timrock's Posts

Can someone explain what "Economy" is (its not a US Postal term) and who ships it?

Hi Kathy,

That’s great but it does not explain what the term entails.

What do you get for economy? Is it sea mail, air mail, courier? Who knows?

Why use a term without an explanation? It raises more questions than it solves.

I want to but a book from you now on design.

The book is $15,95

Economy shipping is about $7. This would equate to what the cost should be for USPS Priority AIr.

But you have something else undefined called Priority that is about $10.50.

And then Express is more than the book.

If I know who is carrying my book, I would certainly be inclined to use them. For instance, I simply don’t like UPS service. I would choose USPS over them every time, even if USPS costs more.

But I have no idea what Economy is, who is delivering it or if it is even sent by air. And if I search for economy on the USPS site, the terms does not come up. So am I to assume someone else is providing economy.

Why undefine what is already defined by the companies you use.

Since I have no idea how this $15.95 book is getting to me, I am not buying it. So you guys just lost a sale.

It is very frustrating.

And now my book customers also have to play the same guessing game.

To me your logic that a certain kind of shipping “equals different things for different regions” tell me or nay buyer nothing about the reliability of the shipping service we are using.

Go to http://www.bhphotovideo.com.

Buy something. Type in my address.

It will list 6 shipping options. Each will tell you who, how, how much what and when. I can choose UPS, UPS Ground, FedEX, USPS – 3 options (that are found on the USPS web site).

I know what I am buying in a B&H product and I also know what I am buying in shipping.

I am paying money and I want to what I get when I select a shipper.

Does Blurb offer a book on Travel to Brazil and then tell the buyer inside the book the content will be different things for different regions.

No, you tell exactly them what’s in the book. If you tell them each book is a crap shoot, they’re not gonna buy it. So you tell them all about the product and hope, based on the description, it is what they want.

So why do any differently with your shipping? I am paying money for that as well.

It wasn’t broke. Why is Blurb trying to fix it? Just list the options and costs for USPS in USPS terms and let the buyer select.

Many times the problem is that companies use a black and white label for both Priority and Express because they are printed through a computer program and kicked out on a printer. Postal people are used to seeing the bigger Express labels and often will treat and Express package like Priority Air. Thus, the probable reason it sat in Ak for a few days. The solution is to have the shipper get some Express tape from the Post Office and wrap it onto the packages shipping Express. That gives the clerks a visual alert. The PO is supposed to refund shipping after I think 4-5 days if Express delivery is ignored and it is their fault. I think you need to talk to your postmaster. Blurb may have to initiate the refund.

Yes, but this is a case of Blurb once again not being wholesale driven, which is fine, just as long as we know what we’re dealing with. Blurb is first in the business of printing books, then selling them as a retailer and then way down the line dealing with wholesale interests.

What this does is make someone like me, who issues a number of press releases about his new book, now have to ask everyone I sent a release to to go to their site, find my release that they published, and change the link. Most will be reluctant to do this or it will take some time or just get lost in the shuffle. Its not easy getting press releases published all the time much less asking someone to change the link.

What Blurb needs is a re-direct function from the old book so anyone clicking the old link will get taken to the updated version. Or a re-edit function allowing an author to enter the Job Number of his old book when uploading the new version. As long as the new re-edits stay within the page count of old book, this would allow for updates. I wouldn’t mind being asked to reprint so Blurb gets its profit.

Right now, its not very self-promotion friendly to create a new book link for every edition.

The beauty of what Blurb offers is that every book can be a work in progress. But this system limits authors in promoting that very special aspect of Blurb’s product. You should look into this. Its what separates Blurb from your run-of-the-mill printer.

I didn’t think so. Kind of odd? Every other Forum I deal with alow you to edit and add for about an hour after you posted. Thanks again

T 

Am I missing something? Can I edit a new post?

That should be "NOW THANKING Blurb". (How do you edit posts????)

OK, let me try this again without the formats: 

Term Clarification

Finally, I applaud Blurb for getting on the USPS band wagon.

 But there is no explanation of the service offered .

Offered are: 

 Economy, Priority and Express

Now I assume Express is trackable US Express Mail. I assume the Priority is Priority AIR MAIL. So what is economy? Is it book rate, sea mail, another type of air mail?

Am I missing where this is explained or do people just guess at the service offered?

How do you edit these posts??

My comment should read above: 

"...and THEN realize you cannot sell the things in small quantities. "

Ooops, the formatting didn’t hold. But basically an order up to $49.99 costs $17.99 to ship to Asia. Anything over $300 is free shipping. Provides a lot more buyer incentive.

 TR 

It is still beyond me why Blurb can’t figure out how to use US Express Mail (internet trackable) or US Air insured. But it has figured out how to use Swiss Post??

In this case, I’d say Blurb needs to do a reprint and send the guy a new book. He’s paid and waited a reasonable time. Make up for the mistake and keep your customer happy.

Simple customer service.

Still awaiting US Mail options,

T

Hi Blurb Guys,

Just checking if there are any updates in the possible Q1 shipping solutions. I am sitting on a possible order for 20 large books but, as usual, the shipping is the problem.

Any news?

T