[ILL-L] Seeking tips and tricks to ease Postage Woes

[Amy Syrell]

Skidmore College isn't a large institution as colleges go.  Our UPS
costs probably average under $5.00 per package.  At that price, each is
insured for $100 and fully trackable.  The ability to track shipments
has saved us money in both directions; books we've never received and
books we've sent back but never arrive.  We can add additional insurance
for a slight rise in cost if we feel the item merits.  We send
everything just the ground rate via UPS and know it normally arrives in
2 days.  I am not advocating slammiing the USPS but for our purposes we
have found UPS to be a better value.
 
Amy B. Syrell
Interlibrary Loan Supervisor
Lucy Scribner Library
Skidmore College
815 N. Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
 
518 580-5520
518 580-5540 fax
asyrell at skidmore.edu
141.222.44.128 Ariel
 

________________________________

From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Megan Bayonet
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 8:56 AM
To: 'Interlibrary Loan Listserv'
Subject: RE: [ILL-L] Seeking tips and tricks to ease Postage Woes


On May 12, when the new postage regulations go into effect, there will
be a small (3-4%) discount if you print your postage online at the USPS
website.  There are greater reductions for those shipping a quarterly
minimum.  More info at:
http://www.usps.com/prices/welcome.htm?from=bannercommunications&page=pr
ices
 
In my experience, USPS is almost always cheaper than UPS or FedEx.
Also, keep in mind that USPS offers flat rate priority boxes which can
be very helpful if you're sending a lot of material to a single
destination and need it to get there quickly.  I believe they start at
$9.00.
 
UPS also offers discounts to those institutions with a high enough
volume (and someone dedicated to going after it).
 
Megan Bayonet
Interlibrary Loan Coordinator
mbayonet at mbc.edu
540-887-7317
 

________________________________

From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth H. Davis
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 8:36 AM
To: ill-l at webjunction.org
Subject: [ILL-L] Seeking tips and tricks to ease Postage Woes


Hello!
 
I don't believe that has been discussed recently*, but considering the
rising costs of mailing packages to other libraries, does anyone have
any tips, tricks, or ideas on how to save on US postage costs?
 
I'm going to go ahead and spread a wide net here -- even if something
isn't relevant to me, something might be relevant to another person on
this list.  I will be more than happy to post a summary to the list.
 
So if there is anything you did that helped save some money on postage
costs -- please let me know!  Feel free to email me directly or respond
to the list.
 
(*And if this has been discussed in the last six months, but I was too
involved to notice it, let me know as well!)
 
Thanks!
 
Liz Davis
ILL Librarian - FER
Hunt Library
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
phone:  386-323-8774
fax: 386-226-7040
ARIEL: 155.31.25.32
email: Elizabeth.Davis at erau.edu 

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