eBay

blankauctions · ‎08-29-2019

As the above question asks and follow up questions:

Must you use a regional A or B box to get those prices or can you print out and slap it on a non-flat rate priority box?

I am seeing king items shipped for about $ 2 or 3 less which would be great. I just don’t want to get screwed in a package not arriving.

orangehound · ‎08-29-2019

@blankauctions wrote:
Yep I ordered some yesterday. I am still confused about the difference of A1, A2, B1, B2 And I didn’t find my answer on the usps webpage.

A1 and A2 are smaller and ship at the Regional A rate, which is just about the Priority Mail 2-pound rate ... you would typically benefit by using these for shipments over 2 pounds.

B1 and B2 are larger and ship at the Regional B rate, which is just about the Priority Mail 5 pound rate .... you would typically benefit by using these for shipments over 5 pounds.

Here is a diagram that compares Priority Mail prices at the commercial base rate ... if you are TRS, you would get a 3% discount on these rates.

View Best Answer in original post

whatmorefabric · ‎08-29-2019

You have to use the Post Office provided boxes.

They are for on line sellers only.

Go to USPS under free shipping supplies and you will find them.

I use a lot of the padded flat rate to ship fabric. I can get 9 yards in one of those puppies and it keeps my shipping costs down.

blankauctions · ‎08-29-2019

Yep I ordered some yesterday. I am still confused about the difference of A1, A2, B1, B2 And I didn’t find my answer on the usps webpage.

equitem-us · ‎08-29-2019

A1, A2 and B1, B2 are regional boxes, one is a side load box, the other is a top load. You should be able to see the box measurements on USPS's website. You can only use the Box A rate for A1 or A2 and Box B rat for B1 or B2.

orangehound · ‎08-29-2019

@blankauctions wrote:
Yep I ordered some yesterday. I am still confused about the difference of A1, A2, B1, B2 And I didn’t find my answer on the usps webpage.

A1 and A2 are smaller and ship at the Regional A rate, which is just about the Priority Mail 2-pound rate ... you would typically benefit by using these for shipments over 2 pounds.

B1 and B2 are larger and ship at the Regional B rate, which is just about the Priority Mail 5 pound rate .... you would typically benefit by using these for shipments over 5 pounds.

Here is a diagram that compares Priority Mail prices at the commercial base rate ... if you are TRS, you would get a 3% discount on these rates.

the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth · ‎08-29-2019

To add on, my philosophy about shipping is this.

I first try to ship in a flat rate envelope. If the item is too big, it goes into an RRA box if it fits. None of my items ship below a pound so I know they will all ship at 2 pounds or more. I don't want to worry about weighed boxes when I can use the RRA and I know it will be the same price or cheaper.

If the item cannot fit into an RRA box I use the cheaper of either a Medium Flat Rate box or an RRB. Which is cheaper will depend on the zone it's going to.

Then I have a very few outliers that go into a different box.

My items are all similar so it's easier for me to create these mental shipping rules so I don't spend all my time putting orders in boxes and weighing them

cadbury0007 · ‎08-29-2019

A short note to help clarify the use of Regional boxes in place of the standard Flat-Rate boxes. They have a weight limit of 15 pounds. The standard Flat-Rate boxes (and envelopes) can go up to 70 pounds. I use the Regional boxes all the time during the holidays for speed on the lower weight items. And, if you haven't tried them: order the Legal-Size Flat-Rate envelopes. They hold a little more than the standard envelopes. I always have some on hand.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎08-29-2019

The weight limit for the Regional A boxes is 15 pounds, and the limit for the B boxes is 20 pounds.

lja440 · ‎08-31-2019

Regional Rate pricing requires the Regional Rate boxes.

Another potential money saver is the Cubic Foot pricing.

This allows you to use zoned priority boxes or your standard brown box. NOTE You can NOT use this with either the Regional Rate boxes or Flat Rate boxes.

Some boxes will have the Cu/Ft noted on the bottom others you will need to measure for yourself.

Like the RR boxes Cu/Ft has a weight limit.

yhlml · ‎08-31-2019

don't think A and B boxes are for online sellers only. Where did you read that?

nobody*s_perfect · ‎08-31-2019

When the Regional boxes were introduced, postage was indeed available only online. However, for several years the official USPS rates publication has had a footnote about a retail surcharge for Regional rates, so clearly it's available at the retail counter.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c078

no_zero369 · ‎08-31-2019

@orangehound

Darn Dude! That is seriously some good work their and I really appreciate you sharing that table! THANKS !

I have bookmarked your post, saved the image and now will have a daily incantation to it and you!

Thanks again!

anthology-of-treasures · ‎09-01-2019

Tape up one box of each USPS box size and sit them on a shelf or other surface next to each other. Add a Post-It note on the outside with a generic name for reference if need be. Leave one end open so you can reuse the box if needed in the future. These will act as a visual guide if you lack experience. This allows you to instantly know what boxes will work when comparing rates. From long term experience you will not need to look at the boxes when comparing rates.

I didn't think I'd get that typed with Grayson sitting on my lap and going after the mouse and keyboard.