The USPS statement said the RR boxes had "low usage" that didn't constitute having them available.
I think the truth is just the opposite. Most all the sellers I know used them; ordered them regularly. We're in Florida and standard rates for Priority Mail are skewed to a more central selling location. Being in the far southeast of the country, the RR boxes saved anywhere from $3 - $7+ per box (less than regular Priority Mail rates), for shipment to the west, midwest, Alaska, even New York state and areas north of that!!
Imagine all the sellers using those boxes and keeping THAT much money out of the USPS coffers!!!
I'm surprised they didn't stop us from getting those discounts a lot sooner!
I use Pirate Ship for all my labels. The secret to get a good rate using a Regional A box, the top load, is to trim it a little so that it measures 10.125x7.125x4.5. then you can ship from 2 lbs. to 20 lbs. to zone 8 for $13.17. 2 lbs. regular priority is $13.17. Zone 1 for $7.39. 2lb. regular priority is $7.53.
You should also look into parcel select ground. Items I have mailed recently have often been delivered as fast as priority, especially to the further zones. Zones 1 through 4 are slower as they move by ground.
I am using my Regional Rate A boxes to ship my items using cubic rates. Have to use Pirate Ship, but I can import my eBay data to Pirate Ship, and thus the tracking information goes directly to my eBay page.
I'm sad to see them go. I used them mostly for "Click and Ship"...sending pkgs to my grandkids in Oklahoma. ..shipping was so much cheaper for me in SC using Regional Rate
I've also used for eBay, and would include the RR as a shipping choice for buyers.
I understand the Post Office is still accepting the boxes for shipping, but at regular Priority Mail cost.
I like the sizes of the RR boxes, so I've ordered some to use as USPM.
Of course it is about money. We sale for money. Carriers deliver mail for money. Clerks do what they do for money. It could be made a lot cheaper if you want people working with no health care, no pensions and minimum wage. That would be good for those who ship stuff. Not so much for the people involved in making the shipping happen though.
It was a business decision to streamline operations. The cost is very expensive of purchasing multiple styles of boxes. Plus, most people just used their normal flat rate priority mail boxes.
little*blackdog
·3 years agoThe USPS statement said the RR boxes had "low usage" that didn't constitute having them available.
I think the truth is just the opposite. Most all the sellers I know used them; ordered them regularly. We're in Florida and standard rates for Priority Mail are skewed to a more central selling location. Being in the far southeast of the country, the RR boxes saved anywhere from $3 - $7+ per box (less than regular Priority Mail rates), for shipment to the west, midwest, Alaska, even New York state and areas north of that!!
Imagine all the sellers using those boxes and keeping THAT much money out of the USPS coffers!!!
I'm surprised they didn't stop us from getting those discounts a lot sooner!
Indeed, it is "all about the money"!
deserdog
·3 years agoI use Pirate Ship for all my labels. The secret to get a good rate using a Regional A box, the top load, is to trim it a little so that it measures 10.125x7.125x4.5. then you can ship from 2 lbs. to 20 lbs. to zone 8 for $13.17. 2 lbs. regular priority is $13.17. Zone 1 for $7.39. 2lb. regular priority is $7.53.
You should also look into parcel select ground. Items I have mailed recently have often been delivered as fast as priority, especially to the further zones. Zones 1 through 4 are slower as they move by ground.
redlmc
·3 years agoI am using my Regional Rate A boxes to ship my items using cubic rates. Have to use Pirate Ship, but I can import my eBay data to Pirate Ship, and thus the tracking information goes directly to my eBay page.
simba6
·3 years agoMoney. It was a way to sneak in another postal rate hike.
jimw1776
·3 years agoI'm sad to see them go. I used them mostly for "Click and Ship"...sending pkgs to my grandkids in Oklahoma. ..shipping was so much cheaper for me in SC using Regional Rate
I've also used for eBay, and would include the RR as a shipping choice for buyers.
I understand the Post Office is still accepting the boxes for shipping, but at regular Priority Mail cost.
I like the sizes of the RR boxes, so I've ordered some to use as USPM.
vintage-camerastuff
·3 years agoIts all about the MONEY!
deserdog
·3 years agoOf course it is about money. We sale for money. Carriers deliver mail for money. Clerks do what they do for money. It could be made a lot cheaper if you want people working with no health care, no pensions and minimum wage. That would be good for those who ship stuff. Not so much for the people involved in making the shipping happen though.
714ricki
·3 years agoIt was a business decision to streamline operations. The cost is very expensive of purchasing multiple styles of boxes. Plus, most people just used their normal flat rate priority mail boxes.
caldreamer
·3 years agoUSPS discontinued them because they want to get every last dime out of us. And they raised their rates about 20 times this year...
fern*wood
·3 years ago... and it's only January.