Hey all, just offering up advice on shipping

[Youts]

I may work or have worked for a shipper you all use, and know the ins and outs, and am always open to sharing knowledge on how best to protect yourselves out there! Any questions feel free to ask, not sure if it’s allowed, but I know its always worrisome waiting for any package!

 

[n3rd]

Can they legally open our packages?

 

[Youts]

Or if you all would like some simple guidelines that I follow I would be more than willing to make a list, if it’s something anyone is interested in.

 

[Youts]

Customs can open any package, a mailman, or regular postal employee cannot, it would have to be seized and a request made by postal inspection. They need to file a federal warrant.
If a package suddenly drops off the face of the Earth, with no scans, there could be a few reasons, one is it’s seized.
At no time can local law enforcement seize a package in possession by postal employee’s without first getting approval from the inspection service, mailmen are instructed not to surrender any information on anyones address not mail/packages without an official court order. It’s all considered federal property, untill relinquished to the addressee.

 

[Cathead]

Please post best practices.

 

[Youts]

1. Get to know your mailman, it will never be your regular mailman if they are going to bust you. They do appreciate tips at Christmas time, the nicer you are to them the nicer they are to you.
2. Always tape your packages well, all seems, always tape over your labels, but don’t let the tape crease Over the barcode. If it gets damaged and the label comes off they can open it to see if they can find out where it goes.
3. If there’s an option choose express, they are always rushing to meet the deadline on delivery and they are often times overlooked for potential issues.
4. If all else fails, say nothing feign ignorance. Don’t accept anything you are unsure of, a mailman will always just leave a package unless it requires a signature, if someone is insisting on handing it to you, something is probably amiss.
5. If it goes missing and there are no further scans, your best bet is to chock it up as a loss and not inquire. It maybe nothing or it may be seized, better to lose the items than make it known your expecting them.
6. I can’t stress this enough, loose lips sink ships, never tell anyone you order anything, 10/10 times it’s tips from disgruntled exes, or friends, always keep your mouth shut.

 

[Raphael3636]

Great post brotha :facepunch:

 

[Sig516]

Uh hmm, we have a new asset, and again good to have ya

 

[Youts]

Thanks guys, anything I can ever help with, I’m always willing.

 

[Raphael3636]

What are the chances of random inspections on domestic items, do they even do that?

 

[Youts]

None, domestic shipping they need a warrant, only thing they can open and inspect is Media mail, so never try to save a few bucks by trying to send something Media mail that isn’t.
The machines have sensors, only thing it scans for is anthrax.

 

[ColoMuscle]

@Youts what is your opionin on having things shipped to the following locations…

-Your personal residence
-Rented USPS PO Box
-Rented UPS Store Box
-Rented Box at a small local mailbox store

Ive heard arguments for and against all of these options and but like anything in this game the deeper you dig on a subject you eventually end up reading a lot of horror stories that make you not want to order anything ever.

 

[Youts]

Personally, if I lived in an apartment complex id get a PO Box, single residence I’d get it to my house.
UPS, and other mailbox stores are not protected as well as say USPS. They are subject to local law enforcement and such, where as USPS is not, does shit get mis delivered? Yes, that’s why if I lived in an apartment building I’d get a PO box, more shit goes missing or gets in wrong boxes in those places.
That’s why it’s important to know your mailman, ask them how their day is going if you see them, Christmas card with a gift, make your name stick out. If you are unlucky enough to get on a route where you get a lot of different mailmen, make sure your name is inside your mailbox, it does help, and if all else fails, remember to never say shit, ever, there’s a good defense to not knowing what’s in a package, but people talk.

 

[Sig516]

Great Intel brother

 

[ColoMuscle]

Thank you. That really helps clarify things.

Seems like at the end of the day we all have to accept that there is risk to this and all we can do is take all of the necessary precautions to mitigate it.

 

[TG1]

Read Rick Collins books. Everyone in this game should read up on it if they haven’t.

 

[Youts]

Not talking is the biggest way to mitigate risk, and if it’s not your regular mailman, and they insist on knocking on your door and handing it too you, refuse it.

 

[Youts]

99,% of carriers take a lot of pride in their work and will go above and beyond to get something where it needs to go, even with a bad address or something of that nature, when I delivered I ran across FedEx and UPS pkgs sitting at vacant houses and what not, accuracy is stressed time and time again, and now we can see via gps exactly where an item was scanned. Privacy is always stressed, and taken very seriously, honestly if you can order so your stuff is delivered Tuesday-thursday, lightest days of the week, less likely for something to go wrong.

 

[Cathead]

Thanks brother! Great advice.

 

[ColoMuscle]

Really appreciate you shedding light on all of this. What are your thoughts on using fake names/pseudonyms? This is something else Ive seen recommended. Based on your previous replies I’m guessing you wouldn’t recommend it due to potential issues with accuracy of delivery, but I just want to cover all of bases.