09-26-2020 08:15 PM
Do i have to purchase a flat rate box to mail out magazines online first or can I get one from a usps location.. or can I make a box within there size parameters?
BASICALLY I'm trying to ship magazines securely and protected and cheaply lol.. any suggestions...
Thank you for helping
09-26-2020 08:30 PM
@oddnin You can make a box any size you want and use Calculated shipping on your listings then select either First Class, Parcel Select or Priority Mail depending on the weight, value, etc.
The USPS Flat Rate boxes are a fixed price regardless of how far it goes within the lower 48 states ... Calculated can vary whereby Buyers closer to you will pay less than those on the opposite side of the country ...
09-26-2020 08:31 PM
Depending on the size and the number that your are shipping together there are flat rate envelopes and boxes from USPS and they are free. Or you can put them in padded sleeves with a cardboard backing and have calculated shipping. Media mail is the least expensive way to ship them, but with the slow service for even Priority mail, may not be an option for you or your buyers.
I hope you do your due diligence and find the appropriate way that will work for you and your customers.
Here is to your upcoming sales!
Grandma
09-26-2020 08:54 PM
Magazines are not eligible to be mailed via Media Mail.
09-26-2020 08:56 PM
You can use any box you like to mail your magazines. If you want to ship at the flat rate, you must use one of the boxes produced by USPS specifically for the flat rate; you can't just use another box with the same dimensions. If your Post Office doesn't have them, you can order them for free at usps.com.
Often, the regular USPS rates for Priority Mail (based on weight and distance) are cheaper than the flat rate boxes, especially for nearby buyers.
09-26-2020 08:57 PM
@mr_lincoln The Priority Mail flat rate boxes are the same price to any ZIP Code, including not only the "lower 48" states, but also Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and territories such as Guam.
09-26-2020 08:59 PM
Oops. My bad. Thank you for correcting that.
Grandma