posted on August 24, 2000 12:24:35 AM new
I've been PMR(post master relief) at our local post office since Feb.
I just learned this today. I'm working the Whole week as the regular post master is on vacation. PLUS I'm working my other RL job as well(just got home 1:30am).
OK to make this short and sweet so I can go to bed.
DID YOU KNOW????
You can take a FREE priority Envelope that is "flat rated" $3.20, and put ANYTHING you want in it as long as you can cover the item with the envelope!
I argued with a customer today, because she dropped off a package that weighted 5 pounds and only had $3.20 for postage on it($6.40 if in a box).
She said weight does not matter with the "priority envelope".
I called another office for verification and guess what? She was RIGHT!! It says right on the priority envelope.
NOW......I'm mad as hell that my postmaster(boss) did not enlighten me to this. I've been doing business with him for 3 years on this stuff and NOT ONE WORD about it.
Then to ADD INSULT TO INJURY after he hires me he SAYS nothing!!!!!!
Just think about it you could mail a 10 pound brick in the thing for just $3.20.
Well its 2:30 here I got to be at the PO at 7:30am I better turn in......
Catch ya all later, just thought you might want to know.....BUT......REMEMBER......you didn't hear it from me!
posted on August 24, 2000 12:33:54 AM new
Ya, I know about that. Unfortunately, with the stuff that we ship, flat rate envelopes are completely useless. They need to make them a tad larger.
posted on August 24, 2000 12:41:23 AM new
Actually, the limit that that envelope can handle is 5-6 lbs, before it will break, either when you shut or tape it close, or thru handling, rough or light.
It also depends on the item also. A book will have sharp edges, so it may puncture thru and make holes, unles you wrap that envelope with packing tape.
As for the wording...eh, that's hard to tell...
I've stuffed maybe 4 lbs into one of these envelopes (my record is 4 lbs, 9 oz), and only one caused problems with the clerk.
Still it's hard to tell. My local PO's may be leinent, but then again...
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on August 24, 2000 12:42:37 AM new
I would be a bit concerned about whether the packing was going to hold up if I mailed or someone mailed me a five pound item in a priority envelope.
posted on August 24, 2000 12:43:09 AM new
This person today had that envelope wrap around a box and it weighed 5 pounds. I'm thinking of all the small heavy things I've shipped(cast iron pieces) that could have been manipulated to fit in an envelope such as those.
It will surely be something I will keep in mind for future use!
posted on August 24, 2000 12:50:45 AM new
Yes, I use them all the time. I put books in bubble envelope and then into the priority envelope. I am always really happy when an especially heavy book fits into the priority envelope. Global priority envelopes are the same thing up to 4 lbs. Always tape the *free* Priority Supplies -- they don't hold reliably on their own.
Also, I believe the envelope is supposed to maintain its shape.
I also use the Priority tyvek envelopes as the "waterproof" cover. Sometimes I put the book in the Tyvek and then in the Priority Cardboard envelope. They only say that you have to use them for Priority Mail, there is no rule that you have to use only one free item at a time.
Another great secret is to get the Priority Mail address labels. You have to call and order, but you can get them with your return address pre-printed. Very cool!
posted on August 24, 2000 12:51:37 AM new
Gosh folks! We need to thank this USPS employee for revealing trade secrets. Maybe it will encourage more of them to come forward. I appreciate your time in writing to us. Now would a postal employee step forward and reveal what "really happens" to the packages I mark "fragile"? Are they really tossed like footballs?
[ edited by belalug3 on Aug 24, 2000 12:52 AM ]
posted on August 24, 2000 12:52:23 AM new
She had that package tape every which way from hell.
But.....hey it worked for her....it seemed secure enough.
You had to see it to believe it. It looked like a priority box......I had no idea it was an envelope till she pointed it out.
Where there is a will there is a way!
Like I said it is sure something to keep in mind if you want to save someone on postage.
Postage is going up the first of the year. No one is going to be happy about that!
posted on August 24, 2000 01:06:35 AM new
How do we retrain PO staff who rule the a Flat Rate mailer must be flat?
There is a big parallel here with Global Priority mailers.
The 9 1/2" x 12 1/2" mailer can be filled to 4 pounds for $9.00 and goes airmail anywhere in under a week.
But there is a technique required for the safe shipping of books and similiar bulky items.
Here it is...
The goods must be securely wrapped within the mailer.
Use the mailer to carry...
1. the pre wrapped goods
2. the stamps or receipt sticker
3. the [g]green[/g] Customs declaration sticker
3. the buyers address
posted on August 24, 2000 03:03:34 AM new
Hi glad to hear from you! I use these, in fact i now see if a book i want to list will fit in it easily BEFORE i decide to list it.ha...one question, my postmaster is really great,helpful, has taught me so much, but he says he was instructed NO TAPING ALLOWED ON THESE ENVELOPES. so if i have something heavy
it's hard because the thin strip of tape is very questionable whether it's safe. Of course as sellers,many times of a "one of a kind" item,we must be sure it won't pop open.so anyone else have this problem,are you allowed to tape it without paying the higher rate? Sure appreciate any replies, i'll print out your replies for him.
thanks & appreciate your help,Pam Oregon
posted on August 24, 2000 03:25:33 AM new
Hey bela, when I worked a motor delivery route out of a very small town they just threw the box off the semi on the way by when they were late. When the trucks broke down they had a helicopter "drop" it off. Boy, that was a fun job! Naturally,we didn't want to get hit,so we got waaay out of the way!
Geez, I must need some more sleep! Or some coffee this morning.
posted on August 24, 2000 09:34:53 AM new
I normally go to the same PO and never had a problem with taping a priority mail envelope over 2 lbs and paying only 3.20. Then recently I went to a different PO and was told if you tape a priority envelope and it's over 2 lbs you have to pay for the extra weight. So I don't know. It seems crazy to not tape it. I would think it is best for everyone.
posted on August 24, 2000 12:45:21 PM new
whew! not just me then, i know COMMON SENSE says tape it, they even give us the tape free.that strip is so narrow, and not too sticky..my postmaster,bless his heart,has been so nice, but he said his boss told him NO tape.i have had to pay extra a couple of times. then i called another post office and they said sure it's fine,good idea to keep it safe & tape it..so we need some official word, if this is a new rule it needs to be changed. we do a ton of "business" with the post office & this will be an awful problem especially this Christmas.does anyone know who we can email for an official answer?
thanks for your time,Pam
posted on August 24, 2000 02:45:07 PM new
That's why they call it "Flat Rate," I guess, and print: "2 Lb. Postage Rate regardless of weight" on it.
>>
Yes Magazine guy guess that is why they have it printed there, but you wouldn't believe how many postal workers that I have gotten that can't read English very well even when you point it out to them and they have to go double check with there boss etc. . . I really don't mean anything against you Packer, but I find it very frustrating. This is a common mistake in the post office and people should be trained better! One of my best friends is a postal worker but it get really frustrating to go in time and time again as we have a high rate of turn over at our city post office and explain time and time again to people who should know that flat rate is just that flat rate and even the ones that know you have to watch them because they slip up and charge you buy weight and not the flat rate.
Now, I have 2 college degrees etc.... but is doesn't take a college degree to understand what flat rate means and some of these people you have to bang it into their heads so to speak. It really puts a bee in my bonnet so to speak. I mean it can't be any clearer then flat rate 2lb postage rate any weight right there on the package . . . again packer I don't mean anything against you but this from a customers point of view is very frustrating and should NOT have be a surprise to you are anyone else and the post office as it so often is. They are falling in there training . . . I could go on and on but I won't. . .
but he says he was instructed NO TAPING ALLOWED ON THESE ENVELOPES. >>
Tell him to go back and read the post regulations manual for shipping priority items. (actually they use another company to ship them the post office doesn't actually ship them, but they do have a regulations book and it says nothing about use tape that I have seen) The tape should be with reason I am sure but not allowed to use it he is full of horse puckey. BTW I use tape, the tape the give us all the time, the priority tape.
posted on August 24, 2000 06:58:17 PM new
thanks everyone for the replies,it does seem strange?wouldn't they want to make sure it gets there ok?
i am going to check this out further,where??not sure yet thanks Pam ps..gotta go start another thread some guy emailed me about a closed auction,asking me a question about the item.i checked him out at ebay before emailing back, fine, a new person at ebay zero feedback,so i emailed back it was sold and gave him some info.
Well i just noticed there is the same item WITH MY DESCRIPTION.LISTED ON EBAY..can you believe? 180+ feedback comments too..he MUST HAVE TWO accounts at ebay.(after going to all the trouble to get two accounts then he signs his name "kirk",and "kirk" is in his other nickname!!but different email address.very SNEAKY..why bother gheesh...i mean it is MY description,"hard to get an exact pic of the color,would make a thoughtful gift"(that is no coincidence!)also his is 1/2 of my price..but that is his business..i have no problem with fair competition.He just changed one word of my TITLE too..oooooow i am not happy.i tried to help him cause i thought he was new..his pic didn't show up on his auction...(wonder if he tried to use mine? i got to thinking about it after the email & i deleted it but he may have had it all ready.) THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME? will ebay care if i tell them,do anything?should i let it go?have a great night,& watch your descriptions!
posted on August 24, 2000 07:07:28 PM new
I always run a strip of Priority Tape across the pull strip and around to the back of these envelopes. No one at my PO has ever said I couldn't.
posted on August 24, 2000 07:10:42 PM new
Hi, thanks for being there Valerie you helped me on something before. Gee i can't even tape the left & right corners that are "open" cause the inner strip doesn't go that far.If i have a little thicker book Or whatever & i tape it
it will cost me more.
thanks,Pam
posted on August 24, 2000 07:49:36 PM new
Hi again, just checked out the Priority Mail website..going by their packing tips they WANT us to tape corners etc..so there won't be any catching in the machines & such..There is a place to send questions so i will email them & let everyone know.hopefully they will reply here too. thanks
here is their tip on packing!!
. Seal Carefully.
A strong seal is essential, so always use tape that is designed
for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced
kraft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.
These items can be purchased at your local post office. We
recommend you do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape
or cellophane tape.
Make sure you seal the center seams at both the top and the
bottom of the box securely. Cover all other seams with tape, and
be sure not to leave any open areas which could snag on
machinery.
If you plan to insure the package, leave an untaped area on the
cardboard where your postal clerk can stamp "insured."
posted on August 24, 2000 07:53:15 PM new
Those envelopes are pretty small so it's tough fitting much in those that would go over 2 pounds. I'd be very excited if they made a box with one rate.
"If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it."
posted on August 24, 2000 08:28:54 PM new
hi, hey i always crack up at that 20.00 line, its sooo true..!!
the reason i am trying to get this figured out is because with Christmas coming i was thinking about selling a lot of books & they usually fit well in there,even certain hardbounds,but they are heavy & i don't want them to rip open.thus i need to tape.Funny their own site says to tape.Most people are happy to get it Priority Mail cause it's so fast especially for xmas gifts..
thanks for the reply,pam
posted on August 25, 2000 02:50:59 AM new
timetravelers -
Using JUST the priority envelope to mail a hardbound book is asking for damaged product and unhappy customers. Think of the number of dented, gouged, and smashed parcels you recieve ... don't think yours will have a magical shield defending them.
To prevent books from being damaged by collisions with other items, you have to BOTH pad the book and protect the corners by using a larger wrap that can take the brunt of the mechanical handling devices and the tumbling down conveyers mixed with my 40-lb box of encyclopedias. Never have the book covers be what is holding the package in shape. If you can feel the book through the packing, it's not adequate.
posted on August 25, 2000 03:08:26 AM new
hi,APPRECIATE the HEADS UP,i do wrap in bubble wrap & use EXTRA cardboard on either side,you are right to assure NO DINGS in DUST JACKET ETC..will need a bit more padding inside.That flat rate box was a great idea..
wish they would do something for us like that,we sure are bringing lottsa biz for the usps.
appreciate the help,Pam
posted on August 25, 2000 04:18:19 AM new
I have also been told that if you use tape on the flat rate envelope it is no longer flat rate and you pay by weight. OTOH I once mailed a flat rate envelope that was less than 2 pounds and the clerk ADDED tape saying I should always use tape. On the website I do believe they have a weasel clause saying something like "...must not stress the envelope beyond its design capacity...".
Since we're talking about the PO I believe they should make the following changes:
1) They give free Priority shipping labels, why not sheets of Inkjet/Laserjet priority labels?
2) Priority stamps in common demoninations eg 3.55 4.30 4.65 5.40 5.75 etc.
3) Only use the sticker insurance form and get rid of that stupid paper form that they use for items under $50.
posted on August 25, 2000 04:42:39 AM new
Hi,i'm with you,that little miniature green insurance form,with no room to write anything, WHO DESIGNED THAT ONE? the same guy that designed the boxes soooo badly they have to provide us with free tape...
posted on August 25, 2000 11:25:58 AM new
i've started taping my priority envelopes because it seems they changed the "formula" for the sticky strip. i had a faithful repeat buyer tell me that one priority envelope i mailed her was open, but luckily she got everything. i put the sold items in a ziploc baggy with the address on a sheet of paper inside the baggy.
i've never had anyone tell me i couldn't use tape on them, but i almost never deal with the p.o. i take them to a nearby drug store that has a customer service counter; they offer all postal services there for packages under three pounds.
posted on August 25, 2000 05:04:17 PM new
I JUST MAILED RAIN GEAR IN THE FLAT RATE ENVELOPE & I DID TAPE IT. SINCE I KNOW THE POST MASTER HE SAID HE WOULD "TRY & SEND IT, BUT IT MIGHT GET SENT BACK TO ME" (I REALLY HAD IT SQUEEZED IN THAT ENVELOPE!) ANYWAY, BUYER RECEIVED IT - SO IT WORKED!!
uh huh. that's what i thought!