bearisgray

Once upon a time, parcel post was the way to mail packages.

Now, it's a good idea to check both priority and parcel post rates.

I am going to mail a package that weighs 52 ounces from Minnesota to Iowa.

Going through PayPal - the cost for priority mail will be $6.98. The cost for parcel post will be $7.52, plus I would need to buy packaging (Tyvek envelope)

I was surprised.

dakotamaid

You do get a discount printing out your own labels on paypal. That might be part of the difference.

ptquilts

yes, you get an online discount on Priority and First Class Mail, not on Parcel Post or Media.

FIrst class parcels are now CHEAPER to print postage online than put stamps on them, and that is with Delivery Confirmation with the online postage.

amandasgramma

I had a package to send to my daughter. I could fit the potholders and a towel in the "all you can stuff in a box" box for $15.+. I got a regular paper box, stuffed the potholders and towel PLUS 3 more towels into that box. I went online to the USPS and calculated ------- that box was cheaper to send. Yes, it was not Priority -- but what I was sending wasn't "needed" right away. I actually saved something like $4.00. I always go online and figure out what it will cost for every scenario.

ptquilts

yes, the USPS will always try to "upsell" you and make you think the Flat Rate boxes are the greatest thing since sliced bread. It pays to be aware, have your own scale, and look rates up online.

bearisgray

I almost always check on the USPS site and compare to get an idea of what shipping will cost.

One should not send magazines or newspapers via media mail. (Makes no sense to me - but that's what I was told)

ckcowl

time should also be taken into consideration when choosing the best way to go- generally the packages i send out 'Priority Mail' take 2-5 days to arrive at destination---i've had parcel post packages take 3 months= or longer---i had one package that i sent out parcel post in October (the person receiving requested this) she did not receive the package until the following March!---and the whole time in between she was kind of (upset- hurt toward me= i had no delivery tracking (another thing she did not think was necessary) she thought i only said i sent it---) when it finally arrived she did apologize for the bad feelings she had had--and the things she had been telling people--but of course it was a little to late for much damage control- so now i insist on priority, insurance and delivery confirmation on every package i send through the mail- regardless of how much more it may cost- it is not worth a buck or two savings to go through what we went through.

Favorite Fabrics

You do have to keep checking what the rates are. There are new "Regional Rate" boxes that weren't available a few years ago, plus while we always hear in the news that USPS is raising the cost for a first-class stamp, when they raise parcel rates there isn't nearly as much talk about it.

At least there hasn't been any trouble with sending stUFFed flat-rate envelopes in over a year. They are sticking by the "if it fits, it ships" slogan (provided that the envelope does not exceed the weight limit).

Favorite Fabrics

There is another alternative to insuring through USPS. It's www.shipsurance.com ... and it costs less to insure through them than it does through USPS. Plus they will insure things that USPS won't, such as flat-rate Priority Mail International envelopes.

I self-insure for most domestic shipments (which rarely get lost) ... but I wouldn't want to send an international package without insurance. All in all, I would probably come out a little farther ahead by self-insuring those as well, but I don't like to worry, and I hate unpleasant surprises. So it's worth spending a little extra for the peace of mind it buys.

Phyllis42

Magazines and newspapers have advertisements. Books and DVDs do not.