PROFILE SURPRISE - with delivery confirmation!

Just an FYI- regarding the U.S. postal service, the delivery confirmation service can be absolutely useless. I've had a package I put delivery confirmation on and all that happened was that the delivery was never confirmed, period. They had absolutely NO tracking on the package. If you read the fine print it provides no tracking and no insurance. So, if it's lost or never delivered, all the post office will do for you is give you a long form to fill out regarding the lost items, and rarely does anything come of that.

Sorry, obviously I'm bitter about it, but this has been my experience with this service.

The EXACT same thing happened to me, denisemichelle! I got "Delivery Confirmation" on a package that never arrived, and the post office just said "eh. it never arrived." They were able to tell me it had been logged at one part of the system, but had NO clue where it went after that, or where it was... what the heck are we paying for, I wonder....

I know DC isn't tracking, like UPS or anything, but I think she is looking to give those who have been scammed a little bit of reassurance - if you've got a DC receipt, its stamped with the outgoing PO/date, and your receipt (at the PO I use anyway) shows the intended zip code, as well as the tracking number, along with the postage total paid. It represents proof of outgoing mail, not so much tracking - like it really should be - its got a BIG barcode on it, there's no reason their machines can't log into a database when it gets scanned at each mail stop on the trip, and let us access that information through the USPS website...although they can look at that kind of data through their computers, if you take your DC receipt in and ask what the problem is...although as Clayshaper above said, it doesn't give you any data as to what happened, only an idea of where it was last seen.

i have been using the service on the bigger swaps and just sent one out three days ago when i checked it told me it wasn't in the system. first time this happened to me.

Is this International swap ?

I asked about some of these things at the PO the other day and they are not updating as much because of security issues with tracking packages. So makes me ask what is the point but again like was mentioned above - It is proof I mailed it. Now if you want to have your package insured then you can get your money back for the package if it is lost in transit. This however requires the assistance of the sender as they are the ones supposed to file the request for coverage under the insurance - so unless your partner is cooperative this also is useless. Anyway HTH

i've sent out items with dc before...sometimes it was helpful, other times not.

however, when i have taken them to the post office to send, some clerks just charge the extra dc fee for a first class package/letter. yesterday when i went in the gal told me i had to send it either by priority mail or certified to be able to have the dc. if i was sending a package via priority mail, it wouldn't have been much of a problem. but this was for a letter that only weighed a couple of ounces! to send it priority, would cost over $5!! so i sent it certified, but still had to pay about $3 for it.

so, does anyone know which is correct? does an item have to be priority or certified to get the dc? that would make a huge difference on postage fees!

I always use DC. My po said it has to be Priority to get it. (But who knows.) Anyways, I mostly use it for proof that I sent it. The postal system has been SO messed up lately--I actually filed a complaint on their website! But anyways, back to the swap itself, it sounds fun. I love the big surprises!!! And I just got my very first heart today. Woo-hoo! Just wanted to share that with someone. Hee! Looking forward to this swap!

I thought DC was only available for packages, and letters you had to use some expensive option like wicked faerie mentioned... Here's is what their site says...and it appears to be parcels of any type and envelopes over 3/4" thick, 6 oz. or more, going to most places that have a zip code.

Track and Confirm is the site to enter the DC number into...but it also works to just type it in Google, and it will give you a link to follow where it auto-fills that data into the site.

Sorry if too much info, I like finding this stuff online even though it is a pain at times =)

Thanks for putting a dollar amount on this. I was just in one similar, sent out a nice package worth about $20, and got an envelope with about $1.50 worth. Uhh! It's all part of the game, though. Maybe I'll have better luck this time!

First Class packages can not have delivery confirmation. You can however insure all packages. If you really wantto be safe the only way to go is UPS or FedEx which gets costly. I think it is all in the host and the senders to cover, which isn't always an easy thing or what is done. With all swaps it is always a bit of a gamble, but hey, we all play huh? I have sent and not received for several swaps and I have also gottan some amazing packages that had so much thought put into them I cried. That's why I keep swappin' Just my 2 cents worth...I'm off the soapbox now!

FYI you can not get DC on international packages SO is this one international?

Since the host (youcancallmesam) is away from swaps for a while due to a car accident, you folks might want to drop from this swap.

How disappointing - I love putting profile-based packages together, and would have loved to join this swap. I hope someone will host another one soon. Most importantly, I send healing wishes to "youcancallmesam" for a speedy recovery!

With Sam being unavailable and not well, and in addition to the very important point firebirdgirl mentions above, I'm gonna wait until the next round, see you then!

Where is Precious? Are you okay? I hope so! I haven't heard/received anything yet!!!