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Post Office Says I Can't Mail Padded Mailers

prthdprthd Posts: 1,323
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
So I go to the post office to mail eBay purchases over the past few days. Most of the padded mailers contained 1-3 top loaders. I was told they were to small / not thick enough per USPS regulations. They told me I should put a ping pong ball in each envelope to make it thicker. ( I cant make this stuff up). I mail dozens of these every week, from 3 different postal locations in town and this is the first time i have ever heard of this. I use the standard yellow 000 padded mailers, has anyone else ever heard of this.

If I mailed a PWE to PSA with nothing inside it, would that be illegal/ to small? I just dont get it.


Dave
Looking for 1950 Bowman football PSA 7's

Comments

  • hhmag70hhmag70 Posts: 2,107
    It is because you are using delivery confirmation. Just add a couple packing peanuts to the mailer and it will be thick enough.
  • HallcoHallco Posts: 3,651 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Just add a couple packing peanuts and it will be thick enough. >>



    That's what she said! image


  • hhmag70hhmag70 Posts: 2,107
    Also, to be safe the toploader should also be sandwiched between cardboard to lessen the risk of damage.
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,950 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That's what she said! image >>



    image
  • prthdprthd Posts: 1,323


    << <i>It is because you are using delivery confirmation. Just add a couple packing peanuts to the mailer and it will be thick enough.[/q

    What does D/C have to do with it?
    Looking for 1950 Bowman football PSA 7's
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,950 ✭✭✭✭
    Can't use DC with a "letter".
  • hhmag70hhmag70 Posts: 2,107


    << <i>Can't use DC with a "letter". >>



    Exactly. To be a "package" it must meet certain requirements and thickness is one of them. The exception to the rule is if you are sending a "letter" via USPS priority mail, then DC is ok no matter the thickness.
  • HallcoHallco Posts: 3,651 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>To be a "package" it must meet certain requirements and thickness is one of them. >>



    .....Oh Nevermind! image
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Can't use DC with a "letter". >>



    Exactly. To be a "package" it must meet certain requirements and thickness is one of them. >>



    I believe it has to be a minimum of 3/4" thick to meet the package requirement.

    1994 Pro Line Live

    TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject

  • gameusedhoopgameusedhoop Posts: 3,594 ✭✭✭✭
    3/4" thick is the minimum for using DC. Some offices actually have a slot in a cardboard sheet and if it fits through, it is too small to go with DC.
  • hhmag70hhmag70 Posts: 2,107


    << <i>

    << <i>To be a "package" it must meet certain requirements and thickness is one of them. >>



    .....Oh Nevermind! image >>



    You must be loving this thread!
  • gecko109gecko109 Posts: 8,231 ✭
    Thought it was just 1/4" thickness. Has the USPS changed this rule?
  • thedutymonthedutymon Posts: 4,323 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>To be a "package" it must meet certain requirements and thickness is one of them. >>



    .....Oh Nevermind! image >>



    imageimageimage

    YeeHahimage

    Neilimage
    Actually Collect Non Sport, but am just so full of myself I post all over the place !!!!!!!
  • scooter729scooter729 Posts: 1,730 ✭✭✭


    << <i>It is because you are using delivery confirmation. Just add a couple packing peanuts to the mailer and it will be thick enough. >>



    I've heard this message once at the post office, and I do exactly this same thing - I add a few packing peanuts to add some bulk to it, and you should be all set! And yes, it's directly related to the delivery confirmation.
  • thedutymonthedutymon Posts: 4,323 ✭


    << <i>Also, to be safe the toploader should also be sandwiched between cardboard to lessen the risk of damage. >>



    Morning,

    What he said, I have sent 5000 plus Graded cards and thousands of Raw cards in the last few years, every one sandwiched between Cardboard and it is always thick enough, so just do that and you'll be fine!!

    Neil
    Actually Collect Non Sport, but am just so full of myself I post all over the place !!!!!!!
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>To be a "package" it must meet certain requirements and thickness is one of them. >>



    .....Oh Nevermind! image >>



    Beat me to it, except I would've gone for the cheap laugh...
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
  • OAKESY25OAKESY25 Posts: 4,726 ✭✭✭
    go to the automated machine.. or find a different worker... there is always 1 postal nazi saving the world.. ( and costing the usps money)
  • MeteoriteGuyMeteoriteGuy Posts: 7,140 ✭✭


    << <i>go to the automated machine.. or find a different worker... there is always 1 postal nazi saving the world.. ( and costing the usps money) >>



    Except you really do want it over the 1/4" (I think that's what it is) in thickness....otherwise some postal worker is likely to place it on the sorting belts, which all letters go through. These belts turn almost 90 degrees at times.

    Going the automated route may even save you $.20, but you really want the cards you send hand sorted. Just save some packaging peanuts as suggest and throw a couple in your bubble mailers.
    Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
    Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
  • jmmiller777jmmiller777 Posts: 1,324 ✭✭✭
    So that's why I get those dumb things (packing peanuts) in most of my packages. Rules are rules dog-gone-it.
    CURRENT PROJECTS IN WORK:
    To be honest, no direction, but...
    1966-69 Topps EX+
    1975 minis NrMt Kelloggs PSA 9
    All Topps Heritage-Master Sets
    image
  • prthdprthd Posts: 1,323
    Well I guess im going to have to go buy some packing peanuts.

    Thanks for all the info, I learned something today.


    Dave
    Looking for 1950 Bowman football PSA 7's
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭


    << <i>Well I guess im going to have to go buy some packing peanuts.

    Thanks for all the info, I learned something today.


    Dave >>



    Can you actually BUY those??? Every one I have has arrived at my house in a package mailed to me.
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
  • gameusedhoopgameusedhoop Posts: 3,594 ✭✭✭✭
    As I've said, it is 3/4" think, not 1/4"

    From the USPS:

    2.3 First-Class Mail Parcels
    For the purposes of adding Delivery Confirmation service, a First-Class Mail parcel is defined as any piece that:

    § Package has an address side with enough surface area to fit the delivery address, return address, postage, markings and endorsements, and special service label.


    § Package is in a box or, if not in a box, is greater than ¾ inches at its thickest point.
  • KbKardsKbKards Posts: 1,782 ✭✭✭
    Some PO clerks don't rigidly enforce the thickness rule, and the ways to sneak thin packages into the system have been mentioned. But this doesn't mean that a clerk at the recipient's PO won't pull the package and put a postage due on it. Thin packages can be shipped with DC and SC but the postage goes from first class rates to Priority rates. So your customer will have to pay the difference between first class and Priority to pick up their package. After having already paid once for shipping some Ebay buyers may not like having to do this. Some will refuse the package and some will pay and complain. Some cardboard or few foam peanuts will prevent this from happening.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    You can buy them at one of those UPS, mailbox etc type stores, why buy them though?

    You can use some bunched up news paper or paper towel and get the same result.

    Good for you.
  • gimli89gimli89 Posts: 121
    I have been shipping this way for years now, I just cut 2x3 inch or so cardboard pieces from boxes and use 2-3 of them to make the 3/4 inch thickness required.
    This keeps the card/cards protected and makes a flatter surface for your label on bubble mailers.
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