USPS returning all Standard Envelope packages

[moneymaster2011]

Yesterday the USPS rejected 26 standard envelope packages (all #10 envelope size) despite not only being 100% packaged correctly, weighed and paid correctly PLUS I added a small sticker saying " Plus 46 cents Non Machinable Surcharge" and the 46 cents postage in stamps to every single one.  Did that to stop the returns.  They were stamped "Additional Postage Due."   Some of them are 100 % flexible and didn't even need the 46 cents but they returned that too.  They are out of control and my local sub station cannot give me any reason for this.  I need HELP.  What to do next?

[chevymontecarlo88]

Is it possible that someone saw the sticker that those envelopes were marked with "Plus 46 cents Non Machinable Surgcharge" and thought they lacked the extra charge because of the sticker? Try sending one without the sticker.

[1786davycrockett]

@moneymaster2011 

Stop using the sticker (?) that reads "Plus 46 cents Non Machinable Surcharge."

There is actually a special "non-machinable" stamp, which can be purchased ONLY at the USPS counters.  You will need to purchase and affix those stamps BEFORE mailing your eBay Standard Envelopes.

Are your #10 envelopes flexible enough?  You should be able to bend them nearly in half, so that they will pass swiftly through the automatic, high-speed USPS roller systems.

[biggymoe]

Have you used this method previously and they went through fine?  If so, I don't know what changed.

I would guess the "Plus 46 cents" sticker could be part of the problem.

Using an ESE label, and adding postage stamps, is definitely a problem.  My local clerks have told me that you can't do that.  Not sure why, maybe a different system reads the two different postage types differently.

[bdmh-enterprises]

I will concur, ESE are NOT meant to be used if it's not machinable. Putting a sticker on it saying as such is 100% why they get returned. Adding more postage doesn't matter. Understand that the way these work you only pay if they get scanned and ebay only gets charged by the USPS if they get scanned. They don't get scanned if they don't get machined. I occasionally get away with sending one with too many cards and it still goes, but calling attention to 20+ that won't get billed properly isn't going to fly.

I assume you're talking about the coins? What makes you think they're non machinable in the first place? They're supposed to be allowed. I only have experience with cards, but off the bat I wonder if a #10 isn't too big. Uniform thickness is an important qualifier. Do you secure the coin in the envelope so it's not sliding around?

[simba6]

Postal employees are often the last to know or understand their own rules.   They are clueless about the  " Plus 46 cents Non Machinable Surcharge"  Other sellers have had that happen too.

[robbie31415]

You shouldn't be adding stickers like that.

That seems pretty darn suspect.

Also, ESE is designed for machinable mail, even though they have a stamp it's still not designed for it.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@1786davycrockett wrote: ... There is actually a special "non-machinable" stamp, which can be purchased ONLY at the USPS counters.  You will need to purchase and affix those stamps BEFORE mailing your eBay Standard Envelopes.

Are your #10 envelopes flexible enough?  ...

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Nonmachinable envelopes are by definition not eligible for ESE.

[goodnu9]

I was a letter carrier for 19 years and trust me, there's a lot of idiots working for USPS. Many don't care, it's only a job. A clerk told me when I complained about my envelopes coming back that machine operators will use "Judgement Calls" when dealing with ESUS tracking envelopes. No measurement/weight devices but touching/feeling it. So here's someone who comes in still wasted from the night before, on drugs, **bleep** off at the world, marital/family problems and judging your envelopes as if they were GOD! 🤣

If I get any envelopes back tied in an elastic band with only the top envelope marked "Needs 46 cents", I'll reprint that label and mail them out the next day w/o changing a thing. Guess what? They show a scan!