I still buy stamps from post office as I pay all our bills by check annd mail them. I would hate to lose their service.

my local postal clerk always has me show her what's being shipped and where, then she tells me my best rate. As she explained, with larger mailings it sometimes is cheaper not to use the flat rates because it's going closer. Very helpful folks at my post office. I sometimes send via UPS but find them a bit priceier.

I mostly do online shipping. I rarely have to go to the PO. Having said this- I used to go a lot and we have a really crabby bunch.
I was determined to get the main teller to smile but after 2 years of pleasant hellos and a smile he didn't budge!
He's still there. But I've never seen him smile. Ah well, he does his job well and that's what's important.
quiltingshortimer- I've never had your experience! :)

I send packages by first class. It's cheaper and gets the same service as priority mail. The po guy explained it to me. Priority gets on the truck first then first class then third class. He said the truck is rarely full of only priority and if it is there is always a new truck coming. So if your package can be delayed a day or two use first class.

But First Class is only up to 16 ounces and while it can be tracked it can't be insured. Priority is insured free up to 100.00

Rethinking this- you may be able to insure First Class ( I haven't done it so not sure) but you can't get much in a 16 oz package.

But I'm talking about online. If you go to the USPS website you can't even ship First Class. I'm able to through my Ebay business, which is what I do. There isn't any choice of insurance for FC though, like there is for Priority. Also Priority gets to the recipient a lot faster.
That's my experience anyway.

?? I just mailed a secret pal box this morning that was way over 16oz and it went first class. Why are some post offices so different in the rules?

This is the only way I pay our bills too. I kind of figure, everything costs nowadays and I'm not going to stop mailing out checks for bills or mailing packages to friends or joining in the quilt swaps just because of the cost.

How much did you pay?

Onebyone- maybe what I said is just shipping through Ebay. I can ship First Class up to 16 ounces. If more I ship Priority. It may be different at the Post Office. I'm sure their rates are the same throughout the US. Sorry for the confusion!