USPS Bites Again

anoldgoat

What a.................

I have been sending coins out in bubble mailers for some time now, most with devilery confirmation. I print these out through paypal so I tape them on and take them in and mail them through the teller at the PO, appearently they weren't aware of this. Well the other day I get this email from the buyer that she had to pay $3.36 Postage Due for the 6x9 inch flat bubble mailer weighing 2 oz. Rule: <If Delivery Confirmation is on a package then that package must be greater than 3/4 of an inch thick or be priority mail>. The postage due is the difference.

crock.

Anyone else informed this way?
How many didn't know this rule?

100proof1957

what ?
sounds like the crap i get for a 49 cent postage bubble mailer and have to pay an extra .12 because its a hand cancel !

Coinerww

I never knew that. I have always done it the way you did.

airplanenut

<< <i>what ?
sounds like the crap i get for a 49 cent postage bubble mailer and have to pay an extra .12 because its a hand cancel ! >>

$.12 extra only if it's more than 1/4" thick and 1oz. or under

anoldgoat

I will point out that in the online form "confirm Delivery " is hyper text that takes you to the rule that mentions the 3/4".

Well I thought I knew what DC meant as I'd sent these same envelopes before where the teller filled out the DC and charged me .95 cents total postage. Never no mention of the 3/4"/Priority rule.

dimeadzn

I just found out about this when I went to the PO today and tried to do a couple of first class letters with delivery confirmation and insurance. I ended up using the express service.

I'm thinking about using their online "print a shipping label" software. You supposedly save on delivery confirmation. I think the express or priority mail is auto insured for up to $100.

Here's a link with the delivery confirmation rules and the online shipping label info. I haven't been able to decide which service is best.


Delivery confirm link

K6AZ

To use first class DC, the package must be at least 3/4" thick somewhere, it doesn't have to be the entire bubble mailer. This is easily accomplished by buying a roll of 1" bubble bubble wrap at your local office supply store. Just cut a 3x5" piece and put it in the bubble mailer, and you have conformed to their stupid rule.

rb7557

dimeadzn Insurance is a separate purchase no matter how you send your packages. It has to be purchased separately whether using the paypal link or usps click n ship for this software. The insurance is the only downfall to the system since you have to go to the post office and wait in line to purchase it. Its not available online at this point. You pay like .13 for dc on first class, and dc is free using priority.

dimeadzn

K6AZ-

Thanks for the tip! That sounds like a good solution.

TUMUSS

My PO informed of that rule about a week ago. SO...now when I know that I will be using Confirmation service...I just wrap the slab two more time in bubble wrap. "Big bubbles...NO troubles!"

dimeadzn

rb7557-

Thanks for the info on insurance. I hope they start to offer that as an online option soon. It would sure save a lot of time for me as I live in a rural area.

BigD5

That 3/4" rule is stated on the back of the Del. Confirmation green slip also.

Most packages will go through whether or not they are a full 3/4" thick, but as my postal worker friends joke with me, all it takes is one "by the book" handler, and you'll have problems.

Now I fold the mailers in half, or stuff a bit of crumbled tissue paper in there.

K6AZ

Another trick is to buy the thin cardboard CD mailers. You can get them online delivered for about 32¢ each. Two slabs fit perfectly in these, and since they are technically boxes, the 3/4" thick regulation does not apply.

Bikingnut

greater than 3/4 of an inch thick or be priority mail

That happened to me when a new person started working at the post office on the navy base I worked at. They wouldn't let me put delivery confirmation on 3 of 4 that I sent that day because they weren't thick enough. It's the only time that's ever happened to me.

Dennis

K6AZ

mrearlygold

What's the limit on insurance on these?

Tom

K6AZ

<< <i>What's the limit on insurance on these?

Tom >>



The same as any other first class mail, though as you probably know, it is better to use registered for over a certain dollar amount. For me, anything over $300 goes registered.