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nope= flat rate envelopes are supposed to be for documents only- more and more post offices are (following the rules) now- we were never supposed to be able to stuff anything in the flat rate envelopes except flat paper-
you can still stuff tyvek envelopes from the post office and the 4 sizes of flat rate boxes- which start at $5.95 to send- those you can put what you want in. some places the p.o. has always enforced the rules- others were (lax) and pretty much let anything go- with budget cuts and the financial situation of the post office the (big chiefs)have started insisting the rules be followed- so now there are some things we have taken for granted for a few years that will change- just one more of the effects of our present days-- |
The official rules, as posted on the USPS website, do allow for stuffed envelopes. Details have been posted here on the forum quite a number of times.
No more than 4 pounds per envelope, though! Seriously... you could not fit 4 pounds of documents in an envelope that size. Nor could you fit 4 pounds of fabric. Three, maybe... I have always been able to send stuffed envelopes. The only problems I have encountered were on the receiving end. I have had to call the destination Post Offices and speak to the postmaster and cite the rules, regulations, and applicable rulings to them. I have also on occasion had to have my local USPS Business Services Specialist call the destination Post Offices on my behalf. I think this was more of a problem in December-January when the rules were in flux and updated memos regarding USPS rulings had not been sent to (or read) by all the branches. I have not had any problems since February. |
The rule for FRE's is -- It has to close within its own folds, you're not allowed to make it into a box by cutting or modifying it in any way. The adhesive strip has to be adhered to its mating surface. You're not allowed to add any material to make it larger.
You should always add additional tape to all the seams, the FRE's are just not that robust. Postal clerks are allowed to refuse over-stuffed FRE's, at their own discretion, if they feel that they can't be shipped safely without danger of bursting, so use additional tape. A couple of other comments -- the new legal-sized FRE's hold more and ship for the same price -- $4.95 if purchased at the post office, $4.75 if postage is purchased online. The padded FRE's are the same price for postage whether purchased online or at the PO - $4.95. For certain items these can be handier, but these are meant for businesses, so the post office normally doesn't have them. You can order them for free from usps.com. |
When It comes to the envelopes mine tells me if I can get it shut they will take it. Well taped of course. .
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My postmaster says as long as I can tape it shut.Small town though,only two workers total lol
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Originally Posted by MTS
Originally Posted by bearisgray
$4.95 at the post office plus delivery confirmation
$4.75 if purchased through PayPal, which includes delivery confirmation The price really should be $4.95 with NO DISCOUNT and free DelConf. However, since PayPal hasn't yet added the padded option to the form, the only option is the regular FRE which does provide a $.20 discount. I haven't yet had a package returned for the extra postage (over 150 as I'm halfway done with my 2nd box). Yet. :roll: Technically, I guess they could ask for it. My packages are either deposited in the kiosk, or scanned on the multi-order form, so nobody really notices. And my mailguy is a dream Or worse, ask your buyer for it on the other end. If you buy your postage at usps.com, you'll see that both the padded and legal FRE's have no discount on the postage. Delivery Confirmation, however, continues to be free on all the Priority options when postage is purchased online. |
Originally Posted by QKO
A couple of other comments -- the new legal-sized FRE's hold more and ship for the same price -- $4.95 if purchased at the post office, $4.75 if postage is purchased online.
http://postcalc.usps.gov/MailService...&MailingTime=8:00%20AM&mt=37 And when, and if, they get added to the PayPal form, they'll still be full priced. |
Originally Posted by bearisgray
I took a couple of those to the post office window to see if I needed to pay extra postage - and the clerk just shrugged and let them go.
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We are only allowed to add a small piece of tape on either end of the cardboard envelope, where the adhesive is... no other tape or they reject them.
I do take some to other POs where they are not so picky :D:D:D |
Geez, I didn't realize they were so big. Guess I have to order new supplies! Thanks so much for all your input. I've learned so much, and I thought I was pretty mail savvy!
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