eBay

e-cheddar · ‎08-30-2017

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?

pooh333piglet · ‎08-31-2017

How about using the triangle boxes and use whatver you need to add for a 2nd triangle box? Save the leftovers for the next time you have to do this again. I used to do that for long tubes that had wall decor.

buyselljack2016 · ‎08-31-2017

The USPS triangle boxes sometimes need inner support for a "coast to coast" ride. Load them in an orange Priority sack with a few square boxes, load the cage with more sacks, and 70lb boxes in a rolling mail cage, and the results are not pretty.

Unless the "special handling fragile" fee is paid, "fragile" packages are only treated as "fragile" until they leave the local Post Office.

dtexley3 · ‎08-31-2017

@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.

Hit up your local florist shop, they receive flowers in long thin boxes. Easy to cut down to size.

Member of the Grumpy Old Man crew

the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth · ‎08-31-2017

If you're covering something up shouldn't that tell you that you are doing something you shouldn't?

With the new shipping cost system I think more post offices will be catching mispaid boxes when they get to the buyer's PO. It's not going to be pleasant for people who chronically refuse to follow the rules and underpay.

rixstuff · ‎08-31-2017

I have added two together to get a larger box but usually I just leave them as is and stuff the extra space with peanuts or wads of paper.

pantlandia · ‎08-31-2017

@e-cheddar wrote:
@pantlandia wrote:
@e-cheddar wrote:
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?
They aren't supposed to return them. They ARE supposed to charge you regular priority rates based on weight and zone. Neither one is going to be ideal for your customer, so why do it?

See above responses.

Above responses to what?

I'm not sure if you are debating what I'm saying (which you shouldn't be because it's clearly spelled out by the USPS) or if you are agreeing with me (which you should because it's clearly spelled out by the USPS).

If an FRE or FRB is presented at the office of mailing and the customer has manipulated or reconstructed it, the container is accepted using weight and zone — not the Flat Rate price. A customer is not required to repackage an item unless the contents are fragile and would be at risk of damage during processing and transit.

Meaning they are going to change it from flat rate, to regular priority and charge the zone and weight rates. If this happens, your customer could potentially get a fairly large postage due notice.

slati_2013 · ‎08-31-2017

It used to be like that in the past, however with the new technology being used, a flat rate box must have the correct flat rate on the box or you will be charged if the postage is not enough, or worse, your buyer will have to pay the extra postage and that will get you a negative.

pooh333piglet · ‎08-31-2017

I thought buyers will no longer get postage due when a printed shipping label is used? Now the shipper will just get charged.

automotivepartsrecyclrs · ‎08-31-2017

And bar codes

sg51 · ‎08-31-2017

If an FRE or FRB is presented at the office of mailing and the customer has manipulated or reconstructed it, the container is accepted using weight and zone — not the Flat Rate price.

Seems the post office agrees with posters to this thread, rather than you.

The USPS interprets this as meaning "the higher of the flat rate price or the weight price".

When they nail your package, you lose.

Why fight? Use a non-FR priority box, or use you own box.

sg51 · ‎08-31-2017

I buy rolls of of brown wrapping paper (looks like brown paper bag) and cover a large FR box. I would think you'd be able to cover your makeshift box with this paper as well.

Use a Large FRB, you have to pay Large FRB price.

sg51 · ‎08-31-2017

the item i have to do this with is about 17" x 4" x 2" long and skinny

You can construct an arbitrarily long frankenbox out of #4's, the 6" cubes. Just stack them up, and but strappling tape up the long way on all 4 sides. Then clear tape around them at the joints.

I stock plain brown 4x4x6" boxes, which weigh about 1.5 oz. They're useful for a whole lot of things, and they also make good frankenboxes. Buy 100, they're cheap.

994john · ‎09-02-2017

@e-cheddar wrote:
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?

All you will elicit from posting your details here is criticism from the PC crowd who think that the sky is falling. On them!

My advice: don't worry about what others think.

I trust that you are intelligent enough to use the Priority supplies in an appropriate manner to get your mission accomplished.

e-cheddar · ‎09-04-2017

@pooh333piglet wrote:
I thought buyers will no longer get postage due when a printed shipping label is used? Now the shipper will just get charged.

that's not what their own policy states as posted early on .... the post office is supposed to go by the size/weight of the package and charge accordingly if a flat rate box is modified. No postage should be due nor should hte package be refused or returned.

e-cheddar · ‎09-04-2017

@sg51 wrote:
If an FRE or FRB is presented at the office of mailing and the customer has manipulated or reconstructed it, the container is accepted using weight and zone — not the Flat Rate price.

Seems the post office agrees with posters to this thread, rather than you.

The USPS interprets this as meaning "the higher of the flat rate price or the weight price".

When they nail your package, you lose.

Why fight? Use a non-FR priority box, or use you own box.

i find it bizzare that you post the policy which directly contradicts what posters here THINK it should mean...the one post office that agrees with the posters here agrees with lots of mistakes, as described earlier on.

the post office actually DISAGREES with most posters here...i just don't see how the post office policy can be interpreted any other way.

if the policy made sense, that would be one thing....but to make me order special packaging (more than I need) because the boxes readily available at the post office state 'flat rate' on them makes no sense...it's not exactly a cost-saving practice to force that process...why exactly do they care? Actually they don't....one post office does....other post office will tell you flat rate envelopes have to be FLAT....do you just stop using flat rate envelopes because of the incompetence at one post office?

Seems more like a clique-based discussion board rather than a fact-based discussion board....