Sellers Selling USPS Free Shipping Packages

[cumberlandgapshop]

Have others noted how many sellers are selling USPS free flat rate packaging on eBay? They are going to cause the honest sellers from getting free supplies. Soon they will probably be charged for these materials because of dishonest sellers. I don’t think they realize it’s a felony.

On twitter Wenig has been warned, tagged, and now USPIS (United States Postal Inspectors) are NOW actively investigating these practices. If you see them, report them. They will provide you with an email to send them information. I’m working with one. We need to stomp out these users by reporting them. Since the CEO will not be compliant, I’m not sure what they will do with that? If eBay is accepting commission one would think they are guilty of allowing this to go on knowing it’s very illegal, a federal offense.

I tried to warn a couple before I reported them. Boy do they deserve what’s coming for them. One told me to **bleep** off! Okay, I tried. Go to prison. I don’t care!!

[suscharmu_0]

Hi, USPS Priority Mail Shoe Box  OSHOE  BOX  7-  1/2x5-  1 /8x14-3/8 Inch -Pack of 100  NEW: Is this what your are talking about? Gee, pretty stupid of any one to buy them. The post office will send them to you for free. Boxes & Labels I order shipped right to my door for free.  Other things also the will send you.  You did not deserve bad comments. You should "teach them a lesson".

[nobody*s_perfect]

There's a difference between listing an item versus selling an item.  That's a zero-feedback seller who hasn't actually sold any of the Priority boxes.  IMHO that's not much of a threat to anybody.

[cumberlandgapshop]

Not true. I have tons of screenshots where some have sold up to 60 of their free products. It is very illegal. I could add the investigator to this discussion who will tell you they are NOT legal.

[brucechilds05]

Postal inspectors will get them. Just keep reporting it and they will made an example of. Ebay will also be held accountable for allowing it.

[cumberlandgapshop]

Yes they will. I know that firsthand. I have a private email in which to report them to her. She stays in touch.

I’m just ticked that we are probably going to lose our free flat rate deals. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@cumberlandgapshop wrote: ... we are probably going to lose our free flat rate deals. 

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Aren't you jumping to conclusions?   The free Priority Mail materials have been misused in various ways ever since they were introduced, but the only thing USPS has ever done about it was to stop giving out the free "tape" (AKA Label 106).  Yes, selling the boxes is illegal and purchasing them is foolish, but at least if somebody purchases these boxes, they probably plan to use them for their intended shipping purpose rather than for storage, home projects, etc.

[johnrj1226]

@cumberlandgapshop

Just did  quick  sampling of my priority mail shipping items - one  box, 1096T and a Padded Flat Rate Envelope both  have the  following statement printed in blue font -

"This packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal Service and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail shipments.  Misuse maybe a violation of federal law.  The packing is not for resale."

I think this is easy language to understand  and  I wouldn't  do this - especially  resale  them but I am not a lawyer - only  have an  **bleep** in Engineering /w Bus. Ad. minor & and an MBA.   Had a couple classes in Business Law and had to buy a  big  fat book - like 4.5 " thick for both classes.

To the poster  who discovered "tons" of sold Priority mailing stuff.  I would check to see  if their is a "bounty"  for  reporting each violator,  if so turn those folks in and use that $$  for your retirement.  Do it  quickly before someone beats you to the punch. (LOL)

[greg5000]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

There's a difference between listing an item versus selling an item.  That's a zero-feedback seller who hasn't actually sold any of the Priority boxes.  IMHO that's not much of a threat to anybody.

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It's actually a threat to:

• Every Seller here, as it clogs up the listings and bandwidth, making it harder to find the honest ones.
• Everyone who is offended by illegal activity.
• eBay's Trust & Safety.
• The United States Postal Service.

[greg5000]

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@cumberlandgapshop wrote:

Not true. I have tons of screenshots where some have sold up to 60 of their free products. It is very illegal. I could add the investigator to this discussion who will tell you they are NOT legal.

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I agree and eBay needs to clean up the site. 

Having a Department called Trust & Safety is meaningless, if there is no Trust & Safety.

[greg5000]

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@cumberlandgapshop wrote:

Yes they will. I know that firsthand. I have a private email in which to report them to her. She stays in touch.

I’m just ticked that we are probably going to lose our free flat rate deals. 

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All of the money eBay has profited from these sales is ill-gotten gains and should be returned to the USPS.

Recording any of this revenue in their financials also opens up a can-of worms.

[cumberlandgapshop]

I didn’t need to. They have all the info. I just wanted to bounce this off sellers because “we” appreciate the free products USPS offers us. I think it is a total shame that the greed of some will cost “us” the use of these materials unless we PAY FOR THEM! In addition, it is unfair to sell these FREE products to buyers who have no idea they can get them free. I would be one ticked off buyer.

I do know of four charged last week. 

I am answering questions when asked by the Postal Inspectors and have agreed to monitor. I send in links once a week. Since USPS does a fantastic job for all of us to be able to do our job, I am very happy to help them out.

[ryanrobyn]

No need to buy them though- just contact usps.com for them free delivered to your home

[mvls1]

Wow!! Just did a search and it appears that one seller with over 1,000 feedback was selling them using USPS as their dropshipper and actually has sold quite a few 25 box packs. Those show as sold around July 8th. That takes    A LOT of nerve!

We all know these supplies are NOT free just as free shipping on Ebay is not free and is simply hidden in the cost of the items.  While we may not see a bill sent to us for the boxes we all get, I assure you that USPS has factored the cost of these into their operating expenses and just add the cost to all the products/services they sell. Every USPS customer is supporting the costs of these free shipping supplies. I hope USPS and Ebay put a stop to this.

[johnrj1226]

One  thing  that  stands out in this thread is  that the price point of a product doesn't  matter to some buyers.  Guess they were taught somewhere along the way to "Don't get something for free when you can just go ahead & pay for it."

It does take two to tango and that famous saying  from of P.T. Barnum the mid 19th  century is very much alive  today even though the Barnum & Bailey circus is no more.  Glad I was able to go to just one in the 50s.