st Century Mail

We live in an electronic world. Cellphones, tablets, and computers now do so many of the tasks which just a few short years ago, had to be done manually. However, there’s one facet of our lives that has been slow to embrace technology: mail. Certainly, the proportion of mail one receives has changed dramatically over the last 15 years. We pay our bills online, text and email instead of writing letters, and receive more packages because of online shopping.

What if you travel frequently for business? Have multiple residences? Vacation? Identity theft is also an increasing problem. In 2016, 15.4 million people were victims of some type of fraud, up 16% over the previous year. So, how do you mitigate this risk and easily manage your mail?

The answer is:

Turn your old clunky metal mailbox into a virtual mailbox. A picture is taken of the outside of each piece of mail you receive. You can then decide what needs to happen to this mail, whether it’s opening the contents and scanning it, picking it up, having it forwarded to another address, or simply having it discarded. Your mail is available to you 24/7. And with a mobile app, you can turn your clunky mailbox into an email type inbox and manage your mail anywhere.

Your mailing address is a valid street address which is better than a PO Box because you can receive packages from FedEx, UPS, and DHL. It’s safe and secure. You get an email  that you’ve got mail along with push notifications if you utilize the mobile app. So bring your mail into the 21st century and put your clunky old mailbox out to pasture.

 

Package Receiving

With online shopping an ever increasing part of people’s and shipping company’s lives, it should come as no surprise that UPS has finally decided to start delivering ground packages on Saturday following what FedEx and USPS already do. They’ve rolled out the program in several major markets and anticipate that by the end of 2017, that they will be servicing 50% of the United States.

Even with that additional service day, there are many times that people won’t be home to receive or sign for a package. Formerly, UPS would make three delivery attempts before returning a package to the sender. Now they’re utilizing Access Points (which we are one). After the first delivery attempt, they bring the package to us. We hold them for 7 days enabling people to find a time convenient to get their package. FedEx will soon be following this by utilizing the drugstore chain Walgreen’s to hold packages for people. In larger markets, Amazon has begun using parcel lockers.

We offer free package receiving for our mailbox customers which can eliminate those delays in receiving packages, especially if it’s one that requires a signature. We also offer package receiving services for non-mailbox customers. Since we’re also an Access Point, people can have their package redirected directly to us. And of course, the best reason to use us for help with your packages, is that you can get a great cup of coffee to go with it.

Espresso Mail

Welcome to our new blog. In this blog, we hope to share information, fun facts, photos, videos and links about us, packing, shipping, coffee, and many of the services and products we offer. Hopefully you’ll find it informative and entertaining. Please feel free to leave us comments and suggestions, ask us questions and let us know what you think.