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How strict is the USPS when you print your own labels

commoncents123commoncents123 Posts: 2,648 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I am trying to convert to printing my own labels...My main insecurity, if you will, is attributing the package properly so as to not have it returned with insufficient postage...or paying too much, out of paranoia, for that matter.. For example, if you stick delivery confirmation onto a 1/2" thick large envelope, will that get returned or what? Or what if your package was an inch thick and you registered it as a 1/4-3/4" thick letter? All the time, I receive bubble mailers with delivery confirmation on them and they are hardly 1/2 inch thick, so I presume it's pretty lenient once you make it past the USPS counter clerks?

Comments

  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    I believe they only need to be 1/4" thick. Just choose "package/large envelope" and you'll be fine with any bubblemailer with a slab in it. --jerry
  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Leniency probably depends on whether you overpaid or underpaid, if you catch my drift... image
    My Roosevelt Dime Registry Set
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>...so I presume it's pretty lenient once you make it past the USPS counter clerks? >>

    You can never count on this. Someone else along the line handling the package can make a different determiniation from the clerk at the counter. Not saying it's likely, but it happens.
  • bouchardaboucharda Posts: 2,941


    << <i>Just choose "package/large envelope" and you'll be fine with any bubblemailer with a slab in it. >>



    image
  • commoncents123commoncents123 Posts: 2,648 ✭
    Wait a sec, package and large envelope are 2 different categories..
  • tmcsr69tmcsr69 Posts: 1,307 ✭
    The post office does not like to do delivery confirmation on first class letters, which they consider a bubble envelope with a slab/coin in it. Its a lot of additional work for 15 cents. They consider this to be more for priority mail. I have had packages show up to the buyer with postage due or returned to me for more postage. In most cases, if you throw in a few mailing peanuts, the width will be fine. I was told that the post office checks the online labled packages more than those processed through their windows. I don't think they are looking for a ounce or two as much as a difference that will significantly change the postage rate. It is amazing what people will try when they think there is a chance they can get away with it.
    Crazy old man from Missouri
  • SilverstateSilverstate Posts: 1,537 ✭✭✭
    If you ship via the PAYPAL option.

    You can select 1st Class Parcel - This is for thick/bubble mailers.

    A slab ships (2 oz.) with delivery confirmation for $ 1.58 and you don't have to go into the post office!
    Jim
    Gardnerville, NV
    =========================
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  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If you ship via the PAYPAL option. You can select 1st Class Parcel - This is for thick/bubble mailers. A slab ships (2 oz.) with delivery confirmation for $ 1.58 and you don't have to go into the post office! >>



    A 1 oz silver coin goes to 3 oz....--jerry
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Jerry beat me about the 1 ounce coin.
    image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The post office does not like to do delivery confirmation on first class letters, which they consider a bubble envelope with a slab/coin in it. >>

    Not only does the post office not like to do delivery confirmation on letters- they don't offer that service at all.

    A bubble envelope will typically not meet the specifications for "first class letter" shipping, being too thick. With a coin/slab, a bubble mailer will generally fall into the "large envelope" or "package" category, depending on the thickness of the envelope.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You can meet the minimum thickness by placing a couple of foam packing peanuts in the bubble envelope. (Russ taught me this one.)

    No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left

  • PrivateCoinCollectorPrivateCoinCollector Posts: 2,415 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>If you ship via the PAYPAL option. You can select 1st Class Parcel - This is for thick/bubble mailers. A slab ships (2 oz.) with delivery confirmation for $ 1.58 and you don't have to go into the post office! >>



    A 1 oz silver coin goes to 3 oz....--jerry >>



    Use the Jiffy bubble mailers. They weigh in at about 1/3 of an ounce. With that and some newspaper to thicken the contents up to meet the 3/4" thickness requirement for signiture confiormation you can ship 1 ounce coins for 2 Ounces of Postage all day long. They also do not differ substantially in price either.
    Morgan HerdTO Gold Mine
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>You can meet the minimum thickness by placing a couple of foam packing peanuts in the bubble envelope. (Russ taught me this one.) >>



    Not needed anymore they will not accept bubble mailer as letters anymore. And this is my experience at my post office.

    image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • abitofthisabitofthatabitofthisabitofthat Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭
    For delivery confirm, it must be 3/4 inch thick. If anyone along the way decides it is not thick enough, they will convert it from first class to priority and it will be delivered with postage due - about $4 - and this is guaranteed to annoy your customer. I do not use few packing peanuts, as other have suggested. They are better than nothing, but can easily get flattened and then you are back to square one. I use foam packing material - the kind that they use to pack computers and accesories. I get them from work (day job) and can break them down to 3/4 by 3/4 squares. It sounds like a PITA, but I can easily chop a few hundred while I watch the Yanks some night. Since I changed to this method, I have shipped a few thousand packages without a single problem.

    merse

  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>If you ship via the PAYPAL option. You can select 1st Class Parcel - This is for thick/bubble mailers. A slab ships (2 oz.) with delivery confirmation for $ 1.58 and you don't have to go into the post office! >>



    A 1 oz silver coin goes to 3 oz....--jerry >>



    Use the Jiffy bubble mailers. They weigh in at about 1/3 of an ounce. With that and some newspaper to thicken the contents up to meet the 3/4" thickness requirement for signiture confiormation you can ship 1 ounce coins for 2 Ounces of Postage all day long. They also do not differ substantially in price either. >>



    Re-read the post I replied to, we're speaking of a slab. A 1 oz silver slabbed coin goes over 2 oz. --Jerry
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>For delivery confirm, it must be 3/4 inch thick. If anyone along the way decides it is not thick enough, they will convert it from first class to priority and it will be delivered with postage due - about $4 - and this is guaranteed to annoy your customer. I do not use few packing peanuts, as other have suggested. They are better than nothing, but can easily get flattened and then you are back to square one. I use foam packing material - the kind that they use to pack computers and accesories. I get them from work (day job) and can break them down to 3/4 by 3/4 squares. It sounds like a PITA, but I can easily chop a few hundred while I watch the Yanks some night. Since I changed to this method, I have shipped a few thousand packages without a single problem. >>




    Hasn't happened in thousands of shipments here. --Jerry
  • CoinCrazyPACoinCrazyPA Posts: 2,899 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I believe they only need to be 1/4" thick. Just choose "package/large envelope" and you'll be fine with any bubblemailer with a slab in it. --jerry >>



    DC is supposed to be 3/4 inch on bubble mailers.
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  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I believe they only need to be 1/4" thick. Just choose "package/large envelope" and you'll be fine with any bubblemailer with a slab in it. --jerry >>



    DC is supposed to be 3/4 inch on bubble mailers. >>



    They have a slot that is 1/4" thick that they use to determine if you have to pay the higher rate for "non-machinable" items. Seems they are defacto using that criteria for delivery confirmation too. (not saying that you aren't reading the regs correctly, I'm just commenting on actual real world experience). Like I said, thousands of packages and none delivered with postage due. --Jerry

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