Something Nice You Can Do For Your Post Office

[tamaralea]

I stopped by my Post Office to ask for a padded envelope.  The postal worker told me they only get them if customers bring them in, as they are unable to order.  I told her if she could find one, I would bring her a package of them.  Guess what?  She found one for me.  Think about sharing next time you order your boxes/envelopes.  

[bigdeals.etc]

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@tamaralea wrote:

I stopped by my Post Office to ask for a padded envelope.  The postal worker told me they only get them if customers bring them in, as they are unable to order.  I told her if she could find one, I would bring her a package of them.  Guess what?  She found one for me.  Think about sharing next time you order your boxes/envelopes.  

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You're talking about the Priority Flat Rate Paddeds, right? Yea, I think it's just policy that they don't carry those in the branches, along with some other packaging (I think Regional Rate boxes too). But they always take in packaging that a customer "doesn't need anymore". And those just sit there until people take them... they don't get sent back to their source.

You can always order these online and have them deliver to you for free. Just always order more than you need and tell your mail carrier to keep a pallet or two from your order then.

[buyselljack2016]

They do not have them in stock as they can not order them through their normal procurement channels, because "USPS higher up" does not want them to be available.   I really do not understand the "padded flat rate" not being at the PO's as they are allowed to have the other "flat rate" products.

They do not want other Priority packaging to be available as that takes away from pushing the "flat rate" which in many cases cost more. ( when lighter items are sent)

Having more Priority packaging would also take away sales of the other "retail packaging" that is stocked.

A local area office always stock almost every possible Priority packaging by sourcing outside normal channels, but that practice has ceased.  If the accept any non "flat rate" excess stock from a customer it is not displayed/accessible to the customer.

[nodr-45]

There is a local PO that has supplied me with a regional box in a pinch on more than one occasion. I always return and bring them 5 boxes for the 1 they gave me.

[nkpina2014]

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@tamaralea wrote:

I stopped by my Post Office to ask for a padded envelope.  The postal worker told me they only get them if customers bring them in, as they are unable to order.  I told her if she could find one, I would bring her a package of them.  Guess what?  She found one for me.  Think about sharing next time you order your boxes/envelopes.  

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There's a PLETHORA of FREE POSTAGE SUPPLIES you can order on USPS website. Poster tubes? Done. Padded flat rate envelopes? Done. Extra flat rate boxes? Done. Seriously, get them. Get multiple sizes. You never know when you'll need a different sized box for flat rate, and it can save you a good chunk of money. USPS will deliver them free straight up to your door.

There's 2 different medium sized flat rate boxes available. Most people don't know that.

One is a "standard" box shape, about 7"x7"x5"

The other is a long rectangular box shape about 3" high, 8" wide, and 14 long. It's great for fitting long/flat items.

Also, if you aren't using PayPal or Ebay to print your postage labels, you are losing money. Printed labels save at least 10% on postage costs for me. If you are serious about selling, invest in a digital postal scale, reliable inkjet printer, and black ink (can be knock-off ink, doesn't have to be branded). PayPal/Ebay postage rivals that of the paid services (like Stamps.com) and they are FREE. You'd be a fool not to use them.

I spend about $2,000 per month on postage. It's a big savings every month.

I'd like to get on the e-packet rate, but I don't live in China. But that's a topic for another time...

[div_style]

I order 100 PFREs about once a month and always leave about half with the PO.  They keep them behind the counter because if left out they disappear immediately.