Bulging Priority Mail Box

[pinkryder123]

I shipped some glass plates, and the priority mail box was bulging slightly at the bottom because I had added extra bubble wrap. The post office worker told me that isn't allowed (he shipped it anyway). The box was sealed tightly. Is this really against the rules? Or is just telling me that? Thanks! 

[chapeau-noir]

I call it a Frankenbox.  I make them all the time for keyboard bundles and larger keyboards.

Oops! General post:  Flat rate boxes can bulge, they just can't be torn up and reconfigured, or joined together for a frankenbox.  I've sent many a large flat rate game box with a large coat or multiple items packed inside bulging all over the place...but still NOT reconfigured.

[stephenmorgan]

I could have sworn that a few years ago I read on the USPS website the term Frankenstein Box and it said it was ok to Frankenstein normal Priority products but not the Flat Rate products.

I never would have done it unless I knew for sure it was ok, and it is.

[nocoolnamejane]

Maybe they got vero’d by Universal for unauthorized use of the name Frankenstein 😆

[chapeau-noir]

---

@stephenmorgan wrote:

I could have sworn that a few years ago I read on the USPS website the term Frankenstein Box and it said it was ok to Frankenstein normal Priority products but not the Flat Rate products.

I never would have done it unless I knew for sure it was ok, and it is.

---

Yep - regular priority boxes are fine, just not the flat rate boxes as this transgresses the 'flat' in the flat rate.  I recall not thinking when I made a frankenbox out of two priority flat rate boxes - I just grabbed them and made the box, and the thing landed back onto my front stoop the next day with a "Uh...uh...uh...can't do that" sort of message hand written on the box.  Ooops - I was red faced.

[stephenmorgan]

---

@chapeau-noir wrote:

---

@stephenmorgan wrote:

I could have sworn that a few years ago I read on the USPS website the term Frankenstein Box and it said it was ok to Frankenstein normal Priority products but not the Flat Rate products.

I never would have done it unless I knew for sure it was ok, and it is.

---

Yep - regular priority boxes are fine, just not the flat rate boxes as this transgresses the 'flat' in the flat rate.  I recall not thinking when I made a frankenbox out of two priority flat rate boxes - I just grabbed them and made the box, and the thing landed back onto my front stoop the next day with a "Uh...uh...uh...can't do that" sort of message hand written on the box.  Ooops - I was red faced.

---

It's funny because there are many video's on the internet showing the Flat Rate Boxes being Frankenboxed.  But like they say, don't believe everything you see on the internet.

[chapeau-noir]

---

@stephenmorgan wrote:

---

@chapeau-noir wrote:

---

@stephenmorgan wrote:

I could have sworn that a few years ago I read on the USPS website the term Frankenstein Box and it said it was ok to Frankenstein normal Priority products but not the Flat Rate products.

I never would have done it unless I knew for sure it was ok, and it is.

---

Yep - regular priority boxes are fine, just not the flat rate boxes as this transgresses the 'flat' in the flat rate.  I recall not thinking when I made a frankenbox out of two priority flat rate boxes - I just grabbed them and made the box, and the thing landed back onto my front stoop the next day with a "Uh...uh...uh...can't do that" sort of message hand written on the box.  Ooops - I was red faced.

---

It's funny because there are many video's on the internet showing the Flat Rate Boxes being Frankenboxed.  But like they say, don't believe everything you see on the internet.

---

The internet is such a sea of rubbish, to be sure, particularly a lot of those 'expert seller' YT videos.

[johnrj1226]

In a flat rate padded envelope  you can ship a bowling ball "if it  fits".  I shipped  many denim jeans in them - usually weight 1.5 lbs some more.  No problem.  Our PO counter people are very good at knowing the  rules/regulations and most  have been there long enough to have gray hair. But they do ask questions especially when  changes  happen.  Newer employees may not be fully knowledgeable and that is understandable.  But not ever newbie or substitute employee will know all the ins & outs on day one.  Know I never did especially  at my first job fresh out of college.  But I asked questions of those folks with some gray hair and listened to them.  Same for when I  had a new position within a company..  The hardest thing to  learn in selling on line is the in and outs of buying  postage for your eBay shipments and what does that term "dimensional weight" means and  cubic/weight limitation.  Gotta' know that stuff before you list your first  item so you don't  have a "big $$" surprise.

Heck at Home Depot, Walmart, Kroger, etc it is  harder and harder to find a person that is knowledgeable any more. ACE Hardware is pretty good.

[varebelrose]

Flat rate boxes and envelopes can bulge, as long as the seal flaps connect and seal properly. Remember they even use to advertise "If it fits, it ships"? Think about it, how would a padded FR envelope *not* bulge if you put anything inside it at all....

[mikhirs]

Had to mail a tennis racket.  Watched a youtube video how to.  Needed 2 priority boxes taped together.  Only had one regular priority box the right shape & size, had to use a flat rate box that shape and size, so turned it inside out.  Of course it had priority printed all over the inside,  but figured "so this is going priority anyway".  Worked fine with postal clerk.

[pinkryder123]

I think they got there ok (haven't heard anything back from the buyer). I put foam spacers in between the plates, and separated them into a stack of 3 and 4. Then wrapped each stack in tons of bubble wrap. The bubble wrap was what was making the package bulge a little. 🙂

[pinkryder123]

I think they got there ok (haven't heard anything back from the buyer). I put foam spacers in between the plates, and separated them into 2 stacks. Then wrapped each stack in tons of bubble wrap. The bubble wrap was what was making the package bulge a little.  🙂