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tictictic_OnEbay
(addict)
05/20/08 04:37 PM
USPS Shipping Update  

It's May 20th, and I just returned from the PO where I shipped my usual stack of First Class, legal-sized envelopes each with, in this case, a single coin sandwiched between two pieces of thin cardboard.

Yesterday, these exact same one-ounce envelopes cost $.62. Today, they cost $.42.

For a year, they've been charging the non-machinable surcharge for such envelopes, because they were inflexible (I was told the envelope had to be able to bend around rollers in the sorting machines). Today, they clerks had received an announcement. No more surcharge for inflexible letter or legal envelopes.

The surcharge still applies if the envelope is over a quarter-inch thick. The example they give in the announcement is, "...a single CD/DVD in a paper sleeve is not considered rigid and should not be assessed a surcharge; 1 or more CD/DVDs in a cardboard sleeve would be considered too rigid and would be assessed a surcharge. Rigidity does NOT change a letter to a large envelope; only exceeding the size or weight can change a letter to a large envelope. Rigidity will change a large envelope to a package."

Clear?? LOL You should see the page the clerks got -- arrows pointing various directions -- very confusing.

Sue




bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
05/20/08 08:03 PM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

A CD or DVD does not qualify for rigid. Geez. I wonder what they are going to do with a single CD if it has to go through the rollers. Perhaps all CD's and DVD's should be insured against an encounter with the roller

I feel so sorry for the Postal employees. Can you imagine being required to learn all that stuff!

Well now, I just wonder if we are going to have some changes in our packages. hummm, I will check tomorrow!!!



Judy/blue

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tictictic_OnEbay
(addict)
05/20/08 08:15 PM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: bluepennylady]  

Yeah, I know. It's going to be interesting. Maybe they changed the machinery -- ?? No more rollers??

Here's the notice they gave me a copy of:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/emailshere/FirstClassMail.jpg

I love my postal clerks. I'm very lucky to have four of the nicest people I've ever met handling my shipping. The two that were there today were laughing at how tricky to understand this announcement was.

Sue

Edited by tictictic_OnEbay on 05/20/08 08:16 PM (server time).



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
05/20/08 08:23 PM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! That is a horrible announcement!

At least they could have developed a graph or something. But arrows, come on!

Our Postal clerks are dolls too. well, I am not sure the boys would want to be called dolls. But the girls are dolls and the boys are just super gents!

I am betting the rules and regs become even more confusing as time passes....



Judy/blue

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bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
05/20/08 08:26 PM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

If forgot to mention, we had a new one happen to us. The USPS Office in New York City would not deliver a package because they said it had too much tape on it...

It was a Flat Rate envelope. We always tape the edges because the new envelopes are pitiful. They break open at the drop of a hat. And the Post Office refused to deliver the item to our buyer unless he paid an additional $5.60 for the package. Wouldn't let it go for the Flat rate price.

Our Post Master called their Post Master. I guess the "USPS tape rule" can be interpreted by teh Post Master of every Post Office. I Post Master thought it was a good idea to tape the edges. New York City did not. So now we don't tape anything going to New York and if it falls out, etc, well New York City Post Office gets the insurance claim

Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous!


Judy/blue

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tictictic_OnEbay
(addict)
05/20/08 11:57 PM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: bluepennylady]  

That's nuts all right. If they are going to object to tape, they ought to adopt a tape standard they could apply equally to any package. Maybe you could request that the New York PO articulate their objections in writing.

I haven't seen the new Flat Rate envelopes. They aren't Tyvek any more?

Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
05/21/08 05:02 AM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

the Flat rate envelope is cardboard.

We started taping the edges a long time ago on the Flat Rate envelope because we had an insurance claim. The envelope edge broke open. The USPS refused to pay the claim because they said we did not take proper precaution. and that we should secure the edges with tape. So we have done it ever since. I just thought it was so funny they wouldn't deliver it because of the tape..

You can buy Tyvek Priority envelopes but the Flat Rate envelopes are cardboard.



Judy/blue

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AquilaStamps
(addict)
05/21/08 06:14 AM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: bluepennylady]  

Judy & Sue:

My experience with the flat rate envelopes has been similar. I've always been afraid of them opening up also. I had checked a while ago with the postal manual and it states that a flat rate envelope has to close with the sealing flap and not need any additional assistance (tape) to keep it closed. However, they do not say anything about tape to add extra "insurance" for security purposes. My experience has been OK so far and do send to NYC quite often. I only use the clear tape not Priority Tape to seal the envelope. Once the tab has been sealed on the envelope I use clear tape to seal the flap. Then clear tape (the wide stuff) to seal the two edges without wrapping the tape around to the other side. Then the computer printed self adhesive label covers a good portion of the tape when it is applied. So far (fingers crossed) there has not been any problem. I have seen times when people have used the priority mail tape to seal their envelopes and the clerk has questioned it. I don't know if any of this helps but it has worked for me. Oh the wonders of individual clerk's interpretation of the rules!!

Garry



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
05/21/08 07:18 AM
Re: USPS Shipping Update new [re: AquilaStamps]  

Garry,

We do the same thing. Clear tape to guard the edges. And we do use a small piece right smack in the middle of where the flap it at. I do that on every envelope even the regular ones I send out bills etc in. Always have. My mom did it so I do it too

Good thing the buyer this happened to was a long time repeat buyer. They were not mad or anything just totally surprised as we had shipped like that to them for years.

Who knows what the Post Office had been told in the last training session.


Judy/blue

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