USPS: here's a new one...
LRCTom
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I send my raw coins in Safe-t-Mailers enclosed in manila envelopes, securely taped, etc. Been doing this for close to 20 years now. I buy postage through the ebay system, where this is considered a "first class package."
I had a customer write me, saying he had to pay $4.76 for "Postage Due." I reimbursed him, but asked him to talk to the P.O. and try to find out why. Here's what he told me..
"They just said you didn’t use a bubble wrap envelope so it wasn’t a large sized by USPS regulations. and they had to mail priority for tracking and charged me the balance."
I'm not a Postal Service basher, by any means. Overall, they've been great, with one or two glitches here and there, but really, no significant complaints. But this was a new one.
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
Comments
That makes no sense.
1st Class packages get tracked, too. I hand a package to my local carrier, they scan it immediately.
Simple. I'm not sure exactly when the policy changed, but you can no longer mail merchandise in envelopes. If you've been doing it, it just wasn't caught before now.
As long as you identify it as merchandise rather than a "letter", if asked, there's no problem with placing it in an envelope. I had this issue raised a few times back decades ago. The moment I placed things in a manila envelope rather than a regular white envelope, the issue disappeared.
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
Thickness determines if it's a first class letter or first class package. About a $2 difference in the starting rates for postage. This is why we sometimes have to include a foam peanut in a bubble envelope to achieve required thickness. PO counter actually has a cardboard cutout with a slot opening that they use to verify if has "letter or package" thickness.
Why you got charged priority is beyond me.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Yes, I've had that thickness gauge used too. If it's a skinny coin like a half dime, it might fit within the limit, where I've been charged the letter rate. But I don't think they are really supposed to do that. If it's merchandise, it should get the package rate.
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
Likely a consequence of the automated sorting machinery. Anything that has to be hand handled due to thickness does add expense.
I send my raw coins in Safe-t-Mailers enclosed in manila envelopes, securely taped, etc. Been doing this for close to 20 years now. I buy postage through the ebay system, where this is considered a "first class package."
I send lots of coins this way except I don't use the eBay system as they can go for 70 cents for 1 ounce (non-machinable letter) instead of 3+ bucks (package).
no problem sending a single coin in a mylar saflip taped flat to the packing slip. 55 cent flat rate forever stamp, includes up to two quarters per letter.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
That sucks. And I'll bet you couldn't weight to get them.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Good pun LOL.
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"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
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Interesting information, thank you all for sharing !!!
Who knows with the USPS.
Of course, a first class letter is .55. A 1 ounce 'package' is 3.80.
I pay as low as 2.84 on line for bubble envelope postage, depending on zones traveled.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Hmmm, I've been using the 6x9 manila envelopes for years. I use cardboard inside which makes it ridged and make sure it is too thick for machinable mail. Me thinks you got an ignorant postal clerk. I would email USPS customer service as a safty mailer would be too thick for regular mail...in an envelope or not!
An envelope is an envelope. If an envelope has merchandise in it, it can jam up the machinery.> @amwldcoin said:
The key part of what you say is "makes it ridged and make sure it is too thick for machinable mail". Not the type of mail I was talking about at all and it changes everything. What you described is now a parcel and handled totally different than merchandise being mailed in an envelope. Ignorant clerk comment not necessary because two totally different things are being described here.
There is an in between service (large envelope or "flat") that works well for single low value items if done correctly. A 000 (or some other sizes) bubble mailer can be sent for $1.20 (1 oz rate + additional 1 oz). the mailer will not fit through the small sizing slot in the USPS Shape Based Template but will fit through the large slot. There are standards to be followed including:
1) the thickness must be uniform except for a 1" border (a single coin in a paper 2x2 will not disrupt the uniform thickness)
2) the item must be secured (I tape the 2x2 to the lower corner of an index card so it stays in place in the corner of the flat),
3) the flat must be flexible to 45 degrees at the midline in both directions - either the customer or the USPS clerk can perform this test if needed (the reason for securing the item in the corner - I also limit coin diameters to 32mm / 50c size both for weight & not to interfere with the midline test))
The full description and limitations of large envelope/flat USPS standards can be found under section 2.0 at this link: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/101.htm#ep1002686
Using flats correctly gives you the advantage of a rate lower than the 1st Class package rate plus gives you the added security of a bubble mailer. The disadvantage of course is no tracking. The value of items sent will vary with the individual's comfort level of self insurance and confidence in the honesty of the buyer, i.e. 'How much will it bother me if this gets lost/stolen?". I have had excellent results using large envelopes.
For quite a while after the Template came into use, there were USPS clerks around the country that were not trained (i.e. didn't listen during training) about the differences and would either kick back the flats or charge postage due to the customer. I had to refund a number of customers before certain USPS pockets across the country learned the rules -- any that came back would be re-sent by my local P.O. with a 0.00 meter strip (I've trained them well). Now only once or twice a year will a flat be mishandled due to size.
I sent an amended return to the IRS in Fresno in a bubble pack envelope and something light to make it over 3/4 inch thick so I could get free tracking rather than pay the higher fee for flat rate.
You probably got a persnickety clerk who thought they knew the rules. My carrier said he just lets postage due stuff go.
Is it possible the customer was fibbing? Did the customer send you an image of the package now labeled "Priority?"
I have received a few packages with postage due and there was always evidence of the postage due amount on the package.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Yes, he sent me a couple pictures. The P.O. put my envelope in a larger envelope and re-addressed it. And marked the Postage Due on the new envelope, which my customer had to pay to receive the shipment. As I said in the original post, I reimbursed the customer. No big deal. I just hope this was only a one-time occurrence.
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
I had this happen to me once also. Fortunately, it was sent to someone I knew so I didn't have to worry about eBay feedback. (Yes, I reimbursed them.)
Since then I always stick a few peanuts in my padded envelopes. It bulks them out so that there's no question of thickness, without really having any effect on weight.
When offering free shipping I send coins valued under $20 in a "birthday card" sized envelope, about 5 by 7 inches, sometimes as many as three coins. The coin(s) is in a cardboard 2X2 placed on a piece of card stock the size of the envelope and then another piece of card stock just slightly larger than the 2X2(s) taped over the coin(s) to hold them in place, fold the packing slip and put everything into the envelope. Since it is "rigid" I apply fifteen cents in stamps plus regular first class postage, fifty-five cents for one ounce, seventy cents if 2 ounces. I have my own little "goesinta" that I made that is the same thickness as the one the post office uses to make sure it qualifies for first class "letter" postage.
So..... seventy cents or eighty-five cents instead of $2.74 or more for a first class package. Of course I get no tracking but if it does get lost or the buyer says they never got it I'd pay them off with some of the $2.00 plus I save per package. Knock on wood, I haven't had one go missing yet.
I save another few cents buying forever stamps on eBay during the eBay Bucks promotions, usually end up paying about thirty-eight cents each.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide