Bartertown.com

I just got this off the official site. [emphasis added]

Standard Post debuts
Parcel Post transitions after a 100-year run

In fiscal year 2011, USPS moved 2.148 billion packages — a number that continues to increase as more and more consumers shop online.
According to New Products and Innovation VP Gary Reblin, “The Postal Service is committed to identifying eCommerce growth opportunities to further strengthen its shipping business.”
Effective Jan. 27, 2013 there will be product changes that do just that. Parcel Post will be transferred to the USPS competitive product list and renamed Standard Post. It no longer will be part of the Package Services product category and while service standards will remain the same, Standard Post packages will receive USPS Tracking at no additional charge.This will be a new chapter in the history of Parcel Post, which recently celebrated its centennial anniversary. It was at midnight Jan. 1, 1913, that Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock and New York Postmaster Edward Morgan shipped packages addressed to each other, racing to be the first American to use the fledgling service.
Now, 100 years later, with a focus on its future in the rapidly expanding package delivery arena, USPS is transitioning Parcel Post service for the future as well, under its new title — Standard Post


Parcel post is cheaper and 1 way postage than Priority Mail. I don't know what the new prices will be or if it will still be only 1 way postage, BUT.. now it has FREE D/C.

I'll update when I found out more.

Free DC on Parcel Post? eh not too shabby. Too bad I generally am shipping Priority Flat Rate.

But, depending on the distance, parcel post is cheaper than priority. Sometimes only a nicle, sometimes by half.
I just crunched 3 quick price. From FL to CA. 1, 2, and 3 pounds. 1 pound was .30 difference. Both 2 and 3 pounds were about $2 different.
same weights going from FL to GA, 1 pound same price. 2, pounds only 20 cents less. 3 pounds under $1.

When I worked retail, it was just the opposite, the clser it was, the bigger difference in price.

So, check you options before you ship.

True, if your worried about saving a buck or two on shipping. But if you want to ensure it gets where its going in a timely manner then PFR is the way to go.

I ship almost exclusively via "Parcel" or "First Class." I cannot tell you how many times I've sent something half way across the country on Saturday, and it showed up on Monday.

Eric

I'll ship books by media mail, but anything model related goes First Class or Priority Flat Rate (unless I ship by UPS instead, which is rare).

I was told by the guy at the PO that media mail is going up in price.

Media is a special 'modified' parcel post. So when Parcel post goes up, soe does media.

Wow, just read an article on Spikeybits and it loos like rates are going up quite a bit, especially international. Any word on that kturock???

Remember with international rates you're paying both countries to deliver the mail. your country, to bring it to the airport. the other country to pick it up from the airport and bring it to the addressee. and an airline to transport it there in between.

when rates go up, they usually all go up. Priority, 1st class, insurance, d/c, post office boxes, media, parcel post, money order fees and other rates you don't/can't use.

It's like when gas goes up; it's not just the cheap gas but all of the grades.

I rarely have ever used parcel post in the past. I am very happy with shipping using the flat rate services, i find them to be by far the best bargain in shipping. Far and above anything UPS or Fedex has been able to match. I also like the free boxes delivered to you door and the free pickup .

Flat rate is robbery, if you're not packing the boxes with heavy stuff. If you're shipping lightweight items in those boxes, you're financially better off spending $.65 on a box at Walmart and using Parcel Post (or whatever they're calling it now) or regular Priority, even including the trip to the USPS.

Eric

The flat rates now have DC# included and for less then the two separate costed in the past. Couple that with being able to get those boxes free and never have to wonder how much shipping will be as its a set price I find them to be the best way to ship.

I rarely use the flat rates, but I still ship priority most of the time when shipping models. You can get more in a larger box (I reuse boxes that I receive unless they look worn) for cheaper than the flat rate price. Just buy a package scale and purchase the postage online (cheaper than buying at the counter).

Few issues with that. First you have to layout for a scale, which while maybe not all that much it isnt something that someone just doing the occasional trade would need. Two you need to have a printer for online postage purchases and some people (myself included) do not have one or the funds to get one. Third, while cheaper buying online does not give any revenue to your local PO and while that might not bother you, others may like their postal workers and want them to keep their jobs.