Does Post Office Check Weight of Drop Box Packages?

brian26

I weighed a package at home and came up with 2.0 ounces. I checked it at the Post Office, and it measured 2.38 ounces. Using the shipping calculator, it computes to a difference of approximately 50 cents for priority mail. Would this be something they would normally check, or is a less than four ounce difference something that wouldn't be noticed? Do they check EVERY package's weight that gets deposited in the do-it-yourself drop box?

Thanks for your help.

Constantine

USPS might know that answer ? I have no idea myself if they check the weight of every package.

storm888

No way to know.

There are the caught and the uncaught.

.....

Something to consider on Priority Mail:

You can escape the ZONE concepts by throwing your
small bubble-mailers into flat rate envelopes.

Tedw9

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought Priority Mail packages that weighed under 1 lb. cost the same? Or has that changed?

storm888

<< <i>Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought Priority Mail packages that weighed under 1 lb. cost the same? Or has that changed? >>



////////////////////

Except for "flat rate," you have to play the ZONE game.

Priority Rates

That is why I shove the bubble-mailers into the flat rate envelopes, or
use flat rate boxes.

EDIT: I missed the "one pound" part of the question.

Looks like one pound - packed yourself - goes w/o ZONE game.

alifaxwa2

Pretty sure he meant 2.0 lbs and 2.38 lbs since he comments later down the text about less than a 4oz difference.

Tedw9

<< <i>Pretty sure he meant 2.0 lbs and 2.38 lbs since he comments later down the text about less than a 4oz difference. >>




Good catch, I missed that.

brian26

Oops- In my haste to post that question, I gave incorrect weights. The difference was between 2 lbs and 2 lbs, 3.8 ounces....so it was a 3.8 ounce difference.

PoppaJ

Hi Brian,

From what I've been told by my carrier, each DIY package gets scanned in individually by an assigned clerk. If that clerk is doing his/her job, he/she would most likely catch the error sooner or later.

We use an inexpensive 70lb capacity digital scale that is extremely accurate (haven't had any problems or discrepancies yet!). You might want to invest in a more reliable scale to prevent any possible future problems.

Hope this helps,
PoppaJ

jimq112

<< <i>No way to know.

There are the caught and the uncaught.

>>



Exactly right. Some clerks check, some don't bother. Some carriers check, some don't bother. I don't have a scale in my truck and can't tell the difference between 2 and 3 pounds without one. But I can tell the difference between 2 ounces and 2 pounds so if it's that obvious it usually gets caught.

My wife is a clerk and checks the ones that feel heavy, she's right more than half the time.

Between 2 pounds and 2 pounds 3 oz, you should be ok most of the time.

brian26

Guys- Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

What's the worst that can happen if by chance it does get caught? Would the package get sent back to me? Or would it get delivered with a "postage due"sticker?

FWIW, the package is going from Chicago to West Virgina. The additional postage appears to be about 50 cents for priority mail. Maybe it's not enough to lose any sleep over. I'm more worried out my Ebay feedback than anything.

Thanks again.

zep33

I wouldn't worry about it.

Maybe just warn the guy and refund him a buck ahead of time just in case it does happen. He should be happy that you care

WinPitcher

r would it get delivered with a "postage due"sticker?


That is prolly the worse that can happen.

I'd not worry.


Steve