Shipping Deadlines

If you are like the countless of people that will be mailing packages this year you might want to jot these dates on your calendars. Knowing when the deadlines for your parcels to arrive on time will help you gage your time in mailings.

Dec. 4 — Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 — Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 16 — Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service
Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 — Priority Mail
Dec. 23 — Express Mail

Personally, I would be wary of sending my items using parcel mail as sometimes it takes longer than what the PO states. Another thing to look at is the cost. Take your package in and ask the postal clerk to compare prices of the various shipping methods. You might find only a small difference in shipping an item parcel and upgrading to priority.

I ship all during the week and the cost differences never cease to amaze me. I had the clerk do a comparison for me this week and the difference was only five (5) cents more to send priority than parcel. The funny thing is before she did it we both bet priority would be the best way to ship it in the first place.

Saving time and money is the forefront of all our thoughts. Do not think that sending a package parcel is the most inexpensive method. Although in some cases it may be, but the time in arriving might be longer than you would expect or want.