Is there a "rule" for a pre paid USPS labels...On-line created labels ???

[pingpong517]

I have a story and big question.  A quick story...on my way out of town i had a package to send..i had done the ebay label the night before and was going to give it to USPS Post Office i usually use... it wasn't open at 8:30am..so i drove about two miles to the next one i knew...and figure if they were open at 8:30 -i would give it to them..otherwise maybe just wait til 9am....SO they were open ...and let  set this part up:

    My town's P.O. is about 5 mile the opposite way...so i use the small p.o. nearer, but sits in the town just across the road( about 2 miles from me, so closer )... the last p.o. i ended up that morning is about 2 miles over a bridge in a different county , but these town all are so close.

   ok so I go in because this one is open...I am the only person there..i hand it over and wait to be scanned. THIS IS THE PART IMPORTANT TO NOTE: HE gives me an attitude and says I am suppose to and can only mail this(give it to) the p.o. in the town that is MY return address. HE says it is on the "site" and all on-line created postage is the same rule... homeland security bla bla bla... ALL on-line created labels..so ebay USPS click and ship..stamps.com..etc....ALL have to be and can only be dropped( counter scanned) by the p.o. that is the return address....

   SO, my question is ( and who knows if he was 100% r i am just stupid), is this correct..has anyone heard or seen this "statement" or "condition" said to be an OFFICIAL warning or rule....when creating a label...either on USPS site, ebay or paypal..stamps.com..anywhere?

       I was a bit stunned by his attitude, OH he did say "i'll do it this one time".... ummmm did he just break the rule /law/homeland security ??? Wouldn't that mean i would need to report him ....if what HE said were true...as he said? He didn't even ask for my ID...you'd think that might have been a good idea ...at least to say ok it matches....BUT the return address? to me it's odd... because first I have used the othe P.O. near me many times since i moved to TX, and many many times before that in CT ..using different towns to drop of packages and envelopes being it was on my way to other stuff.... 

I like USPS and haven't had issues...I thought another post was being over the top when they said the USPS clerk yelled at them to stand in line...which i do think standing in line is fair...just dropping and leaving them without them giving the ok, is rude too...BUT now i see why the person was mad...the attitude towards on-line sellers maybe?

AND i get if the postage is calculated and say i end up going to another USPS making the postage wrong..BUT that's on me...refunded or charged more to my account that shows and is used... AND i thought you can use ANY P.O. to send a item... and I often use thee blue box...in different locations/towns  because they are convenient.

So has anyone heard to this "RULE" or and CONDITION that are on us - when we create a label on-line and then drop it off...

[rock.star]

When a label is created it has a originating zip code the package needs to be shipped from that Post office. You can change that zip code if need be if you are going to a different post office.
They are over doing it talking home land security nonsense.

[nobody*s_perfect]

You can mail your package at any Post Office as long as you've paid the correct postage (with the possible exception of Parcel Select).  Here's the policy, in the Domestic Mail Manual:

4.6.3 Deposit of Mail

Mailers must deposit or enter mailpieces with metered or PC Postage indicia according to the following conditions.

1. Mailers may deposit Priority Mail Express, Flat Rate Priority Mail, Priority Mail weighing one pound or less, single-piece price First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service — Retail, single-piece price Media Mail, and single-piece price Library Mail items with a metered or PC Postage indicia at any postal facility, preferably within the area of the customer‘s local Post Office. Mailers may also deposit zone-priced Priority Mail pieces at any postal facility, provided the postage affixed to each mailpiece is calculated to include the amount due as specified in 4.3.1, taking into account the weight, shape, and the zone from the ZIP Code of the office where the mailpiece is deposited to the ZIP Code of the destination address.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm#4_0

If you look closely at the label preparation form, you'll see that below your return address there is a "Shipping from" ZIP Code.  That defaults to match your return address, but can be changed if you're shipping from a PO that's a significant distance from your home, to ensure that postage is calculated correctly.  So maybe you can appease the clerk with an attitude by changing that to the ZIP Code that you're actually mailing from.

His line about security makes no sense.  You paid online, and can be tracked down through your payment method regardless of what's on the package.  Paying online makes you a "known shipper.", so you're even allowed to drop packages with online labels in the corner "blue box" with no weight limit: the 13-ounce limit only applies to pieces with postage paid in stamps.  

[penguins_dont_fly]

I just wanted to add to nobody's post:

preferably within the area of the customer‘s local Post Office. Mailers may also deposit zone-priced Priority Mail pieces at any postal facility, provided the postage affixed to each mailpiece is calculated to include the amount due

As long as the 3 digit zip prefix of the post office matches the 3 digit prefix of the "ship from" index, the calculated amount will always be the same.

If my ship from zip is 32501, I should be able to drop any zone based label off at any post office with a zip of 32500 through 32599

[myangelandmyprincess]

If you use the correct ship from zip code every one is talking about the post office gets credit for tha package.  This kind of thing I believe is used to determine things such as keeping that branch open, employees needed, etc.  

but as far as I know it isn't required to be correct and they shouldn't be refusing it 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

If you use the correct ship from zip code every one is talking about the post office gets credit for tha package....

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USPS employees have stated in other threads that the "credit" is based on the location of the acceptance scan, not on the "Shipping from" ZIP Code.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

If you use the correct ship from zip code every one is talking about the post office gets credit for tha package....

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USPS employees have stated in other threads that the "credit" is based on the location of the acceptance scan, not on the "Shipping from" ZIP Code.

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That would make more sense rather than relying on what the label itself says.  

So really the only issue would be if the zipcode its shipped from changes the cost ?

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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 ...So really the only issue would be if the zipcode its shipped from changes the cost ?

That seems to be what the DMM is saying. 

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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 ...So really the only issue would be if the zipcode its shipped from changes the cost ?

That seems to be what the DMM is saying. 

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To be contrary ...

In this age of APV, that shouldn't matter much anymore and the prefix zip rule for zone priced services should become less of an issue as APV becomes more prevalent.

I can see the "security" reasoning, though. labels with a Ship-from zip that are dropped off at a PO outside of the logical local area could be "suspicious" in this post 9/11 world that we live in 😞

But logical is the key there. If my local branch is not open on Saturday, for example, dropping it at a different branch should not be reason for concern (unless that branch is in a different zip-prefix). 

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

If it’s ok to drop a preprinted package in a random mailbox it should be fine to drop it at a random PO logically speaking.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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 ...So really the only issue would be if the zipcode its shipped from changes the cost ?

That seems to be what the DMM is saying. 

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To be contrary ...

In this age of APV, that shouldn't matter much anymore and the prefix zip rule for zone priced services should become less of an issue as APV becomes more prevalent.

I can see the "security" reasoning, though. labels with a Ship-from zip that are dropped off at a PO outside of the logical local area could be "suspicious" in this post 9/11 world that we live in 😞

But logical is the key there. If my local branch is not open on Saturday, for example, dropping it at a different branch should not be reason for concern (unless that branch is in a different zip-prefix). 

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APV doesn't catch all of them.   I had one show up postage due.  

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

If it’s ok to drop a preprinted package in a random mailbox it should be fine to drop it at a random PO logically speaking.

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I agree 🙂

If it is a First Class or Flat Rate label, it shouldn't matter if I mail it from 325xx or 891xx.

But if it zone-priced, that prefix makes a difference.

When my mother moved into her little 1 bedroom, I boxed up some stuff to send to myself ... I used my Stamps account and accidentally left my own ship from (325xx)  on the labels ... The PO in Tampa was not amused ... I had to void and redo the labels ... I did wonder why it seemed so cheap to ship Zone 3 Priority LOL ... I should have noticed, but I was distracted with all the chaos of moving 🙂

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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 ...So really the only issue would be if the zipcode its shipped from changes the cost ?

That seems to be what the DMM is saying. 

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To be contrary ...

In this age of APV, that shouldn't matter much anymore and the prefix zip rule for zone priced services should become less of an issue as APV becomes more prevalent.... 

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Probably the USPS will update the DMM if and when the APV system becomes universal and reliable.

[tiramisu41]

Not to derail the OP's thread, but I have a related question when it comes to creating/using pre-printed/online  labels from USPS...

When you go to print (at least on eBay), at the bottom of the screen it always asks what day you will be shipping.  Does it matter *to USPS* whether you really ship that day or not?   

Let's just say, for example, the OP created/printed the label with a mailing date of today, but the plonker at the PO gave the OP a hard time and wouldn't accept it.   OP won't have time to run around and drop the package off at his/her usual PO until two days later.   

Does it matter that when creating the label the OP indicated the package would be mailed two days earlier as far as the PO goes?   Or, is this "dating aspect" just something that triggers a notification to the buyer that their item has been shipped and nothing more?

Anyone know?

PS - I agree with others, as long as you send a package from a zip code that has the same first three digits as the one shown on the label as the return/sending address, you should be fine.   I was told some POs don't like customers dropping off packages at other POs other than the one printed/used as a sending/return address because then they don't get "credit" for processing the package -- the other PO the sender used instead, does.  If that is indeed the case, the grouchy worker at the alternative PO the OP chose to use, is doubly-dumb at kicking up such a fuss since his PO would have gotten credit for processing the package, NOT the one that had the same exact zip as the OP's sending/return address.  

PPS - Never, ever have heard the explanation/excuse about where you must drop off your packages based on label info has anything to do with Homeland Security issues.  OP, I think the PO worker you encountered wasn't quite sure how to handle a package such as yours, and was just making it up as he went. 

OP, if I were you, I'd keep an eye on the Tracking to make sure the package was scanned and shows movement within the system as if the guy you spoke too was that clueless, it's not out of the realm of possibility, your package is just sitting in a corner somewhere at the PO where you dropped it off...  😞

[hwa_59]

I have the same experience once,when I tried  to drop off some packages in a post office in another town,they told me they would do it once.

But then I also go to that post office to ship USPS priority intl guarantee,they welcome such business and ask me t o come more often,instead of printing label on line,I should use their counter?

The truth is USPS priority intl guarantee ,yu must ship from designated post office and it is turned over to Fed Exp and the Fed Exp driver only come to  designated post office in the afternoon to pick up the packages,they are then routed to their intl headquarter in memphis ,TN and then overseas.

They would not guarantee delivery if you go to any post office as the Fed Exp driver would not go there,so there is a one day delay as it is turned over to a sort facility and then turned over to Fed Exp 

BACK to the OP's problem,most postal clerks do not even pay attention to your ship from or return address,esp if there is a long line.