USPS Flat Rate PADDED Envelope

BAJJERFAN

Went to mail some coin sets on Saturday that seemed suited to use the flat rate bubble padded envelope. On the way to the PO, I stopped at a grocery store with a postal substation and grabbed 2 JIC. Had already printed my shipping label. Go to the PO and none were to be had.

Stopped at the PO today for some stamps and asked the clerk for some padded flat rate envelopes. He said they weren't permitted to stock them and I'd have to order them. Anyone else find that to be true?

LochNESS

If you are referring to Priority Mail padded envelopes (bubble mailers?) then I haven't seen any in a few years at my PO - only Tyvek and boxes.

As for ordering, this is easily done and it's free. I have ordered P.M. boxes from usps website before. Mailman delivered to my house, no charge. More size options on the website, too.

coindeuce

The branch manager has the option to not stock them. Since they're free, well you can figure out the rest.
Just get a free registration at USPS.com, order them online (free shipping with certain limitations on quantities ordered) and they usually arrive in under 7 days. The bubble padded Priority FR envelopes come in a plastic bag of 25.

TopographicOceans

There is a display at my PO with the free boxes, but they don't have padded Priority ones out.
I asked the gal at the blue door and she went and got one for me.

I don't know why they are so prized by the post office?

coindeuce

<< <i>There is a display at my PO with the free boxes, but they don't have padded Priority ones out.
I asked the gal at the blue door and she went and got one for me.

I don't know why they are so prized by the post office? >>



Check the Staples or Office Max or even Walgreen's price per large padded mailer envelope, and then you'll know why USPS branch offices don't go out of their way to make them accessible. They couldn't stock enough of them to keep ahead of the freeloaders that will take them and recover them for other than Priority service.

blu62vette

You can order the padded priority mailers online and small flat rate boxes fit inside them.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>The branch manager has the option to not stock them. Since they're free, well you can figure out the rest.
Just get a free registration at USPS.com, order them online (free shipping with certain limitations on quantities ordered) and they usually arrive in under 7 days. The bubble padded Priority FR envelopes come in a plastic bag of 25. >>



From the clerk's tone it seemed more like USPS policy than local policy. He was surprised the grocery store substation had them. I guess they got them from someone who ordered them and gave them back the extras.

I'm aware I can order certain stuff from the USPS store/site. I had to go to the USPS site in order to generate a shipping label. I guess I was fortunate to have scavenged the 2 padded envelopes that I did get.

VanHalen

<< <i>Went to mail some coin sets on Saturday that seemed suited to use the flat rate bubble padded envelope. On the way to the PO, I stopped at a grocery store with a postal substation and grabbed 2 JIC. Had already printed my shipping label. Go to the PO and none were to be had.

Stopped at the PO today for some stamps and asked the clerk for some padded flat rate envelopes. He said they weren't permitted to stock them and I'd have to order them. Anyone else find that to be true? >>



Yep. Over here in Dubuque the main P.O. told me order them online. I know have about 15 in the closet. On a positive note the clerks at this P.O. accept them posted with regular Priority Mail envelope rates.

messydesk

<< <i>You can order the padded priority mailers online and small flat rate boxes fit inside them. >>


Actually, you can fit two small flat rate boxes inside them. Likewise for the padded express mailers.

cucamongacoin

The padded envelopes are great for larger items, and are well made, so they are probably much more costly than the comparable small flat rate box, hence their (the PO) reluctance to offer them widely and routinely. I order them as needed, though I have gotten a few from my local, small PO.

davewesen

<< <i>

<< <i>Went to mail some coin sets on Saturday that seemed suited to use the flat rate bubble padded envelope. On the way to the PO, I stopped at a grocery store with a postal substation and grabbed 2 JIC. Had already printed my shipping label. Go to the PO and none were to be had.

Stopped at the PO today for some stamps and asked the clerk for some padded flat rate envelopes. He said they weren't permitted to stock them and I'd have to order them. Anyone else find that to be true? >>



Yep. Over here in Dubuque the main P.O. told me order them online. I know have about 15 in the closet. On a positive note the clerks at this P.O. accept them posted with regular Priority Mail envelope rates. >>



I received one in the mail with regular flat rate postage and a postage due for the difference...

mas3387

Been to many post office's.... None of them stock them...
You have to order on their website... Still free... They sure come in handy..
We have shipped 25$ boxes of 1c's in them.. Also 2 PCGS boxes fit nicely

derryb

lots of free priority mail supplies at the usps.com website that you can't find in your local PO

BackroadJunkie

<< <i>lots of free priority mail supplies at the usps.com website that you can't find in your local PO >>

This. I have a wider selection of flat rate boxes and envelopes in my closet than my post office will ever have. (It doesn't take much...)

Flatwoods

Best answer... It's the USPS.
I use several different boxes on a regular basis.
My local post office has tried to order certain boxes for me and were turned down.
Why someone half way across the country can decide what a local post office can order makes no sense.
Again USPS.

I finally just set up an account and order all I need.
No problems.

rkfish

Tom........my local small town PO can not order them, in fact, I have been asked on several occasions to order extras when I do my personal order so they can have them in the PO. Doesn't make any sense to me but you know BIG GOVT!

HATTRICK

< Check the Staples or Office Max or even Walgreen's price per large padded mailer envelope, and then you'll know why USPS branch offices don't go out of their way to make them accessible. They couldn't stock enough of them to keep ahead of the freeloaders that will take them and recover them for other than Priority service.>

This. If something is out there for free and it has many other uses, than using for paid priority mail, it will dissappear way faster than it can be restocked.
Thoes items would be taken at a far greater rate than what gets used for in paid postage which is a loss of money for the post office.

Goldbully

<< <i>< Check the Staples or Office Max or even Walgreen's price per large padded mailer envelope, and then you'll know why USPS branch offices don't go out of their way to make them accessible. They couldn't stock enough of them to keep ahead of the freeloaders that will take them and recover them for other than Priority service.>

This. If something is out there for free and it has many other uses, than using for paid priority mail, it will dissappear way faster than it can be restocked.
Thoes items would be taken at a far greater rate than what gets used for in paid postage which is a loss of money for the post office. >>

LindeDad

Simple if they put them out, nobody would ever buy any bubble wrap.

jessewvu

Yes, this is true. Most PO's are only permitted to carry specific sizes. I usually order 50-100 more when I put an order in and drop them off at the post office. They appreciate it.

DaveWcoins

The local postmaster (who has become a good friend over the years) told me he is not allowed to order them.

He asked me to give him a few extras that I might have so he would have them when customers ask.

HATTRICK

To thoes of you who order extra for your local post office.

When ever I can do something that simple to help someone else out I do.

It makes me feel warm & fuzzy inside.

BAJJERFAN

I guess I'm fortunate to have lucked into a couple. I do recall getting a bullion order from Pinehurst Coin Exchange where they used em for package stuffing.

freechance

I have gotten dozens as padding in boxes from bullion dealers, sometimes 8-10 per box. I have also shipped out many using only the 'flat rate envelope' option instead of the 'padded flat rate envelope' option. Its .40 cheaper online and I hadn't notice the padded option when I started using them. Most were delivered ok, with a couple delivered with postage due and 1 was slapped with a 'non-deliverable as addressed' label and took 3 weeks to get back to me so I could resend. they are also not available locally only online.

freechance

I have gotten dozens as padding in boxes from bullion dealers, sometimes 8-10 per box. I have also shipped out many using only the 'flat rate envelope' option instead of the 'padded flat rate envelope' option. Its .40 cheaper online and I hadn't notice the padded option when I started using them. Most were delivered ok, with a couple delivered with postage due and 1 was slapped with a 'non-deliverable as addressed' label and took 3 weeks to get back to me so I could resend. they are also not available locally only online.