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? 

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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@postingid2017 wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

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@rock.star wrote:
Flat rate boxs can only be used with flat rate shipping and cannot be modified.

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that's not correct.  

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.

you got a helpful vote above so obviously a lot of people don't know this, including my local post office! lol

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If the above was true, then your pkg's would not have been returned.  Abuse/Misuse is part of the reason for the increases in prices, the availability of tape.  When the boxes are no longer free, then maybe you might realize the cost involved that innocent shippers would have to bear.

and @rock.star I just gave him/her their 3rd helpful 😉

weird how the incorrect answers get helpfuls around here! lol

the above IS true...i got it directly from USPS website and it's from 2016 ...understand that is more costly for the post office to have me order 10 boxes delivered to my door by a mail lady with back problems already...the reason some have been returned is because that post office doesn't understand it's own policies (very common).

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Do you have a link?

[e-cheddar]

don't we get in trouble for links around here?

ive been away awhile....

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Just remember that it is the RECEIVING PO that determines if the postage is correct.  They are the folks who collect postage due or, more recently, bill the sender for short-paid online postage.

Personally, I seldom use any of the FRB's because they are too small.  However, for small but heavy items -- 3 lbs. and up --destined for Zones 7 and 8, the medium FRB costs less than any weight-based box.

I do use an occasional Regional A box, which is about the same size as a medium FRB but costs much less to mail.  My favorite weight-based boxes are the No. 7, the Medium Mailing Box ("shirt" box) and the "shoe" box.  I would never dream of cutting down a box -- I simply use a different box or add extra (free) stuffing.

~~C~~

[pantlandia]

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@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? 

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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?

[e-cheddar]

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.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

don't we get in trouble for links around here?

ive been away awhile....

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You can provide a link to the USPS site 

[e-cheddar]

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@pantlandia wrote:

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@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? 

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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?

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See above responses.

[e-cheddar]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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@e-cheddar wrote:

don't we get in trouble for links around here?

ive been away awhile....

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You can provide a link to the USPS site 

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

[e-cheddar]

unrelated, but what the?:

Q. What if a skillet is packed in an FRB and the handle sticks out?

A. A small bump-out of the box is okay, but if the handle actually sticks out of the box or the box is reconfigured to accommodate the skillet, it cannot be considered as a FRB.

seriously, USPS?

[gracieallen01]

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@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? 

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Personally, I figure, instead of coming here to find a consensus that has no value in this situation, you should probably see if you can work things out with the post office/postmaster that is returning the items to you.

Why in the world would you think that anybody on the board would be able to gainsay the manager of that post office?  That would be more a matter of going up the ladder of their superiors.

[muttlymob]

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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.

[gracieallen01]

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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.

[e-cheddar]

really just trying to find out if there was some exception or something i was misinterpreting that  i wasn't aware of before I start hassling the postmaster or manager or whatever at this post office...like maybe the cited policy only applies if you interact directly with a postal clerk or who knows what?

[e-cheddar]

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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.

[gracieallen01]

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@e-cheddar wrote:

really just trying to find out if there was some exception or something i was misinterpreting that  i wasn't aware of before I start hassling the postmaster or manager or whatever at this post office...like maybe the cited policy only applies if you interact directly with a postal clerk or who knows what?

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I was just thinking that you should probably go to the source, say their website and the FAQ page or follow their contact information.  Perhaps there is a knowledgeable person on the other end, unlike some places.

Have you looked at their listings of supplies that they ship out, free, lately?  Might try it.  Personal opinion - UPS, meh.