toben88
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posted on June 29, 2004 10:20:24 PM new
Weigh your priority boxes and compare to other boxes you can buy. I have noticed they are heavier than other boxes. So USPS makes up the money when we pay to ship the heavy boxes.
I just updated my new website - give me your feedback on it.
http://gotflag.com
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bunnicula
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posted on June 29, 2004 10:40:14 PM new
 What kind of boxes are you using? I ship books, so I use a lot of boxes. Priority boxes are no heavier than any other boxes I've used of similar size.
They're free, IMO, to get you to use a service which is just plain more expensive. I've used non-Priority boxes when I've run out of the official Priority boxes--just slapped a Priority label on them--and it cost the same amount to ship the item that it would have in the regular Priority box.
____________________
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meadowlark
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posted on June 30, 2004 08:02:01 AM new
The manufacturer of the priority boxes began to make them lighter in the last few years, per specifications from the Post Office.
They really did used to be a bit stronger. Now they are printing an ID on the inside of some of the boxes to indicate they are USPS Priority so dishonest folks won't use them inside out for other purposes.
Yes, in the long run, you pay for the boxes as you pay for mailing them when you use Priority Mail services since it costs more than other carriers. In our business, it is passed on to the buyer and it is very easy to get a good assortment of boxes, eliminating time spent "dumpster diving". So for many sellers, it is the right answer. A bigger selection is available online than in your local Post Office.
What I don't get is the sellers that use these items turned inside out and send Parcel Post, or the ones that wrap my clothing/fabric item purchased in one of the Priority Tyvek envelopes and then put it in a new priority box. They must not know it is actually a federal offense to use the containers improperly.
The last time I ordered bundles of boxes and pouches from USPS to be delivered to my home, they immediately mailed me an affidavit I was required to sign saying that no one in my residence (and it had my name and my husband's name on the form) would use the boxes for anything other than for the intended use. It referenced federal law as I remember. They would not ship the boxes until I sent it back.
Some of these sellers are saving a few cents or a few minutes time, not thinking of the consequences. I mean, this is a felony if I'm not mistaken.
Some of them may have a rude awakening one of these days. Their usage of the materials in this manner very likely drives up the cost of shipping Priority.
[ edited by meadowlark on Jun 30, 2004 08:14 AM ]
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on June 30, 2004 08:36:00 AM new
Yes they did make them lighter as a empty #7 uses to weight over a 1 lb - now it's just under a lb.
So unless your item is a straw hat or something like that - you are still looking at 2 lbs. I think that's why they used 1 lb as their cut off for not having to calculate the shipping.
Guess they had to pay for the huge post offices they built out in the boonies. I still can't believe they built all the great post offices and didn't give them updated equipment to print insurance etc. Crazy
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max40
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posted on June 30, 2004 08:43:06 AM new
I use the #7 boxes alot. Ship mostly dinnerware, and if I have to ship just one plate, I cut the box down to half it's height, sometimes saving that extra 1lb charge for a few ounces.
As long as the customer is paying for the priority insured postage, I'll continue to use the free boxes.
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jwpc
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posted on June 30, 2004 08:47:10 AM new
Great Looking Site.....meta tags are a bit unconventional, but the site is lovely.
My Boss Is A Jewish Carpenter!
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jwpc
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posted on June 30, 2004 08:48:25 AM new
Great Looking Site.....meta tags are a bit unconventional, but the site is lovely.
*******
You said:
"I have noticed they are heavier than other boxes. So USPS makes up the money when we pay to ship the heavy boxes."
I think the key word here is BUY, I don't want to have to "BUY" boxes for small items!
My Boss Is A Jewish Carpenter!
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sanmar
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posted on June 30, 2004 09:43:44 AM new
For kicks, I just weighed a #7 box. It was approx. 12 oz. I then weighed a plain box of the same number of square inches. It weighed approx. 1 lb!! Like Max I ship mostly dinnerware & use a lot of the #7 boxes. Have never tried to cut one down. I don't think it would save enough wgt to make it worth the trouble. I pack with foam peanuts that weigh practically nothing. Not only are the boxes free, but so are preprinted address labels. The weight of the box has nothing to do with using Priority Mail. The PO increases revenue by use of Priority & Express Mail. The freebies are an incentive to use the higher cost service. I like it & so do my customers.
[ edited by sanmar on Jun 30, 2004 09:44 AM ]
[ edited by sanmar on Jun 30, 2004 09:49 AM ]
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max40
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posted on June 30, 2004 10:29:41 AM new
On several occasions that 2-3oz cost me the 2lb rate in a package that I charged 1lb postage to the customer.
I Also remember a couple of times when I could have used the extra peanuts that are wasted on a one plate shipment with a full sized #7 box.
I guess I'm just frugal (read cheap)
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vectorlaptop
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posted on June 30, 2004 10:36:50 AM new
The priority boxes are free because the Postal Service does not want you to use First Class which is a whole lot cheaper and takes the same time to deliver. If your package weighs less than 13 oz then use First Class and save the extra money.
-Balazs
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on June 30, 2004 10:51:05 AM new
I have done the box cutting thing too and it does really save on the packing supplies.
Here's a good example - I was in a pinch and stopped by the U-Haul store (refused to pay UPS Store prices) - so I got a very small roll of bubble wrap and a small bag of peanuts for about $9.00. I was able to wrap 3 items with that so that was $3.00 for packing. Of course I normally buy in bulk but it's still not free.
If you use a mat cutting tool like they have at the framing shops, it really quick to cut them down. The OP laugh at me all the time with some of the weird shapes I make!!!
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meadowlark
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posted on June 30, 2004 12:05:18 PM new
ladyjewels,
what does OP mean? I thought it meant Original Poster, like the person who started the thread. Maybe I'm dense today. It IS past time for my nap.
[ edited by meadowlark on Jun 30, 2004 12:10 PM ]
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Japerton
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posted on June 30, 2004 12:09:48 PM new
Other People
~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~
Avatar wish list....
...and he must possess a kind eye...
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meadowlark
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posted on June 30, 2004 12:10:49 PM new
Thanks!
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on June 30, 2004 12:12:38 PM new
meadowlark
Maybe I need the nap - I meant PO for Post Office!!
Other people works too!!!
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meadowlark
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posted on June 30, 2004 01:51:47 PM new
Lady, I went back and edited my earlier post to say, OH! you meant PO for Post Office. Then Japerton siad it was Other People, which does work too, so I went an edited my post again!
Now I say POOOOOOO!
I never did get my nap!
OOOOOOPs!
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sanmar
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posted on June 30, 2004 06:04:08 PM new
Max40: I charge a flat rate on most shipments of $10.00 anywhere in the USA. Most of the time I come out ahead, but once in a while I am short. It evens out in the long run & I could care less.
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OhMsLucy
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posted on June 30, 2004 06:25:30 PM new
Toben, I think you're mistaken. The board the PO uses in the boxes is lighter and stronger than regular corrugated. Especially the pop-open mailers.
That said, if you're shipping Priority and the boxed weight is over by a couple of ounces it makes a lot of sense to cut down the box. One easy way is cut a few inches off the flaps that will be inside once the box is sealed. Useful for anything that's not extremely heavy or fragile.
Lady, I got a  from your post about cutting down the boxes. I do that all the time! Change the shape too. Example, take one of the pop-opens. Score and fold right down the middle. Recut the flaps. Ends up a longer but still square box.
This is known as Priority Mail Box Origami!
Lucy
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sanmar
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posted on June 30, 2004 09:40:15 PM new
Lucy, You made my day!! Here is a toast with 2 Buck Chuck to YOU!!
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whatnot3
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posted on June 30, 2004 10:29:47 PM new
Or you could try cheating on the postage like some people do.
A few weeks ago, a large flat priority box came in the mail. They only put 1 Lb worth of postage on it. I was sure it wasn't possible so I put it on the scale and it weighed just over 1 Lb. 3 OZ.
I mentioned it the next time I went to the post office and they said that they are now weighing everyone elses boxes (they know my scale exactly matches theirs because I have taken several 15.9 oz packages in and had them check the weight) with postage already on them because one lady was putting 1 Lb worth on everything even boxes that weighed over 5 Lbs.
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Japerton
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posted on June 30, 2004 10:57:36 PM new
Nice site!
Glad to see I am not the only one who uses smart metatags. Take a page out of this book: in my arena of web pages I am a top 10 hit getter. No I'm not doing a jam packed area, but in it's little slim world, of several hundred sites, or so, it's the meta tags that are pushing the folks to the door!
Make your meta tags work for you!
Regarding priority: 'kay. If someone can match the box cost, delivery confirmation, labels and 3-ish day delivery then I would jump all over it. I knock the price down if it's not Priority, ironically I spend more on packaging. Although, my moving cache of bubble wrap is going onto a second life. Yay!
~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~
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