Returned by USPS--help?

[chrmed]

Took my package to a Office Max store, which is an authorized USPS site, at least here.  The lady gave me a flat envelope, I put the package in and taped the shipping label to the front.  The envelope was later returned by USPS saying "Customer-when using USPS Priority Mailers. The are provided for free for priority use only.  Priority rates apply"  and there is a stamp that says "Returned for an additoinal postage of $4.04".  So...what does this mean?  I had no idea it was a special envelope, I just used what she gaveme.  I had already packed up the item and I just put it in.  Can I remove the mailing slip from the flat envelope, and attach it to another envelope?  Or is that no longer usable?  Plus, the tracking now says "in transit."  No idea what to do now.  Help!

[couldabeenworse]

Your Office Max screwed up, and yes your must ship by Priority Mail if you use Priority Mail supplies.  Since it was returned for additional postage, you should be able to take it just as it is to your post office, pay the $4.04, and have it go out.  This will probably generate a new tracking number, which you should send to the buyer.

The other option would be to get a new regular non-PM envelope, repack the items in that (without the Priority Mail envelope) and pay to ship it First Class again.  You cannot re-use the orginal postage.

Good luck...

[lja440]

Office Max screwed up. Priority mailers are for Priority only. 

The only way to salvage the postage already on the envelope is to go to your POST OFFICE and pay the shortage. Otherwise it is used and can not be transfered to another package.

Oh and you might want to let Office Max know that they need to run some training.

[chrmed · Accepted solution]

Want to thank everyone for their help! I went to the post office today, turns out the original mailing slip still worked fine. The lady at the post office said they're actually not supposed to return it anymore, they're just supposed to deliver and send a bill for (in this case) the $4.04. She just took it, scanned it and gave me a receipt. I'll be curious to see how or if the tracking works on this...