Shipping Sewing Patterns
Hello everyone!
With it being 2024 now and USPS changed things, how does everyone ship sewing patterns? I'm pretty new to selling and new to selling patterns (which I have a million of!). I know they are not media mail, but can we choose First Class Large Envelope? Cheaper than using Ground Advantage, and for one or two patterns at a time, does this work? When putting in shipping for a listing for patterns, First Class Large Envelope comes up as an option so I'm ASSUMING it's ok, then but then again.......Don't want customers to be upset or for me to end up with bad ratings.
Also if this is the case, can light pieces of clothing go First Class Envelope?
There's tons of great videos and info online, but it's almost all old, before the USPS changes. Thank you in advance!
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoThat's not a reason to assume that it's OK. The USPS has very strict criteria for a piece to be eligible to be mailed as a Large Envelope (which they call a "flat"). It must be flexible, of even thickness (which USPS defines as a variation in thickness of not more than 1/4 inch), and no more than 3/4 inch thick. Most single commercial patterns and many clothing items would be eligible.
The recent changes which merged the service formerly known as "First Class package" into the service that's known as Ground Advantage had no effect on eligibility criteria for First Class letters and flats. You can see all the technical details (dimensions, etc.) here:
https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/101.htm#ep1002686
First Class letter and flat services do not include tracking, so sellers who use those services frequently would find themselves ineligible for TRS status, which requires timely tracking for at least 95% of your items. Lack of tracking also leaves a seller vulnerable to fake "Item not received" claims, but I suspect that sewing patterns are not a high-scam category.