modifying flat rate boxes

[e-cheddar]

Occasionally I have to cut up a USPS flat rate box to modify it for a product I sell.  I print a label using the weight and size of the item, using Priority Mail rate, NOT the flat rate that would apply had the package not been altered.

I have one post office (out of two) repeatedly return packages like this.

Any ideas on how to get them to follow their own procedures? 

[gracieallen01]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@muttlymob wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

the item i have to do this with is about 17" x 4" x 2" long and skinny, so I don't have a choice of existing PM boxes (nor even used boxes).  seems i've tried their mailing tubes/triangles before and they weren't long enough...it's a very odd-shapped item to find packaging for.

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There are 2 sizes of free Priority triangular/tube boxes available.  One is 25 inches long, 6 inches/side.  The other is 37 inches long and 6x5x5 inches.

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Yep, the post office has had the triangular Priority boxes for over 10 years.  Pick them up at the post office or order them online - here, one can have them left off at the post office and the seller can go pick them up - saves on the carrier's bad back.

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i'll have to look at them again...seems i had a reason they werent appropriate for these items but I cant remember why...already don't like that it seems like this product could flop around too much in that size triangle but i'll check again.

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Bubble wrap each end and middle - well, depending on item.

[e-cheddar]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@muttlymob wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

the item i have to do this with is about 17" x 4" x 2" long and skinny, so I don't have a choice of existing PM boxes (nor even used boxes).  seems i've tried their mailing tubes/triangles before and they weren't long enough...it's a very odd-shapped item to find packaging for.

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There are 2 sizes of free Priority triangular/tube boxes available.  One is 25 inches long, 6 inches/side.  The other is 37 inches long and 6x5x5 inches.

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Yep, the post office has had the triangular Priority boxes for over 10 years.  Pick them up at the post office or order them online - here, one can have them left off at the post office and the seller can go pick them up - saves on the carrier's bad back.

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i'll have to look at them again...seems i had a reason they werent appropriate for these items but I cant remember why...already don't like that it seems like this product could flop around too much in that size triangle but i'll check again.

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Bubble wrap each end and middle - well, depending on item

Money wasted and im done having huge rolls of bubble wrap around.

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[gracieallen01]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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Bubble wrap each end and middle - well, depending on item

Money wasted and im done having huge rolls of bubble wrap around.

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That, I can't help with - that's a personal issue. 

[e-cheddar]

ive spoken to the the postmaster specifc to this office and she's really rude...they have gotten other things wrong as well at this post office....there was a time (maybe still) where they had a smallish priority box (really it's a blur at this point..i think it was like a very rigid envelope), but it could also be used for First Class International...i'd get those returned as well...not great for the various venues that track your package and mess with your metrics when something goes awry.

[e-cheddar]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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Bubble wrap each end and middle - well, depending on item

Money wasted and im done having huge rolls of bubble wrap around.

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That, I can't help with - that's a personal issue. 

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I know, right?  But seriously, I am just using up my last batch of bubble wrap as i was using it regularly awhile back but found a better way with the product i was using it for.  it got more expensive too when rates started taking into account volume when shipping rolls of it.  and often, i'd get something ready to ship out to a buyer and think, "i'll just use a few sheets of bubblewrap to fill that void" and i'd end up using 100 feet of it!

[gracieallen01]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

ive spoken to the the postmaster specifc to this office and she's really rude...they have gotten other things wrong as well at this post office....there was a time (maybe still) where they had a smallish priority box (really it's a blur at this point..i think it was like a very rigid envelope), but it could also be used for First Class International...i'd get those returned as well...not great for the various venues that track your package and mess with your metrics when something goes awry.

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Quite frankly, there are times and situations when you just plain have to bite the bullet and use something that you have to pay for.

If you metrics mean that much and you have that many - that is one of those times.  You want it there safe and intact - that might be another. 

You have to decide your priorities.

[gracieallen01]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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I know, right?  But seriously, I am just using up my last batch of bubble wrap as i was using it regularly awhile back but found a better way with the product i was using it for.  it got more expensive too when rates started taking into account volume when shipping rolls of it.  and often, i'd get something ready to ship out to a buyer and think, "i'll just use a few sheets of bubblewrap to fill that void" and i'd end up using 100 feet of it!

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Well, it is 'easy for me to say', so to speak.  I've always shipped in boxes and I do 'antiques', so the prices I get are a bit more than you appear to.  I still pick them up new, but wholesale and I've got a supply of various sizes, including Priority (never seems to fail that I don't have 'just that size' box, though).

You have to do what works for you, however, I learned a long time ago that it isn't wise to, ah, 'upset' the local postal workers.  I have a much younger cousin that is a shop steward and she can be '**** on wheels, in overdrive'!  (Cookies at Christmas works wonders, though)

[e-cheddar]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

ive spoken to the the postmaster specifc to this office and she's really rude...they have gotten other things wrong as well at this post office....there was a time (maybe still) where they had a smallish priority box (really it's a blur at this point..i think it was like a very rigid envelope), but it could also be used for First Class International...i'd get those returned as well...not great for the various venues that track your package and mess with your metrics when something goes awry.

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Quite frankly, there are times and situations when you just plain have to bite the bullet and use something that you have to pay for.

If you metrics mean that much and you have that many - that is one of those times.  You want it there safe and intact - that might be another. 

You have to decide your priorities.

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my metrics are fairly safe, even when they send something back...i usually offer economy shipping for these but actually USE priority shipping so if/when they do come back i just run up to the other post office and off it goes without a hitch...i just occasionally forget and give it to the wrong post office...last time it happened, i went up to the post office and had a worthless encounter with the rude postmaster...she was at a counter in the retail area thumbing through some cards or something...i started to talk to her and she just glares at me, to let me know she was in the middle of something and i was disturbing her counting or whatever...it's a blur now but she ended up telling me to hold on a minute and she takes these cards or whatever and disappears behind some door and doesn't come back for at least 5 minutes so i left.  im ready to escalate it but like i said, wanted to make sure i wasn't missing something...a lot of people seem to think you can't cut the box up at all but this product really does better in tight-fitting packaging as it is somewhat flexible and should be kept stable and flat until the buyer gets it.

[buyselljack2016]

I cut boxes often for a better fit. Beneficial to me as it reduces weight. Beneficial to USPS as less space is used on the aircraft that they pay for space on, but I never modify a "flat rate" container.

[div_style]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

Do you have a link?

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https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22435/html/updt_002.htm

Edit:

Sorry, I see this has already been provided.

[gracieallen01]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

I cut boxes often for a better fit. Beneficial to me as it reduces weight. Beneficial to USPS as less space is used on the aircraft that they pay for space on, but I never modify a "flat rate" container.

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It has been more than once that I've taken 2 - 12x8x8 and made a 16 or 18  tall Priority 'box'.  Never had a problem joining two, so I'm not sure what the real problem is with cutting one down.

However, cutting one down does tend to raise their hackles - some people have no sense of humor, is all I can say. 

[gracieallen01]

8x12x12 - oh well, whichever way.  Yeah! Dyslexics of the world, untie!

[disneyshopper]

There's a triangular mailing tube that is 25 x 6 x 6 x 5-7/8 that will probably work for you.  I use this size a lot with my other selling account.  They come in a pack of 10 or 20 that you can order from USPS.COM.

[retrose1]

OP, you are going to be seeing a lot more returns and late deliveries now that the PO has their sort center scanners set up.

The Priority boxes have a barcode and that bar code is scanned into the system along with the address/ship cost bar code along with package size and weight and the scanners match them up and if they do not match, the system will kick the package out.

While the free Priority boxes are nice, the FR ones are supposed to be used for FR and you should either use a different Priority box or start buyng your own to save yourself a lot of time when you pack your merchandise to ship.

[retrose1]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

again, used boxes are not as strong as a new box, and most used boxes don't seem as strong even when they were new when compared to the quality of priority boxes...Amazon boxes are particularly flimsy and rarely arrived undamaged.

priority boxes are there for free for us to use...if you prefer used boxes, go for it. Like i said, I don't have that many used boxes around here and im not going begging at grocery stores when I can get priority boxes for free from the post office....i had 25 items to ship a few weeks back--did not have 25 used boxes sitting around...i save used boxes for sure in a pinch, but I just don't have that many of the correct size and I don't have the space to save every possible size of used boxes...

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A chopped up Priority box leaves just as bad an impression because it's chopped up and now is less sturdy as a slightly used box.   There is no difference between a used regual box and a 'modified' Priority box, which looks used.

And when i get a chopped up Prioity box, my first thought is postage rip off.