USPS PRIORITY BOX RETURNED

[stupid9758]

Hello,

I sent out an item in a priority mail box with a first class shipping label. It got sent back to me after returning from Florida. I decided to go back to the post office with the PRIORITY MAIL taped off with no visible signs of it anywhere. The clerk said they cannot take it because it's not the right box. I do not have any other boxes laying around and have a very tight schedule. My problem is:

1. Why would they accept it when it's clearly right box, have it sent to florida and back for NO REASON.

2. I've sent another item before, same process and it shipped fine. 

3. It's just a box at that point.

Thoughts?

[pingpong517]

well...it is red white and blue...and did you cover it with paper or something to hide that?

and first class is up to 16oz on ebay label...was it a bit heavier...then it would n't be first class....

And it does say the boxes aren't suppose to be use other than what they are for..BUT some USPS are less strick too....  

I'd have to see  what it looked like or know more...or you just got a true "postal" worker on that day.....

hard to say, but i'd get some plain boxes if that can be an issue....or brown packing tape...or duck tape...something to really cover it....

[stupid9758]

Hi everyone (and anyone who decides to read this): I'm very sorry and will not be doing it again. Money was an issue and probably caused me to think that this would work. I was trying to reuse a box, but didn't understand why it wouldn't work for me, now I do! I will look for other alternatives to shipping. Thank you for dropping a comment in this train wreck.  Thank you kindly.

[stupid9758]

Hello! I've learned my lesson and will not be trying to cover anything or anything like that. Thank you for the suggestion, but I would look into why it shouldn't be done. Thank you!

[pingpong517]

well you're not suppose to...but it has been done and some are less critical as long as it is really wrapped and covered...BUt yes it does say that too on the boxes...so it isn't the first option here....
and i gotta say the USPS person must have been really tough...i still wonder about the weight too....oh well....she learned...get some plain ones!..pasta boxes work too!

[pingpong517]

OH and it's only 13oz for first class when you go to post office ...so i think it was the weight more that the "type" of box.....

[stupid9758]

Will do! Finding boxes for shoes or a larger item can be a bit hard however, I'll simply have to save up to purchase a set of them. 

[buyselljack2016]

Seems OP printed a label.

If it was done at the Post Office it would not (certainly should not) have happened.

And not a tough USPS employee. 1st class label does not make it on a Priority box.

I have ben fortunate on some things I have received.  Small 'flat rate box' label on a plain box.   Things that clearly weigh too much. 

[stupid9758]

Correct! I did not pay at the post office for shipping because I wasn't sure if the machines there were safe and since this was being shipped to someone who bought online, it would've been safer (to me) to complete the shipping transaction online.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@stupid9758 wrote:

Will do! Finding boxes for shoes or a larger item can be a bit hard however, I'll simply have to save up to purchase a set of them. 

If your larger items weigh over 1 lb, they can't be shipped First Class, no matter what box you use 😞

First Class Packages, if you purchase postage over the counter, can only weigh 13 ounces. If you purchase your postage online (through eBay or other vendor) they can weigh up to 15.999 ounces.

Anything over that needs to go Priority or Parcel Select/Parcel Ground.

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[stupid9758]

The FIRST time i went to the post office, a worker came out from the back and asked if anyone had anything to drop off or pick up. Taking a shortcut and avoiding the long line, i complied, which i found out was a mistake. However, while I was tracking the shipping, it said it had not been accepted at the post office yet, yet still sent to Florida and back?!

[stupid9758]

Greetings! My item was about 9 ounces, thank you for informing me!

[buyselljack2016]

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@stupid9758 wrote:

Correct! I did not pay at the post office for shipping because I wasn't sure if the machines there were safe and since this was being shipped to someone who bought online, it would've been safer (to me) to complete the shipping transaction online.

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Don't understand the "safe" part of that. It is USPS when shipping from the Post Office, or printing a label online.  At the post office you will be provided with a receipt with the tracking #. If it is a small office they will provide you with a stub with the  # from the sticker that they put on the package .They scan it, and away it goes.  Only diference with a purchase at the post office is that you need to go to the listing to manually enter the tracking #.

[penguins_dont_fly]

"About" 9 ounces?

Until you understand what shipping methods are best, and how it works ... 

Get a scale.

Weigh your item, in the box you will use for shipping with packing materials.

Put the EXACT weight and size of the box into the listing.

Use Calculated Shipping in the listing

Select "First Class Package" for items under 1 lb.

Select Priority Mail for items 1 lb and up.

The calculator will charge your buyers the correct postage based on weight and distance.

When you print your labels, verify weight and size before printing.

Priority boxes can only be used for priority mail, but Priority Mail does not require a Priority box. 

Flat Rate Boxes (they say "Flat Rate") can only be used for Flat Rate Priority shipping. They are rarely a deal, unless shipping something really heavy across country.

There are free Priority Boxes that are NOT flat rate. You can order them online at USPS.com.

Stick to weight and size calculated until you get the hang of what works.

[stupid9758]

I'm paranoid about the contraption that you swipe the credit card in, credit card reader? I seem to be checking if someone mysteriously placed their own credit card reader on top of the post office's even when I'm not the one using it. 

[stupid9758]

Hello! I'll look for a scale I can use to weigh my items before shipping. Thank you for replying.