Very slightly over 1 lb. - first class?

[bjpack]

I have a box that, according to my scale, weighs 1 lb and 0.1 oz. It was sold with free shipping and my cost for first class is obviously quite a bit below priority. My scale is pretty accurate but will the USPS quibble over 0.1oz? Obviously just looking for opinions if you have not been in this situation. I know some of the folks at my USPS office and can ask but am guessing that they'd be bound to stick to the company line if I point it out.

Thanks.

Bruce

[bjpack]

Quick follow up... just weighed it again and now is says 1 lb on the nose. My inclination is to go with First Class as it is obviously so slightly over. Still interested in opinions just in case this comes up again in the future. Thanks.

[7606dennis · Accepted solution]

The USPS uses a system that is designed to use rates for things that weigh up to but not over the amount.  Thus anything over 13 oz (Retail) or 15.99 oz (online) would not qualify for First Class Mail rates.  The USPS will not quibble over the the slight amount of extra weight, they will simply charge you Priority Mail rates.

[7606dennis]

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@bjpack wrote:

Quick follow up... just weighed it again and now is says 1 lb on the nose. My inclination is to go with First Class as it is obviously so slightly over. Still interested in opinions just in case this comes up again in the future. Thanks.

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If the item weights 1 lb, it exceeds the 15.99 ounce weight limit and can't be sent via First Class.  You will either have to cut the weight down or use another shipping method.

[fashionandform]

if its over 16 oz then it should not go 1st class. you wouldnt want your buyer to get a 'postage due' notice on the item ( dont know if this would happen or not, i've heard of it happening though)

i try to weigh items that feel close to 16oz  b4 listing with the packet and a piece of paper that equals a shipping label.  if it is over its usually cheaper to send the priority padded flat rate envelope than parcel post.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Trim a few square inches off of the box flap.

If theAPV system decides that your package is over 1 pound, you'll end up being billed for the 2-pound Priority Mail rate.

https://link.usps.com/2017/10/05/what-is-apv/

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/ship-smart/ebay-shipping-partners/avoid-extra-postage-costs....

[johnrj1226]

@bjpack 

Before the days of the USPS APV program, had a package  returned for being  .1 of an ounce over the rate weight rate I paid for.  Thought  it was kinda' cheesy but over weight is over weight and I took the package to the PO and ponied up the extra charge.  It is the weight of the USPS scales that  determine the actual weight of your package not yours.

[johnrj1226]

One more thing your scales may not be fairly accurate but  you did get two different readings for the same package.  Plus first class package only goes up to 15.99 ounces so you are still .01 ounce too high at 16 oz.

[simba6]

It's like being a little bit pregnant.  It's only a problem if people notice.  Any unneeded packing you could take out?

[mr_lincoln]

@bjpack   If you stuffed the box with paper take it out and use bubble wrap ... if it is a box with 4 flaps top and bottom you can trim off some cardboard on the 4 small flaps (they are called "Minor flaps") top and bottom.  This type of change will be just enough to get you under the 16 oz weight ...

[martin2001]

Also recommend taking a photo of the package on the scales showing, if you can reduce the weight, the weight below 15.9. I had a similar situation. Got an email from piaretship.com that I was charged extra for exceeding the weight. Sent pirateshp.com the photo, they submitted it to USPS and USPS refunded the extra they charged me.

Also quite some time ago I 'invested' into calibrating weights so I know  mine are accurate. I also included a photo with the calibrating weights on my scales showing their accuracy.

USPS scales may not be 100% accurate, they may claim, that the package was 16 ozs but with your documentation, you will win the case.

[angwjea]

alot of times you have to take cardboard off the boxes to get the weight down or remove packaging . ive cut boxes down before and  made them smaller to ship them cheaper becouse ebay paypel are taking there cut too .  .  some people dont even use a box they will just wrap it with some cardboard even for glass bottles and ship it .   this one guy or girl did that and sent it to me and i was surprised it wasn't broken  .  the bigger the box the bigger the chance the glass bottles will  break 

[xchains]

such a problem...  The price of priority flat rate is not that much more than the 15.999 first class rate with your paid for packaging.  Sometimes I  just put little added expenses in the frame of how much worry or aggravation might this extra amount save me?  And there is the answer.

[yuzuha]

Just trim the inner flaps down a bit.  That will take off more than enough weight to put you safely back into the First Class range.

[variety_nook]

@bjpack  said: Quick follow up... just weighed it again and now is says 1 lb on the nose. My inclination is to go with First Class as it is obviously so slightly over. Still interested in opinions just in case this comes up again in the future. Thanks.

So my guess would be that your scale is not as accurate as you think it is.

I get that you're trying to save a bit ($), but  what you need to understand (as well as other shippers) is that these packages are all loaded together on a vehicle for delivery across country and eventually to the buyer.

Your package is not shipped alone. Delivery vehicles are only allowed to carry a certain amount of weight for safety reasons. That's why weight per package is taken so seriously. It has nothing to do with trying to gouge you or any other shipper.

It reminds me of an old commercial....... "That's like trying to haul 2 tons of fertilizer in a 1 ton truck", same thing. That's why weight is important that it's accurate. Not so that you can save a few pennies.

Not trying to be harsh, just saying.