My ebay envelopes are getting returned Claiming they are non-machinable.
I eBay envelopes are getting returned. Post office is now saying they are non-machinable when I have sent many packages identical. You have to spend $1.08 on each envelope now or they will not ship it. Mailman left 20 in the rain today.
12 comments
1786davycrockett
·3 years agoCheck out the YouTube video "What happens to your letters when the USPS picks them up?" to see some very accurate and graphic films of the acrobatics that are necessary for letters to pass through the high-speed USPS letter sorting rollers.
Then try to imagine how a rigid mailer would possibly make it through the system.
Like a snowball in a microwave.
gloryglorygifts
·3 years agoThanks for that rabbit hole. LOL. I spent the last hour looking at USPS videos, including the lost mail place in GA. Crazy.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoIn the meantime, I would put a plastic container on the porch and tell the mailman to leave any returned envelops there. You should also notify all of your buyers about the delay. I have a tub full of Pokemon cards and I am dreading selling due to stories like yours.
12345jamesstamps
·3 years agoI had only one returned to me from Montana 2 weeks ago. I usually mail about 30 a week. I ended just mailing it out again. I have been lucky so far. It got mailed out of San Francisco and returned for additional $4.41 postage which is crazy. That's a parcel package cost....my envelope is standard size.
Envelope has to bend a little. Less than 1/4 inch thickness.
It might be something new in your city.
ryjoh-4385
OP3 years agoI am using a semi rigid toploader in a 5†x 7†envelope. I have sent hundred the same way. Something has changed at usps.
1786davycrockett
·3 years ago@ryjoh-4385
"I am using a semi rigid toploader in a 5†x 7†envelope. "
Semi-rigid may still be too rigid. Why not just use a simple penny sleeve, which is what I use -- haven't had a return yet!
shipscript
·3 years agoThis is how I process ESUS envelopes. The flimsy file folder fits the entire envelope and is intended to smooth out any bumps so the leading edge of the envelope is thin and will easily feed into the sorters.
While I'm showing a coffee cup for flexibility, the curve radius of the belts and flippers is more like a coffee can.
Below is how the envelope will travel. The rollers have ejectors that flip out envelopes that are too fat to pass underneath, or that approach oddly. The routing flippers are super high speed, and direct the envelope left or right. There could be a half mile of routers, and this is likely where the jams will occur.
shipscript
·3 years agoI found the video that encompasses the high speed equipment at major sorting hubs.
See minutes 2 through 4 to understand how the envelopes are treated.
https://youtu.be/WX16-52bHvg
worldcoinauctions
·3 years agoI would suggest using a thin flexible toploader. I add a line to my listings explaining that free shipping on cards is in a thin plastic sleeve and an ordinary envelope. I do make a first class postage option available for $4
1786davycrockett
·3 years agoPossibly too thick -- that seems to be the major reason that has been discussed lately on other threads.
Remember -- each eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) must be flexible enough to be nearly folded in half as they run at high speeds through the USPS machine rollers. If they are too rigid, they will be reclassified as non-machinable, and marked for "insufficient postage."
deltilogical
·3 years agoYou mean the rigid mailers branded with EBay in huge letters on front for everyone to know something is inside?
They are certainly nonmachineable, the ones I use bump up with 2 additional ounce stamps (24 cents each).
It would be a better experience for me if they would start offering the smaller size again, preferably without the branding taking up a large portion of the front of the mailer.
With all due respect they are doing you a favor - if they sent them on, the customer might get hit with postage due and that never goes over well.
policequilts
·3 years agoThis is the guidelines for using that option
A plain, number 10 envelope works just fine, but it’s not required. You can use any envelope that fits the following specifications:
If you need to use a thicker or more rigid envelope to better protect what you’re shipping, check with your local post office to ensure your envelope fits the postage bracket and guidelines.
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Since it's not required using a #10 envelope, it may be the type of envelope.
Example:
I remember a long time ago, I would use those Kraft paper envelopes and because I used the clasp to seal the envelopes, it became non-machinable and they added to the postage.
From then on, I just use the seal glue on the envelope and folded it over the clasp and taped it down. The it would go through the machines.