eBay

justforfun6 · ‎03-19-2022

I have sold for nearly 20 years. I appreciate the USPS supplying us free boxes and other materials. I also shop on ebay. Lately I am finding seasoned sellers using the USPS padded flat rate envelopes as padding inside first class packaging. I find this disturbing as in the end we as consumers we will be forced to bear the cost in higher rates, along with the fact it is a fraudulent use of government property. Initially when they started suppling us with free shipping materials they gave us tape. People promptly ordered it for personal usage, so we no longer have the use of free priority tape. People turned the boxes inside out so they could use them without having to ship priority. Now they print the inside of the boxes to prevent that. The postal service gives us a discount on shipping prices by shipping through ebay. We should not be taking advantage of that by basically stealing from their kindness. Times are difficult but that is not a reason to deliberately misuse products. When someone has over 30,000 feedback the excuse cannot be made they were unaware of this usage. Let`s keep ebay a respectable business.

winterpalace25 · ‎03-19-2022

Me too.

winterpalace25 · ‎03-19-2022

Oh, man, that's a shame because I heard the post office is discontinuing the large game boxes. Perhaps someone would do a local pickup if you mentioned it on Facebook or Freecycle.

blingfling123 · ‎03-19-2022

@iart

"I don't care how many sellers try to justify this, it is theft. And, along with not paying taxes, is another way some sellers are able to undercut other sellers who actually pay for their shipping material."

And the same people that justify doing it are also the same people that go ballistic when they are scammed or get a return.

The amount of people that get upset about being "ripped off" but have no issues ripping off other people and spending their money to save themselves a buck is staggering.

winterpalace25 · ‎03-19-2022

This discussion is not about 2nd chance use or recycling packing materials. It is about people taking brand new, unused Priority flat rate bubble mailers and using them for interior padding. I once got about 20 mailers in an ebay package used in this way. My post office was glad to have some of them. And for those who think it's not a big deal, think again when the Post Office quits providing them for free.

wrong66 · ‎03-19-2022

I paid the USPS over $5,000 in shipping fees last year, nearly all of it Priority Mail. Although I've never used padded Priority envelopes for interior packing, if I saw the need I wouldn't think twice about using them. To me, this is simply a non-issue. If it was that big of a deal, USPS wouldn't still be giving them away. That's just me and I don't intend to get in a back and forth argument about it.

a_c_green · ‎03-19-2022

@winterpalace25 wrote:
And for those who think it's not a big deal, think again when the Post Office quits providing them for free.

If you recall, within just the past month or two, there was a scare when the USPS labeled them as "Discontinued" and took them off the website. eCommerceBytes had an article on their disappearance. The USPS eventually restored them to the free shipping supplies list a week or so later.

simply-the-best-for-you · ‎03-19-2022

@wrong66 wrote:
I paid the USPS over $5,000 in shipping fees last year, nearly all of it Priority Mail. Although I've never used padded Priority envelopes for interior packing, if I saw the need I wouldn't think twice about using them. To me, this is simply a non-issue. If it was that big of a deal, USPS wouldn't still be giving them away. That's just me and I don't intend to get in a back and forth argument about it.

Not only that, but USPS counter people frequently suggest using them. It's like before the boxes were printed on the inside & certain people were up in arms about people using them for non-PM mailing. Can't count the number of times USPS counter people got one themselves, turned it inside out & handed it to the customer to use. This is just not something USPS actually cares about & I just don't worry too much about what other people do. It's not my fight. If USPS has an issue with it, they should start with their own counter employees LOL. I can't imagine getting so worked up over it.

This one goes to Eleven - Nigel Tufnel

Simply-the-best-for-you Volunteer Community Mentor
eBay Seller since 1996

farmalljr · ‎03-20-2022

@simply-the-best-for-you wrote:
@wrong66 wrote:
I paid the USPS over $5,000 in shipping fees last year, nearly all of it Priority Mail. Although I've never used padded Priority envelopes for interior packing, if I saw the need I wouldn't think twice about using them. To me, this is simply a non-issue. If it was that big of a deal, USPS wouldn't still be giving them away. That's just me and I don't intend to get in a back and forth argument about it.
Not only that, but USPS counter people frequently suggest using them. It's like before the boxes were printed on the inside & certain people were up in arms about people using them for non-PM mailing. Can't count the number of times USPS counter people got one themselves, turned it inside out & handed it to the customer to use. This is just not something USPS actually cares about & I just don't worry too much about what other people do. It's not my fight. If USPS has an issue with it, they should start with their own counter employees LOL. I can't imagine getting so worked up over it.

If it were not a "big deal", it would not be a crime to use Priority/express products in a manner other than priority/express shipments. But, it IS illegal to use them for anything, other than.

There are plenty of people who under report their real incomes too. That's illegal as well. Many of them say "no big deal" too. And when they get caught, fined, and jailed, they scream "this isn't fair!"

I spend over $500 a week in fuel, April to October. That does not entitle me to taking pop and snacks from the gas station for free. Likewise, just because I spend over 10K a year with USPS, that doesn't entitle me to take anything I am not entitled to.

At the end of the day, it's not legal or proper to use ANY USPS supplies in any manner, other than what they say.

espresso_warehouse · ‎03-20-2022

@farmalljr wrote:
@simply-the-best-for-you wrote:
@wrong66 wrote:
I paid the USPS over $5,000 in shipping fees last year, nearly all of it Priority Mail. Although I've never used padded Priority envelopes for interior packing, if I saw the need I wouldn't think twice about using them. To me, this is simply a non-issue. If it was that big of a deal, USPS wouldn't still be giving them away. That's just me and I don't intend to get in a back and forth argument about it.
Not only that, but USPS counter people frequently suggest using them. It's like before the boxes were printed on the inside & certain people were up in arms about people using them for non-PM mailing. Can't count the number of times USPS counter people got one themselves, turned it inside out & handed it to the customer to use. This is just not something USPS actually cares about & I just don't worry too much about what other people do. It's not my fight. If USPS has an issue with it, they should start with their own counter employees LOL. I can't imagine getting so worked up over it.
If it were not a "big deal", it would not be a crime to use Priority/express products in a manner other than priority/express shipments. But, it IS illegal to use them for anything, other than.

I think it's a civil issue, not a crime. You can be fined for misusing the packaging to whatever degree you misused it. Violations of law are not the same things as crimes.

You'd be subject to the same enforcement as trying to send out something with the wrong postage. They will fine you for the usage.

Of course, if you have anything to link to any criminal charges brought against someone for misusing a priority envelope that would be one way of backing that criminal claim. Seems unlikely to me.

farmalljr · ‎03-20-2022

Directly from USPS's website:

Can I Use Boxes Ordered at The Postal Store® for Other Purposes?

Boxes ordered from the Postal Store can be used only for the class of mail specified on the box (Priority Mail Express® service, Priority Mail® service, or Global Express Guaranteed®) and must be closed using the adhesive provided. These boxes should not be re-used and do not need to be as they can be ordered from the Postal Store at no cost. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

Note: Priority Mail Flat Rate® Boxes can be used both domestically and internationally. The DVD Flat Rate box and the Large Video Flat Rate box are only available at a flat rate when used internationally.

The terms of Agreement for the use of United States Postal Service shipping supplies is as follows: I understand that Priority Mail Express service, Priority Mail service, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

It's in the same vein as knocking mailboxes off their posts. It's USPS property, even though you may have bought the mailbox and mounted it, damaging a mailbox is in violation of federal law.

Yes, they may fine you for misuse of supplies, but you can also go to prison for it too.

espresso_warehouse · ‎03-20-2022

@farmalljr wrote:
Directly from USPS's website:

Can I Use Boxes Ordered at The Postal Store® for Other Purposes?
Boxes ordered from the Postal Store can be used only for the class of mail specified on the box (Priority Mail Express® service, Priority Mail® service, or Global Express Guaranteed®) and must be closed using the adhesive provided. These boxes should not be re-used and do not need to be as they can be ordered from the Postal Store at no cost. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.
Note: Priority Mail Flat Rate® Boxes can be used both domestically and internationally. The DVD Flat Rate box and the Large Video Flat Rate box are only available at a flat rate when used internationally.
The terms of Agreement for the use of United States Postal Service shipping supplies is as follows: I understand that Priority Mail Express service, Priority Mail service, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

It's in the same vein as knocking mailboxes off their posts. It's USPS property, even though you may have bought the mailbox and mounted it, damaging a mailbox is in violation of federal law.
Yes, they may fine you for misuse of supplies, but you can also go to prison for it too.

Violation of law ≠ CRIME.

If you have evidence of someone going to prison for using a USPS envelope as filler, present it. Sounds absurd.

I corrected you on the crime claim. If you can't back it up, there may be a reason for that.

farmalljr · ‎03-20-2022

@espresso_warehouse wrote:
@farmalljr wrote:
Directly from USPS's website:

Can I Use Boxes Ordered at The Postal Store® for Other Purposes?
Boxes ordered from the Postal Store can be used only for the class of mail specified on the box (Priority Mail Express® service, Priority Mail® service, or Global Express Guaranteed®) and must be closed using the adhesive provided. These boxes should not be re-used and do not need to be as they can be ordered from the Postal Store at no cost. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.
Note: Priority Mail Flat Rate® Boxes can be used both domestically and internationally. The DVD Flat Rate box and the Large Video Flat Rate box are only available at a flat rate when used internationally.
The terms of Agreement for the use of United States Postal Service shipping supplies is as follows: I understand that Priority Mail Express service, Priority Mail service, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

It's in the same vein as knocking mailboxes off their posts. It's USPS property, even though you may have bought the mailbox and mounted it, damaging a mailbox is in violation of federal law.
Yes, they may fine you for misuse of supplies, but you can also go to prison for it too.
Violation of law ≠ CRIME.

If you have evidence of someone going to prison for using a USPS envelope as filler, present it. Sounds absurd.

I corrected you on the crime claim. If you can't back it up, there may be a reason for that.

Whoever steals, purloins, or embezzles any property used by the Postal
Service, or appropriates any such property to his own or any other than its
proper use, or conveys away any such property to the hindrance or detriment
of the public service, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than three years, or both; but if the value of such property does not
exceed $1,000, he shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more
than one year, or both."--18 U.S.C. sect. 1707.

The Domestic Mail Manual, which is part of the CFR by incorporation, also
specifies that any mail sent in Priority Mail packaging, no matter how
altered, is subject to Priority Mail rates. DMM E120.1.4

You asked, I did the work FOR you. Now that I have provided you the accurate information, get off your high horse and stop being rude and argumentative. It is not just a FINE you may face for misuse, it can also be jail time.

I am NOT going to dig further to see how many people have been imprisoned for it. It's YOUR turn to actually do some research. There are some people, like me, who come here to help people. I don't come here to argue and belittle people, like you have done to me. I merely point out it's a CRIME to misuse postal supplies.

I pointed out also, that damaging mailboxes is a federal crime. It says it on every mailbox. Most people don't know anyone who ever went to jail for damaging mailboxes. I do, two people as a matter of fact. Both got 6 months in jail. Postal supplies also are marked for specific use only. While I don't know anyone who went to jail for misuse, that doesn't mean no one has or will. Misuse is illegal, as in a crime.

Hopefully this information helps the new seller avoid a mistake or the "seasoned" seller change their ways.

wrong66 · ‎03-20-2022

"What are you in for?".

"Armed robbery. How about you?".

"I used padded Priority envelopes for packing".

"Wow!".

Get real people. Seriously. Worry less about what everyone else MIGHT be doing.

espresso_warehouse · ‎03-20-2022

@farmalljr wrote:
@espresso_warehouse wrote:
@farmalljr wrote:
Directly from USPS's website:

Can I Use Boxes Ordered at The Postal Store® for Other Purposes?
Boxes ordered from the Postal Store can be used only for the class of mail specified on the box (Priority Mail Express® service, Priority Mail® service, or Global Express Guaranteed®) and must be closed using the adhesive provided. These boxes should not be re-used and do not need to be as they can be ordered from the Postal Store at no cost. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.
Note: Priority Mail Flat Rate® Boxes can be used both domestically and internationally. The DVD Flat Rate box and the Large Video Flat Rate box are only available at a flat rate when used internationally.
The terms of Agreement for the use of United States Postal Service shipping supplies is as follows: I understand that Priority Mail Express service, Priority Mail service, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

It's in the same vein as knocking mailboxes off their posts. It's USPS property, even though you may have bought the mailbox and mounted it, damaging a mailbox is in violation of federal law.
Yes, they may fine you for misuse of supplies, but you can also go to prison for it too.
Violation of law ≠ CRIME.

If you have evidence of someone going to prison for using a USPS envelope as filler, present it. Sounds absurd.

I corrected you on the crime claim. If you can't back it up, there may be a reason for that.

Hopefully this information helps the new seller avoid a mistake or the "seasoned" seller change their ways.

Damaging mailboxes is vandalism. It is a crime. It has zero to do with picking up free packaging and using it incorrectly. It's not considered stealing. It's literally FREE.

Of course, if you have a case to present as precedent, do so. Otherwise this is yet another big time claim with zero evidence.

wrong66 · ‎03-20-2022

I can't help but imagine how many people are currently imprisoned for tearing those tags off of a mattress, which is a clear violation of Federal law. That's all I think about anymore, wondering who might be doing this. I think I'll post about it on the Mattress Forum.