USPS Priority packaging question

Goldbully

Tonight I received some coins from eBay via USPS Priority Service.

The seller packed the coins neatly in a USPS small flat rate box.

He then packed that neatly taped box in a USPS flat rate envelope.

I have three questions.

Is this legal with USPS?

Is there a savings to the seller in postage?

What is the benefit to shipping coins in this manner?

Thanks in advance.

coin22lover

That sounds very bizarre and I can think of no benefit.

GRANDAM

A quick price check shows the envelope at 20 cents cheaper than the box but I suspect it was done as a security measure,,

double boxing the box in the envelope to make the package more secure in it journey.

GrandAm

jessewvu

The printed material says free priority items must be used for Priority mail shipments, I don't see anything wrong here. Small flat rate boxes should be cheaper than a flat rate envelop by a few cents. My speculation is that he selected FRE instead of FRB by mistake and thought that the packaging actually made a difference so he put it in the envelope to be on the safe side.

nibanny

You are supposed to use the mailing supplies to "mail" stuff, not as packaging.
Having said that, I sometimes use the USPS small boxes to add extra security and put them either inside a padded envelope or a medium flat rate box.
I hope the USPS doesn't mind...since I anyhow pay more than the small flat rate.

HelloWorld

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airplanenut

I don't see anything wrong with it--you can use Priority packaging for Priority shipments. I routinely put the large video-like box (the small flat rate shape, but bigger) inside a flat rate padded mailer. First, it's extra protection, and second, especially as the weight goes up, the price is much cheaper because it stays at the flat rate.

VanHalen

As a side note USPS now offers Priority Flat Rate Padded Envelopes. I believe the postage is a few cents more than Small Flat Rate Boxes or Regular Flat Rate Envelopes but the volume they hold is larger, quite a bit larger than the other $5 and change options.

Always buy online for the best price and free tracking.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>Tonight I received some coins from eBay via USPS Priority Service.

The seller packed the coins neatly in a USPS small flat rate box.

He then packed that neatly taped box in a USPS flat rate envelope.

I have three questions.

Is this legal with USPS?

Is there a savings to the seller in postage?

What is the benefit to shipping coins in this manner?

Thanks in advance. >>



The last question might be best answered by the person who sent the coins. Some people just go into the overkill mode when it comes to sending stuff through the mail.

blu62vette

It is fine.

What I like to do it put the flat rate small box into a flat rate bubble mailer. I think that is good protection. Also fits in the overnight flat rate bubble mailer.

derryb

Private insurer may have required the double packaging.

TopographicOceans

You can't turn a Priority Mail box inside out and use it for sending 1st Class, but even though I have a pet peeve about people using NEW priority mail boxes for packing (because as a taxpayer, I'm paying for it) it's not against any USPS regulations that I know of.

gsa1fan

My post office gives me all the boxes I want = they want you to use them to MAIL things. Any which way you wish to pay.

I received a 1 oz. silver bar loose in a legal size envelope from a eBay seller now was that cheating, gambling, or frugal?

Also was mailed a GSA in original mailer with postage label taped to it. It was like 1973 again

BigA

<< <i> (because as a taxpayer, I'm paying for it) >>



Actually you are not....

Goldbully