posted on September 23, 2003 02:54:32 PM new
Hi, everyone. I know that some of us (yours truly included) will from time to time cut off the colored tops of priority labels and use them on other types of packages.
Today my favorite clerk told me they've just gotten a directive from the Great P.O. in the Sky that this is no longer allowed. I didn't get any other details, like what the penalty would be.
Thought you'd all want to know.
___________________________________
"Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humour, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking, brings us close to the actually existing world and its wholeness." --Gary Snyder
posted on September 23, 2003 03:02:11 PM new
It was never allowed. The penalty is postage due and a very angry buyer. I was was charged for a seller doing this 4 years ago.
posted on September 23, 2003 03:16:34 PM new
I've seen the postal clerks take scissors to the PM labels and hand them to the patrons and I've seen them allow unaltered PM labels on non-PM packages and I've seen clerks use the Tyvek PM envelopes as packing materials.
They should have tried to cut waste years ago.
-------------- sig file ----------- Most costume jewelry is unsigned. After all, the vast majority of it was made to be worn a few times, then discarded. It wasn't made to be durable. --- The Fluffster
posted on September 23, 2003 04:05:24 PM new
if you have an account with usps,and order usps proiority supply from them,they will make you sign a form that you will only use them for priority mailing and nothing else,the penalty can be rather stiff,10k fine/
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 23, 2003 04:15:18 PM new
<<the penalty can be rather stiff,10k fine/>>
I don't use priority for anything other than priority..but am very interested in where you got this info. This has been hotly contested for years, and I do not believe anyone has ever been fined/charged or otherwise gotten in trouble (other than a postal worker refusing to use it for other things or charging Priority prices when sent non Priority in a P box) for using PO supplies for other uses. I believe it's a nice threat, but not legally able to be carried out. I stopped into our main office to speak to our head postmaster about another issue and she says it appears to be an idle threat, and not enforceable (othere than again, not allowing USPS mail to be sent in it, unless it's Priority.
If you have the postal code for this "fine", please print it, as I would be very grateful.
UPS knows what the boxes are and freely accepts them.
posted on September 23, 2003 04:54:45 PM new
I haven't used the Priority Address label in quite awhile, since switching to Endicia...my question, is if you cut off EVERYTHING except the To: and From: part (including the numbers, I know they had numbers somewhere ) How is the PO going to know its a PM label? But like I said, haven't used them in quite some time.
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on September 23, 2003 05:01:54 PM new
you can call the post office and ask what the fine is.
the postal clerk recognises the label,it is their label,it is not worth the hassel.
you can get labels at office depot,if your margin is that thin that you cant afford label,you may want to look into another line of work.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 23, 2003 05:04:28 PM new
Actually, there are quite a few Postal regulations that carry very hefty fines and even imprisoment for violators. I personally have never heard of a single person being fined for a Postal violation. The fact that they are on the books lays a very solid foundation for Federal authorities to obtain search warrants and subpoenas for suspected illegal activities involving the Postal service such as drug smuggling, money laundering, mail fraud and bookmaking activities. It's also a very strong tool to supplement the Patriot Act.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 23, 2003 05:30:49 PM new
<< you can call the post office and ask what the fine is. >>
See that's just it. You said there was a hefty fine..yet the postmaster can't find a fine listed. When you sign up for the supplies, the postcard/form and the boxes say "misuse may be a violation of federal law". Well, eating meat may be too, for all Peta wants us to believe LOL!
While the post office doesn't accept their Priority boxes turned inside out, UPS sure accepts the PO boxes.
I read this all the time on these boards (and I don't even use them, just find it interesting when people say there is a hefty fine, but can't supply the code) and wish just once, someone would show that code.
I print up my own shipping labels, which look very much like the postal labels once you cut off their numbers..so I don't need theirs..but I really don't believe there is a fine if you do use them..I think it's an old wives tale.
posted on September 23, 2003 05:44:22 PM new
I think if you get the supplies delivered at home, you might face some penalties, since I know I actually signed something that said I only use supplies for priority mail shipping. If you use it at the post office, the best thing they can do is charge postage due, that will get people to stop using these forms when they aren't supposed to.
posted on September 23, 2003 05:46:40 PM new
The post office we have here must have the easiest rules of all cause the clerks behind the desk all joke around with me and give me pointers to save on ship supplies.This is straight from a clerks mouth " use the priority labels for first class,parcel post etc.. just cut the blue parts off" and "if you need a box just flip it inside out".There are usually 2 to 3 clerks standing there when it's been said so it's not a hush hush you didn't hear that from me thing....But being said that a buyer had to pay on their end once will make me think that tip over for sure.Thanks for this tread Roadsmith
[ edited by toasted36 on Sep 23, 2003 05:47 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2003 05:57:16 PM new
That is true. UPS has delivered to our house, items that were packed in USPS Priority Boxes. Now, I found that really strange. You would think that UPS had some rule, but they don't.
Its hard now to turn the boxes inside out, as most now, are have printed inside them 'Priority'.
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on September 23, 2003 06:04:56 PM new
I would think they could prosecute it and fine you if they so wanted to, but with so much else going on, a Judge would probably laugh it out of court unless they could prove you are causing the PO a signifcant loss of money.
posted on September 23, 2003 06:26:55 PM new
JUst out of curiosity - why does anyone think that UPS woud give damn what box was used as long as you are using them and they are getting their full fee.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on September 23, 2003 06:53:31 PM new
Just as explanation: I never have made a habit of using those priority labels, with parts cut off, but every once in a while I can't find a regular label and use the priority one. Anything I send in bubble envelopes, I just write the name and address on the envelope itself and cover that with clear tape.
But I"m going to be more cautious from now on. It certainly makes sense to me that the P.O. wouldn't want them misused. People could just take a large bundle of them in the P.O. lobby anytime they needed labels for something, I suppose.
___________________________________
"Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humour, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking, brings us close to the actually existing world and its wholeness." --Gary Snyder
posted on September 23, 2003 07:07:03 PM new
you can use them as large stick it memo pad to remind yourself to do something.
i cant find any print which said if i kill my mother in law and bury her in my backyard under a willow tree without telling anyone,i cannot use her as w2 FORM dependant.
Penn farmer reported jack and jill as 2 dependants on his tax form for 18 years before uncle sam finds out jack and jill are two donkeys.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 23, 2003 07:10:20 PM new
go ahead,indulge yourself,you pay tax every day,you are born here in good old USA,help yourself with everything -road sign,police uniform,parking sign,park bench,metal pipes,mail boxes and more.
dont forget to chop down the cherry trees in washington dc and have a picnic in the rose garden,no need to clean up afterwards,it is in your rights to enjoy the outdoor.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 23, 2003 07:12:56 PM new
Where you really have to watch out is when you use a recycled box and don't mark out the old labels. Just try sending something in a wine box or a box that has aerosol written on it. If it makes it past the clerk at the counter, it'll wind up on your porch in a couple of days and they won't refund the postage. It's worse with FedEx. They are likely to accept it, slap a hazmat label on it and charge your account $25.00.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 23, 2003 08:28:50 PM new
I have down loaded the shipping assistant and I use eDC on very package that I send. My postal clerk said I could cut the label fo make it first class but I wouldn't want my buyer to have to pay postage due if something would happen so I just down loaded the shipping assistant and print 1st class from there.
posted on September 23, 2003 09:39:54 PM new
I buy online from USPS, have never had to sign anything regarding use of forms or boxes. I have been using the Priority lables for all kinds of shipments & have never had a problem. I always cut off all of the top part & the line on the bottom that says "Label 228C September 2002" without these ID marks, there is no way to ID this as a UDSPS Label. I get these 500 at a time.
posted on September 23, 2003 09:57:51 PM newI buy online from USPS
Other than stamps isn't the stuff free?
-------------- sig file ----------- Most costume jewelry is unsigned. After all, the vast majority of it was made to be worn a few times, then discarded. It wasn't made to be durable. --- The Fluffster
posted on September 23, 2003 09:58:17 PM new
<<go ahead,indulge yourself,you pay tax every day,you are born here in good old USA,help yourself with everything -road sign,police uniform,parking sign,park bench,metal pipes,mail boxes and more.>>
I don't use them, and don't indulge myself by using what I feel is personally MORALLY is wrong to do for me, since I did agree on line to only use the Priority products for priority items...but I don't understand why you said it was a hugh fine, with no proof.
I don't use them because I agreed not to..not because there are dire circumstances. Now you are acting like I want everything (see above). We're talking about priority supplies and if they can be used for other uses, without the "hugh" fine you mentioned for non post office shipping (or PO shipping).
I know some PO hold packages for ransom when they see one of their boxes being used against what they are supposed to be used for. But I also know some who have fought that, and once they insisted on getting their mail, it was handed right over.
My only point to all of this, is unless you are prepared to show the official code, don't say anything about fines. I personally would be delighted if someone came up with the code..and I know my friendly post office would be too, so they could scare people from using the boxes. Doesnt' do any good for you to tell me to ask my post office..they can't find it either.
posted on September 23, 2003 11:09:54 PM newMy only point to all of this, is unless you are prepared to show the official code, don't say anything about fines. I personally would be delighted if someone came up with the code..and I know my friendly post office would be too, so they could scare people from using the boxes. Doesnt' do any good for you to tell me to ask my post office..they can't find it either.
I agree, it's ironic that the poster is named stopwhining. Maybe it should be startwhining.
-------------- sig file ----------- Most costume jewelry is unsigned. After all, the vast majority of it was made to be worn a few times, then discarded. It wasn't made to be durable. --- The Fluffster
posted on September 23, 2003 11:45:43 PM new
It's quite simple to find. Go to your county courthouse and visit their legal library. Open up the Code Of Federal Regulations and start on page one of volume one. You will find all the Postal misdemeanors and felonies along with the penalties for littering in a national park and attempting to assinate a Federal official. After the first volume, you'll probably wise up and do a google search for the C.F.R. I don't know what the Vehicle Code section is for speeding in California is, but that Highway Patrolman that pulled me over for doing 85 back when the limit was 55 sure as hell knew where to find it. He was even so kind as to write it out for me on the citation he gave me. And to make absolutely sure I was well informed, the judge explained it to me in plain English, just before he nailed me for $125.00. It would still be an effort to find that V.C. section, but I watch my speed because I know the Chippy hiding behind the tree is VERY familiar with it.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 24, 2003 12:07:36 AM new
"Terms of Agreement
I understand that Express Mail®, Priority Mail®, Global Express Guaranteed®, Global Express Mail® and Global Priority Mail® packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Express Mail®, Priority Mail®, Global Express Guaranteed®, Global Express Mail® and Global Priority Mail®. Misuse may be a violation of federal law."
This is the screen that comes up before you can order your FREE supplies at USPS.com. You have to click "I Agree" before it will let you continue. Notice the last sentence. I suppose misuse is only a crime if it's done in certain ways?
posted on September 24, 2003 06:30:12 AM new
those who sign the agreement and order in bulk are the ones most at risk to be nailed.
just think everyone could use some extra money,go to the traffic court and hear how their register rings.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 24, 2003 09:31:22 AM new
I think the idea of signing the postcard the UPSP sends and accepting the online TOS is to act more of a pyschological deterent to misuse that to actually prosecute someone in Federal Court.
Speaking of speeding tickets ...
Years ago many motorist that got speeding tickets use to go to traffic court to beat the ticket or get a reduced fine. The way they beat the ticket was because the citation issuing officer was suppose to be in court also but they rarely appeared. The judge usually dropped the speeding ticket or reduced the fine if he was there.
-------------- sig file ----------- Most costume jewelry is unsigned. After all, the vast majority of it was made to be worn a few times, then discarded. It wasn't made to be durable. --- The Fluffster
posted on September 24, 2003 02:23:15 PM new
I have purchased Priority Mail Boxes from my Surplus Box company. They had a company name on them, but were still USPS Priority Boxes. I asked the surplus box company about them and they said that they had purchased them from the USPS, and that I should be able to ship any method with them.
I know that the USPS would never let me ship Parcel Post in them, so I used them primarily for UPS.
I like to purchase my boxes becuase I get a larger size choice, and can ship much cheaper. I average about .25 each for my boxes and that pays for more than the postage savings on the packages.
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
posted on September 24, 2003 02:33:42 PM new
Maggie,
Would you mind telling us who your Surplus Box company is? I'd like to have more options for sizes as I do realize savings using the smaller boxes - or rather - those "between" sizes... Right now, if we're shipping plates, we're cutting down some of the larger boxes to get the weight down. You're right - shave off a few ounces and you can save significant postage costs.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
