Responding to Postage Rate Increases: A Shipping Speed Reality Check

With postage rates increasing again, many businesses feel immediate pressure to find new ways to save. One of the first ideas usually dismissed is slower shipping speeds. Today, let’s do a reality check on shipping speed. Are you truly stuck paying for high-speed shipping, or can you—as my son would say—slow your roll?

✅ Speed Does NOT Equal Reliability

Packages get lost—overnight packages, 2-day packages, ground packages…all of them. After 20 years of responding to lost package claims, I can say this confidently: there is no shipping speed that increases reliability. Faster does not mean safer.

✅ Delays Are Frequent and Rarely Refunded

A few months ago, we sent out eight overnight packages over several days. The weather was beautiful, there were no holidays approaching, no major sales—it was an ordinary week. Six of those packages did not arrive the next day.

When we attempted to file claims, we received a variety of explanations for why refunds were denied: the package was too heavy, additional handling was required, the box dimensions were too large—and my personal favorite—operational delays.

Wait—what? If we pay premium prices for overnight shipping and it doesn’t arrive on time, carriers can simply say “operational delays” and keep the money? Yes. That is exactly how it works. In my experience, these “operational delays” happen far more often than most shippers expect.

Another favorite example: the U.S. Postal Service is allowed to mark a package as delivered up to 24 hours before it actually arrives.

The reality is that paying for speed does not guarantee delivery. And unless you have the time and energy to constantly file claims and push back on carrier denials, you’re often not getting what you paid for.

✅ Customers Often Don’t Care as Much About Speed as You Think

Setting aside last-minute holiday shoppers, most customers care more about clear communication than speed. Many of the world’s largest retailers actively encourage customers to delay delivery—and participation in those programs is strong.

Customers want tracking numbers, honest delivery windows, and clear expectations. Those who truly need faster shipping usually understand the cost and are willing to pay for it.

January is the Postal Service’s favorite month for rate increases, which makes it the perfect time to reassess shipping strategy. Shipping speed is a critical—and often overlooked—component of managing postage costs.

If you’re looking for additional ways to save, we’ve shared many resources on packaging optimization, international postage savings, and practical cost-control strategies. Be sure to explore those posts, and feel free to reach out if we can assist with your eCommerce shipping.