nativetexan

yep, I always put tape over the address. Been there, done that.

AZ Jane

I do have to say I am a little shocked by the idea that someone intentionally messed with the address. For what purpose? The package got where it was intended. Postal workers do not get to keep un-deliverable mail. Especially in bad weather, packages get wet, wet ink smears on wet paper.

DivaDee

My son and wife had a new baby while they were in Iceland. I mailed a baby quilt and new clothes. I also put in toys for the older boy, When it got to them, it was filled with bags of hard candy (so it weighs the same?). It went military mail from New York. I was so dissapointed.

jojo47

This has been a great help, as I will be sending a baby quilt to my daughter in a couple of days...and yes, I do use priority mail. It definitely is worth it!

marge954

I have struggled with what to put on the label when asked for contents and "blanket" is a great answer!

Feather3

I mailed a quilt from PA to Nebraska. I went on USPS website & printed out my shipping label, requiring signature on the receiving end. They did not ask what was in my package. I used a vacuum bag & stuffed a queen sized quilt, extra fabric & a few other tiny items in the largest priority box, which is 12" x 12" x 5 1/2" inside. I added extra insurance before printing out my label. I accordion folded the quilt length wise first then width wise & made sure it would fit inside the box first, then safety pinned a index card with to/from address on it. Then I placed it in the vacuum bag & shrunk it down. I Taped the daylights out of the box....every seam, the whole label, etc. with heavy packing tape. My Post Master said that's the way they like to see them, so they don't get ripped open. My friend had to sign for it when it arrived. She remarked about all the tape she had to cut thru to get the box open, but it arrived. I have also sent items to a friend in Sweden using the same method, except overseas packages go by size & weight.

The more tape you use the less someone will try to rip the box open. Also insist on a tracking number & watch it on line daily. If it goes missing go to your post office & insist they find it. I had dog collar tags that went missing & my Post Master found them after 2 months.

This one will shock most of you:
My friend in Sweden sent me a collectors plate. She wrapped it in paper, placed it in a paper bag & stappled it shut. That's it...no other pagkaging, nothing. I was shocked when it arrived in one piece. Yet I have received packages, sent from barely 100 miles, away smashed. Go figure.

HettyB

I would like to add something... when mailing a quilt abroad make sure they have a post box and their city hasn't switched them over to a "Community Mailbox". I had never heard of such a thing until my friend in Winnipeg told me how unhappy she was being switched over and about the problems with receiving packages. Now I send things to her by courier rather than using the postal service.

HettyB

ube quilting

Interesting stories. Thanks so much for all the shared info. I will keep them in mind for future mailings.
peace

Learner747

Only address one side of the package. Postal workers are on deadlines and must work quickly. If a worker picks up a package to sort to the correct bins and happens to pick up a side with the address but no postage because it is attached to the opposite side. They may assume the parcel has no postage and put it in Return for Postage bin which delays it. But do use the packing tape on the address and put the destination on the inside, too. Then when it ends up in the Dead Parcel dept. and they open it, they will be able to rewrap and put a new address label on it.

Learner747

Even military mail must go through that country's Customs Dept. That is where nearly all missing merchandise can be traced to.