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?

retrose1 · ‎08-31-2017

@e-cheddar wrote:
@gracieallen01 wrote:
@muttlymob wrote:
@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.
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.
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.
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.

I am having a hard time figuring which PFRB would suit your needs that you would have to modify, when using 2 short triangles/or even one long one would be better with less modification.

(*Bleep*)

e-cheddar · ‎08-31-2017

@retrose1 wrote:
@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...

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.

actually, it's much more sturdy when I trim it to fit this product...hard to explain but that's the way it works.

e-cheddar · ‎08-31-2017

@retrose1 wrote:
@e-cheddar wrote:
@gracieallen01 wrote:
@muttlymob wrote:
@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.
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.
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.
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.
I am having a hard time figuring which PFRB would suit your needs that you would have to modify, when using 2 short triangles/or even one long one would be better with less modification.

the triangular tubes are too big inside and I'd have to add bubble wrap or some other landfill materials. more work, more money, not so great.

buyselljack2016 · ‎08-31-2017

@retrose1 wrote:
@e-cheddar wrote:
@gracieallen01 wrote:
@muttlymob wrote:
@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.
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.
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.
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.
I am having a hard time figuring which PFRB would suit your needs that you would have to modify, when using 2 short triangles/or even one long one would be better with less modification.

Sounds like the Large Flat Rate Game box. 24 inches long.

e-cheddar · ‎08-31-2017

@retrose1 wrote:
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.

i don't believe this to be the case...i only have problems with this type of packaging when it goes to the one post office...the scanners along the way don't seem to pick up on my modified FRBs when I drop them off at the other post office....besides, the bar codes are usually obliterated when I'm done cutting the box up for my application.

omgitlightsup · ‎08-31-2017

@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?

Write to your congressman, get the country to spend our tax money more wisely, raise wages, and give USPS and private employers an incentive to hire people who are smarter.

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

The issue is not that a "flat rate" box can only be used for flat rate postage, it's that people used to take "priority mail" boxes and put first-class postage on them to get a free box instead of paying a few bucks for the ones they sell at the post office. Postal employees got it in their heads that "any misuse of packaging" is against the rules. A flat rate priority box is still a priority box, and it's OK to use it for priority mail even if you change its shape a little.

The problem is that the rules are a giant heavy book with a lot of words in it, and they're super busy at the post office and don't have time to look it up.

What I used to do is make prior arrangements with the local postmaster and arrive at a specific time so that my packages would get checked in properly. Once they're put into the system it's highly unlikely that they'll be returned to you.

e-cheddar · ‎08-31-2017

@buyselljack2016 wrote:
@retrose1 wrote:
@e-cheddar wrote:
@gracieallen01 wrote:
@muttlymob wrote:
@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.
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.
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.
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.
I am having a hard time figuring which PFRB would suit your needs that you would have to modify, when using 2 short triangles/or even one long one would be better with less modification.
Sounds like the Large Flat Rate Game box. 24 inches long.

waaaaaaay too big.

z50com · ‎08-31-2017

I have cut down Game Boxes (large flat rate) to a smaller size.

I cover all the Large Flat Rate writing with Priority Mail Stickers.

Never had a problem. . .

buyselljack2016 · ‎08-31-2017

I expect that sometime in the near future the DMM statement about "flat rate" packaging modification postage charges will be clarified. The USPS statement is not clear enough. It does seem to allow for individual interpertation.

The way it is presently written does allow for it to be what some may consider, "misrepresenting" the intent of the policy.

I would expect that the "policy" is to deter the use of flat rate boxes for other than flat rate, but the policy statement is not clear enough. I have no doubt that the USPS intent was as stated by another poster, to pay "flat rate", or weight/distance charges selecting the higher rate. I highly doubt that the intent of that DMM statement was to allow the "flat rate" boxes to be modified, and sent at a lower rate. "Regional Rate C" box rate was discontinued, and those boxes go by weight/distance/size/shape rates.

Post Offices generally only stock the "flat rate" variety of boxes for a reason. That being to "upsell", charging as much as they can get for the service. Last I knew(4+ years ago) there was only 1 non-flat rate Priority box that the offices could order through supply channels to be stocked for customer use. (1092 shirt box style) They have other retail boxes available for you to buy. Those boxes can be sent by whatever service class desired. ( as long as the contents meet that class)

z50com · ‎08-31-2017

Can you really put 70 lbs in a Medium Flat Rate Box?

You can if you strengthen up the box.

First I glue the bottom flaps of the box when I fold the box.

Then I cut a square the same size as the bottom of the box, I glue it in place with Elmer's wood glue on the inside.

Then I cut 4 pieces big enough to go into the corners, I fold them and glue them in place

I pack the item and glue the top flaps shut.

I tape all around the package in all directions (tape is cheap)

This box is now ready for the USPS and it can drop 4 feet without any damage!

Glue & cardboard are my best packing friends. . .

retrose1 · ‎08-31-2017

@e-cheddar wrote:
@retrose1 wrote:
@e-cheddar wrote:
@gracieallen01 wrote:
@muttlymob wrote:
@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.
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.
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.
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.
I am having a hard time figuring which PFRB would suit your needs that you would have to modify, when using 2 short triangles/or even one long one would be better with less modification.
the triangular tubes are too big inside and I'd have to add bubble wrap or some other landfill materials. more work, more money, not so great.

I have a suggestion so you can use the triangle boxes.

Have you ever seen a mans hat in a hatbox? The brim rests on a seperate piece of cardboard that holds it in place, that cardboard is held in place by a tube piece that the hat rests in. I use a varation ofhat to ship a lot of my breakables.

I cut a piece or two, sometimes three, support pieces that fit the inside of the box with a few edges bent up so I can tape it into place and then cut a hole in the center that the item can fit into and then tape the supports into place. I have shipped ceramic vases, lampshades, glassware, hats, just about anything that can be crushed or damaged by getting banged around in the box that way. The item is locked into place and needs very little bubble wrap, I usually use crumpled newspaper as filler, and have never lost an item.

The triangle end closures would be perfect for support pieces and you could slide two boxes together and tape them down and ship, no flopping.

(*Bleep*)

automotivepartsrecyclrs · ‎08-31-2017

Cover up the "Flat Rate" name on the boxes.

fern*wood · ‎08-31-2017

@klassic*kids wrote:
I rarely use a box -- I am a clothes seller and 95% of my items go in poly bags. -- however, occasionally I do sell something like a winter boot. For these cases 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. Check out your local dollar store for the paper -- sometimes they have it, sometimes they don't -- but when they do have it I stock up!

I actually have a children's halloween costume with a huge wingspan that I haven't list yet becaue I have no idea how I will ship it. It is much wider than a large FR box. I might have to reconstruct some boxes as well -- apprehensive on how to go about this,

It is never recommended to wrap packages (flat rate or otherwise) in that brown paper. Reports of that getting caught in machinery and torn off is one big problem, covering up an incorrect box is another. Some employees will remove the paper to check the box if it looks like the wrong postage is affixed.