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Sellers stealing USPS free shipping supplies to use as internal padding
This seems to be rampant these days - sellers taking free USPS supplies, such as bubble mailers and boxes, and using them as packing material. At least 1/3 of my stuff I buy comes this way, and today I received the most obnoxious example yet. I bought 12 sticks of vintage computer ram. It was packaged as follows:
6 USPS customs declarations pouches, each containing 2 sticks of ram.
2 of these of those each wrapped in a Priority Mail bubble mailer (so 3 mailers)
Each of the 3 mailers packed into a USPS small priority flat rate box.
The entire Priority box enclosed in a cheap plastic outer cover, shipped via FIRST CLASS PACKAGE.
Sure seems like theft and a federal crime to me.
11 comments
kh-stanley1
·2 years agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
momtoabeautifuldaughter
·2 years agoOn my other account if I buy something and they misuse Priority supplies that is an instant negative from me and if I have time I call their post office and report it.
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoSeems worth mentioning in the Feedback you leave.
"Securely packed with USPS shipping supplies although shipped by FedEx"
You might add "tacky".
And make it a neutral.
robbie31415
·2 years agoIf I send something priority flat rate padded envelope and I cut up pieces of priority box to fit to surround my item, is that misuse?
I guess because I'm altering the a box that isn't used for that service.
But since I used priority service would people be against this ?
simba6
·2 years agoIt's not all that clear. Priority supplies have to be used for priority mail. Where is becomes unclear is that they say " misuse may be a violation of federal law". If they are not sure, how can we?
I do agree they should not have used them like that. Those plastic pouches also are not anti static coated. Sliding items or out could cause damage to static sensitive items.
marelega
·2 years agoToday I received a package from an eBay Seller in Blacklick, OH.
The candle was packed in 8 new padded USPS envelopes, then put into a brand new USPS Priority Mail box, then wrapped in plastic. It was shipped using USPS Ground Advantage Service.
I can't
speak for others, but I won't purchase anything from this Seller again. It doesn't take much creativity to find inexpensive or even free packing supplies that don't cost the taxpayers money.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoYou can report the seller to their local post office @marelega .
marelega
·2 years agoThank you, I will give that a try.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoNo prob - just keep in mind some post offices have employees that won't care and will brush you off. Some may be responsive.
brandonsvsu
OP3 years agoThe problem? It's illegal. That's the problem. It literally says right on the pouches, for example, that "misuse may be a violation of federal law."
Those free materials are technically still property of the USPS and it is not legal to use them for anything other than their intended purpose. Using them for internal packaging, especially when then shipping via a lower-cost shipping method, is absolutely misuse.
continentalcollectibles
·2 years agoTHats an Interesting Statement, Obviously the one that brandonsvsu is showing is over the top misuse of the free Supplies. Just a Question, so when it does not become property of USPS?. I always try to use up every cardboard box I get from packages that are sent to me I cut up the USPS ones the FedEx ones and U-Haul ones every day. I regularly cut them up to repurpose them for backing photos and Magazines, Better than throwing them in the trash, right? They still say to be used for sending Priority Mail. also, I noticed they do not say" is a Violation of Federal Law" it say "it May be a Violation of Federal Law" I know it's an implied contract when you receive them but since they are GIVING them to a Person and not making them sign any contractual obligation that cannot be violated I'm not sure how that would stand up in court, I do know in Civil court it is not theft if something is GIVEN to someone? I'm certainly not trying to agree that anyone Should misuse this great Product that USPS supplies to us them as there seem to be better options then Good Bubble Mailers and Boxes