PROPER USE OF FLAT RATE CONTAINERS

[goodcooksneverlackfriends]

Yesterday I took a package to the local post office for shipment.  I use the Ebay shipping labels, package was weighed and measured and proper postage was attached.  I used two medium flat rate boxes and put them end to end...in other words they were sealed on one end and open on the other.  When I took the package to the post office I was told it could be returned.  I have been shipping priority mail for YEARS...and in altering boxes have always paid the actual weight and distance shipping.  Last night I went to the USPS website and pullled up the POSTAL BULLETIN ISSUE 22435 DATED 2/18/2016.  It states:

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.

This is FYI...I will keep a copy of this bulletin in my purse from now on just in case this happens again.

[centrepawn]

Your information is correct. The potential problem lies with many clerks not familiar with the all the rules and all the updated rules - as was demonstrated by your own clerks.

I won't do it because it could move out of your P.O. then move to another P.O. and still be returned, then you have a hassle and potential late delivery.

[missjen831]

Why don’t you just use the materials correctly to begin with? I guess I don’t understand why anyone thinks they can do what you did in the first place? You can’t connect multiple FR mailers and still be charged the flat rate. 

[centrepawn]

Because they can do it in the first place, it's about frankensteining a box to get it the size needed. It was weighed and sent regular Priority. No one is trying to get flat rate price with a modified box.

[hawgryders]

---

wrote:

Yesterday I took a package to the local post office for shipment.  I use the Ebay shipping labels, package was weighed and measured and proper postage was attached.  I used two medium flat rate boxes and put them end to end...in other words they were sealed on one end and open on the other.  When I took the package to the post office I was told it could be returned.  I have been shipping priority mail for YEARS...and in altering boxes have always paid the actual weight and distance shipping.  Last night I went to the USPS website and pullled up the POSTAL BULLETIN ISSUE 22435 DATED 2/18/2016.  It states:

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.

This is FYI...I will keep a copy of this bulletin in my purse from now on just in case this happens again.

---

Your clerk was simply giving you a heads up --- it is possible that another USPS employee could have the package flagged for misuse of USPS branded boxes

The regulations you are quoting are intended to make sure end users know that the FRB boxes must retain their original shape --- must be able to close & seal as designed

They are not meant to be used in any other fashion --- not as inner boxes, not as packing, not turned inside out, & most certainly not taped together to fit something much bigger

You need another size then buy it --- stop misusing taxpayer funded supplies ...

[oaklandmaryland]

Why don't you just to to uses.com and order some flat rate game board boxes. The shipping cost to mail is $18.90 - cheaper than 2 mediums taped together Few people are aware that the game board boxes even exist. While you're at it order the padded priority envelopes as post offices don't stock them for the public.

[oaklandmaryland]

Sorry about the typo - should say order boxes at usps.com.

[fern*wood]

I've put two boxes together to ship something in, but I would never use flat rate boxes no matter what that rule stated.  There are plenty of options in similar sizes that aren't flat rate.

[missjen831]

---

wrote:
Because they can do it in the first place, it's about frankensteining a box to get it the size needed. It was weighed and sent regular Priority. No one is trying to get flat rate price with a modified box.

---

Well no the rules don’t really say they can do it. But my point was, why not save yourself the hassle? It’s pretty foolish if it’s an ebay sale IMO. Arming yourself with the USPS regulations isn’t going to save you from having the parcel returned for postage due. (It is still happening, just saw it happen to a seller on another venue who manipulated a flat rate envelope so much that it looked like a barrel! And she was fuming mad thinking the PO returned it to her because she bought the label on 1/20 under the old rates and took it to the PO on 1/22, the day after rates went up). So why misuse priority materials and a)risk late delivery and get your shipping metrics dinged & end up with an unhappy buyer and b)why risk an argument with the PO clerks who may try to refuse the package when you drop it off?  

[myangelandmyprincess · Accepted solution]

Here is my take on what that policy means.    They don't want the flat rate boxes used in this way.  They aren't supposed to be used in this way even.  But if a customer comes in with one done that way they won't make them repackage it they'll just charge the item by weight.  

[fern*wood]

---

wrote:

Here is my take on what that policy means.    They don't want the flat rate boxes used in this way.  They aren't supposed to be used in this way even.  But if a customer comes in with one done that way they won't make them repackage it they'll just charge the item by weight.  

---

That's how I read it too.  It doesn't state anything about that being perfectly okay, but they are just addressing what to do if someone does this.  Notice also, that content is written to USPS employees and not consumers.

[goodcooksneverlackfriends]

Also should add that my post office was out of the priority non flat rate box that would have worked...

[goodcooksneverlackfriends]

My post office doesn’t always have the non flat rate boxes...

[goodcooksneverlackfriends]

That is true! The post office didn’t have the large non flat rate box that I could have used. Maybe that is why they make allowances for this.

[goodcooksneverlackfriends]

How is shipping priority in priority boxes misusing them?