I have seen my post office take the boxes that are taped so they will close because they were so stuffed full. I was told that if there is a bulge in the box, you may have difficulty with an insurance claim.

When I went to get my envelope for mailing, I was told they went up to $4.95 flat rate and that was for 13oz , if it is more, you will need more postage. Sent mine, hoping to find that she received it OK, had 18 blocks in it plus the envelope.

Hmmm... the weight limit for a flat rate envelope, sent anywhere in the US - is not 13oz., it is 70 POUNDS!

Which of course makes me wonder... what could I possibly fit into that envelope that would come even close to weighing that much??

And, by the way... just Friday we got word from a customer in Texas that her envelope containing just 6 yards of fabric was delivered postage due.

So that nice lady who told us that our envelopes were okay to send with 8 yards in them... she is going to be in touch with our customer's Post Office branch. I think I'm gonna let her fight this battle for me.

And I will let you know what happens!

Oh - and by the way - I had also called that local Post Office and was told that there is this memo circulating around various Post Offices showing pictures of what's acceptable and not acceptable for FRE's. Here's the link: http://www.theresellersforum.com/dawn/frp.pdf

Ummm... ya just gotta love the precision which with this issue is being addressed... right?? (Yes that was sarcasm. Click on the link and see for yourself.)

I heard that that memo has been, as Sarah would say, refudiated. It was meant for Critical Mail, not FRE. Anyway, we should all be using the new FR padded envelopes, much better for shipping fabric and books.

Gold, Nancy, pure gold! And that's just what you put in them every day!! ;-)

I just received a Priority envelope the other day with 3 spools of thread, a small notion, and a note that said $.65 due. I send things in a 3M envelope and it is half the price of Priority

During the last block swap, my post office rejected a return envelope that had tape over the stamps because they couldn't put the cancellation stamp directly over the postage.

I had received my FRE back from a swap, and it was only held together along the top flap by 2 inches! Yep! Was a good thing it was all put into a baggie inside!

That's why I ship most things by UPS. It doesn't cost much more with less hassle.