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?

[stupid9758]

Ps. In no way am i trying to be rude,  just confused. 

[rock.star]

Priority boxes can be used for priority mail only .

Taping over the words doesn't change that .

[takikawa4 · Accepted solution]

My thoughts are that using a Priority box for first class shipping is against the rules even if you tape off the words "Priority". Having done this before and NOT getting caught doesn't make it okay. You're actually lucky the buyer didn't get a postage due notice.

Perhaps no one noticed until arrival in Florida that you shorted the postage. And, no, it's not JUST a box. In the future use an appropriate box with appropriate postage. You can buy boxes online. Your schedule is irrelevant.

[missjen831]

---

@2015usbonnn wrote:

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?

---

It was clearly NOT the right box.  What made you think you could PAY for first class postage and ship in a PRIORITY box? I don't know why you think it was clearly the right box? It was a priority box whether the word priority was visible or not. You cannot use any label other than a priority label when using those boxes. Period. You cannot take a piece of tape or a marker & hide the word "priority" on those boxes and then ship them using another class of mail. You can't wrap the box in paper and ship it using another class of mail and you can't turn the box inside out either. You are lucky it wasn't delivered to the buyer with postage due! 

[johnrj1226]

Hints: 

1.  Take a look at the printing on the inside  of a Priority Mail Box

2.  Plus the following printed statement is provided on  all Priority boxes & envelopes.
"This packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal Service and is provided solely for use in sendinding Priority Mail.  Misuse maybe a violation of fedral law."   

3.  If you wish to be successful in selling on line - it is a good idea to  have shipping  supplies on hand to ship whatever you  plan to sell.  This will save you time in the long run - like going back again to the PO to reship a package the right way. 

4.  Bet your buyer is wonder what is going on.

[knode89]

That one time should not have happened or you should have been charged additional postage for it.  All USPS Priority Mail packaging you get for free from the post office are limited to Priority ONLY.  You have to go out and purchase your own packing materials for first class or media mail rates.  Just blocking off the words or reusing an old Priority Mail box is not allowed and they can actually charge the person you are sending the item to the difference in price before they are allowed to pick it up.

[fern*wood]

If you are pressed for time and don't have any other boxes available other the a Priority one, then simply buy the correct postage for the box you are using.   They are provided free only for the correct method of shipping---not a cheaper form.

Why do you claim it was clearly the right box -- just because your item fit? 

[lja440]

I'm a mail carrier as well as an eBayer. 

Short paid postage is the same as shoplifting except with shoplifting it is a local offence not a federal offence. 

I have several Short Paid packages I have to collect for each week. IT IS A PITA. Ruins my delivery time as well as the customers day.

Not only is the facts printed on the Priority mailers but you can also find referances about short paying postage within the TOS of all the venues that sell on-line postage. Like this one:

Homepage Call: 1-800-576-3279

Supplies StoreAbout Us

Search

USPS Policy Regarding Insufficient and Unpaid Postage

The U.S. Postal Service® has identified a serious issue with insufficient postage being applied to packages using PC Postage. Insufficient postage results from not applying enough postage to the mail piece and is usually the result of incorrect weight or package dimensions. Occasionally, insufficient or unpaid postage is the result of counterfeiting, replicating, duplicating, or otherwise modifying PC Postage labels or indicia.

The Postal Service is increasing their efforts to identify insufficient and unpaid postage accounts and to recover lost revenue. Please be aware that:

1. Mailing an item with insufficient or unpaid postage may result in your items being delivered with postage due or being returned to the shipper.
2. Insufficient or unpaid postage may be deducted from your postage account.
3. An account with a negative balance that is not resolved within 10 days notification to you may be suspended, upon request by the USPS, from further activity until the deficit is resolved.
4. Significant quantities of insufficient or unpaid postage items will be referred to the United States Postal Inspection Service® for possible criminal investigation.

To ensure timely delivery of your items, customers are reminded not to short-pay, duplicate, replicate, or otherwise modify PC Postage indicia or labels and to ensure the weight of the item matches the weight claimed.

United States Postal Service, U.S. Postal Service, USPS, PC Postage, The Postal Service, and United States Postal Inspection Service are among the many trademarks of the United States Postal Service. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

And this after USPS estimates that it lost 600 million due to short paid postage. https://uspsoig.gov/blog/revenue-protection

[stupid9758]

Greetings, I apologize for not teaching myself or looking it up. I didn't know about the consequences until now, I apologize. I appreciate the answer and will use a proper box or pay for the priority box. Many thanks.

[stupid9758]

Hi! I am very tight on money and I apologize for not teaching myself or looking it up. This is all new to me and I thought if i paid more than the box provided, it would work. Many thanks.

[stupid9758]

Greetings, I apologize for not teaching myself or looking it up. I didn't know about the consequences until now, I apologize. I appreciate the answer and will use a proper box or pay for the priority box. Thank you for replying. Many thanks.

[stupid9758]

Greetings, I apologize for not teaching myself or looking it up. I didn't know about the consequences until now, I apologize. I appreciate the answer and will use a proper box or pay for the priority box. Many thanks, thank you for replying.

[stupid9758]

Greetings, I thought if I had paid more than the package suggested, it would work. I apologize for not teaching myself or looking it up. I didn't know about the consequences until now, I apologize. I appreciate the answer and will use a proper box or pay for the priority box. Many thanks.

[stupid9758]

Greetings, I left the package with one of the workers in hopes that they would scan it, they didn't, yet shipped it. I apologize for not teaching myself or looking it up. I didn't know about the consequences until now, I apologize. I appreciate the answer and will use a proper box or pay for the priority box. Many thanks.