I'm with FrugalFabrics on this.

I've been using the same passage from the DMM specs- go to section 1.5 (sorry for the long url):

http://pe.usps.com/search/jsp/search...ec=56.0.145.56:9920&QueryParser=Simple&querytext=priority+%3Cand %3Eflat-rate%3Cor%3Eflat%3Cand%3Erate%3Cand%3E+envelope&dt ype=2#hit0

Nada about thickness. No matter where I look, I've never seen the 1/2" or 3/4" limit on FRE mentioned. On first class mailings, yes, but not Priority.

It's very annoying. It's just like dealing with the TSA. :roll:

I did enjoy that link though and printed off some references...

my Po gave me sheets about pricing(more like a book) I have my own scale, my own thickness board to measure etc...but then I ship 30-50 orders out a day! and yes, I go the PO for it all! I love my postal lady but she is allowed to smoke in the truck....I am NOT putting fabric in that truck...so I take it to the PO....

I'm not happy either, I went to two PO's in a day and they both said different things! SO I go to who allows me to be cheaper!This is just another thing, we don't have control over!!

My DH mailed one for me recently -- refused by one clerk, he went to another and it was accepted!

Ugh. This is why I drive a little farther to a post office where they're nice and helpful. It drives me insane.

Poly bags are a little more expensive, but they hold up better. You can get some good deals for them on Ebay

Funny thing is, I check flat rate envelopes on the www.usps.com site- I don't see any size restrictions

If I use a clasp envelope I tape up the sides and the tops and bottom seams - and remove the clasp (the clasp seeams to catch on the sorter machine

I get poly bags for less than 10 cents each on Ebay. Amazon has them too. Last time I bought paper "Card" size envelopes in WM they were 10 cents each.
No way would I send fabric in a paper envelope unless it was very small, flat, charms.

It is amazing how much misinformation is floating around the postal world - what a frustrating organization to deal with. This 3/4" rule is WRONG!
I would recommend if your FRE's are refused for being over 3/4", FIGHT IT!! ask to speak to the supervisor, the postmaster, and if necessary talk to the regional customer service reps.
Remember, never accept a "NO" from someone who does not have the power to say "YES".

Suggestion, when you pick up your envelopes, as them to show you the rule - in writing -about how thick a flat rate envelope can be.

Absolutely! And amazing how it works most of the time. :thumbup:

I was in line at my local PO window one day. The lady in front of me was mailing something in one of those envelopes with the metal clasps. The PO worker waiting on her told her to never use the clasp envelopes to mail anything. She said they charge more postage for the clasp envelopes. She went on to say if you have an envelope with the clasp....just take some pliers or whatever & remove the clasp & it will save you a little on postage.

If a postal worker seems to be giving you a hard time about something don't argue with them. Just ask to speak with their supervisor instead. You'll be surprised at how quickly their attitude changes when you do!

I believe that the 3/4" thick rule applies to Critical Mail (and no, I am not sure what that is) ... and also to distinguish between "flats" and "parcels" in First Class Mail.

If you poke through all the details of the DMM it does not specifically mention a thickness for the FREs.

So that "Customer Mailing Guide" is adding to the confusion.

That said... it is certainly possible that the Post Office will at some point change the rules about the FREs. If they do, my hope is that they will publicize the change far enough in advance that everyone who uses the FRE service will not be caught off-guard.

Today I saw this on a site that sells fabrics and patterns:
** Special Note on Flat Rate Envelopes:


In January 2011, the USPS started changing their policy on how much can be shipped within the Flat Rate Envelope. In has been our general practice to ship up to 6 yards within the envelope, although some shops have gone up to 8 yards. Now, packages are being delivered to customers with postage due if the Flat Rate Envelope is too thick.


The USPS does not stipulate in their package preparation instructions a thickness limit. It just states that the package must be sealed with the package glue strip and that the sides cannot be opened. It seems to be up to the individual post offices and the discretion of individual employees as to whether additional charges are applied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Then on another site a pop up from USPS came up showing a flat rate envelope that might as well have been empty, sited as the CORRECT way a flat rate envleope should look, and then a big fat overstuffed envleope (that looks like MINE do) sited as INCORRECT!!

Why doesn't the post office concentrate on getting their mail delivered in a timely manner in good condition rather than this nonsense!! And yes... it seems that some postal workers are jerks and won't accept the fat packages. This has caused me to drive further to a post office. I always hear about how much $$ the post office is losing... do they really think that THIS ATTITUDE is going to help them?!!

Sorry... had to vent. This is upsetting and will really hurt people with mail order businesses and eBay and Etsy sellers. Life is tough enough without the post office picking on us... but then again... the post office IS a government entity. (enough said) : (

I hear your frustration. I've been told by my contact in the Consumer Affairs office of USPS, that there had been a memo circulated around the end of December saying that the envelopes could be no more than 3/4" thick. And of course, you are correct in noting that there is no maximum thickness mentioned on the USPS website, at least not as part of the definitions of the flat-rate envelope service. Or anywhere along the path one would take to purchase postage for such an envelope.

However, there is a publication on www.usps.com - I think it's called the Consumer's Guide to Mailing - where it does specify a 3/4" thickness, though it does not really specify what kind of envelopes or what class of mail service it pertains to.

So the confusion will continue. However, I have not had a report of an envelope being delivered postage due in a couple of weeks now.

And yes I just knocked on a wooden chair to be safe!

that is what I was told at post office where I shipped..just as long as flap attaches where sealed and I could use tape to secure.

my chubby flat rates ship just fine.. My PO accepts them.. Shes even helped me hold one closed while i sealed the envelope it was soo chunky.. Sorry you guys are having such a hard time with FRE"s

would be ideal if we could get a copy of this letter to take with us to the PO every time they say that to us.
Nancy, can you make this happen...

I actually went to the post office to mail my last doll quilt and then a few days later, the package ends up in my mailbox because of insufficient postage. I was fit to be tied since their machine weighed it and I didn't add anything but the shipping label to it before putting it in the mailbox. I was livid. That is not right. I added two postcard stamps to it and put it back in the mailbox. I could understand if I had weighed it at home and tried to guess at the right postage, but actually making a trip to the post office to ensure that there was sufficient postage and then to get it back was infuriating.

I had the postal person pack my flat rate envelop and seal it! He said if it fits it ships...
I personally think some postal people don't know what they are talking about... BECAUSE U.S.P.S. advertises "IF it fits, it ships"... if the postal person says otherwise that = FALSE advertisement and is liable for suit.

I can't remember the name of the shop but I will look.

Thanks Nancy,
if we add it to thread everyone can copy and take to PO
:) :) :)

I have yet to see a 'sign' anymore that states that.. 'If it fits it ships.. ' My PO lady tells me that, and well I'm not going to complain or argue with her if shes taking my overstuffed packages, but if there was something with their motto then there is no argument now is there..

It's on their TV ad. I just heard it again tonight.

I was told as long as sticky strip meets back,,,,take over it...they will ship from my postoffices both directions of where I live..I had an xtra lg sweatshirt stuffed in one...

I meant tape over it....sorry

"If it fits it ships" is still advertised on www.usps.com here:
http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm