Swaps/postage
 

How are you mailing and what are the costs?


Yesterday I went to us mail a table runner which weighted a pound, the clerk said it had to be in a bigger mailer and it would be $11.95. I thought, okay she's had a bad day I'll come back tomorrow. Sure enough, different clerk and can use the same mailer and 1/3 the cost. It's wasn't busy so I asked her a few questions about cost. She said a box is more expense than a mailer same weight. Since the runner wasn't glass, leak or explode it could go in a mailer. It didn't have to go in a box.

Yesterday to mail 1 block, it was $2.25 to mail in a mailer, but the clerk told me today if in a business size envelope it would have been about $1.00.

I know cost are determined by how far you are sending, but I think how perhaps is a bigger factor. So how are you shipping? Please share. Thanks!

I have been a couple of swaps, and I have gotten different prices on mailing the same package at different post offices. The different prices had to do with the thickness of the envelope. I had ordered the flat rate tyevek envelopes from the post office website, and stuffed it full of 2.5" squares and it cost $6.00 to go from NY to Tx... I'm talking about the envelope looked like it was going to explode. The clerk taped it.. I also pack my swaps in a ziplock bag, and put my address on it. If the bag eplodes, or gets ripped apart, the chances are that it will get back to me.. the thought of spending time on making the project, and it getting lost will upset me big time..

I stuff an evelope with 2 1/2 pieces and cost me two stamps. there are lots of cheap ways to send pieces. may times it is cheaper to send not using the flat rate if it does not weigh alot. I go went its not busy so I can ask and have them check different options for me.

For anything that will fit in a letter size envelope, in it goes. I also use 9x12" manilla envelopes for larger items. Very seldom do I have to use anything larger. That is why I don't understand those who sell fabric here and charge $5.00 plus to mail a yard or two of fabric. I do not purchase the post office envelopes or boxes, way too expensive.

I had made two fleece blankets, (the ones you tie together with strips all around). I put it in the smallest box I could fit them into and took it to the PO. It was almost $20. Took it home. Called the main PO and asked how come so much, as they were light. He said it was the size of the box. So I got the vacuum bags and made them fit into the medium $12something box. Had to sit on the bag to get it to squeeze out as much space/air as I could, undo and shift the contents, etc. Finally made it fit!

Postage - as far as I can tell - is determined by weight, size of package, and destination.

13 ounces is the cut-off weight from first class mail to package options.

You see the only way to use the confirmation slip that tracks the mailing, is to use those mailers. That covers you to know for sure it got there. I had a person say they didn't get something and had to give her money back. (It never returned to me, so ???) So, it is important to a seller and the buyer can check on line to know when it will arrive and where it is. So it is a win win.

The only way that I could get a confirmation was when something was mailed as a package (had to be at least 1/4 inch thick) - I was able to use manila envelopes -

If I send packages using postage purchased through PayPal, I get confirmation delivery included in the cost.

Go to: paypal.com/shipnow if you need to provide the address.

Hey there bearisgray, thanks for that information.

All the information is at www.usps.com
You can check out the sizes and things available and all their policies. You should be able to know before you go to the post office what it is going to cost you and it shouldn't matter which clerk is handling you, assuming all things are equal.