glassperson
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posted on February 25, 2001 04:54:02 PM new
Ok, got my new shipment of #7 boxes. They are NOT coated, do not have the pick-up number imprinted, and the instructions are bi-lingual. A plus that they are lighter, a non-plus that they are NOt waterproofed. Anyone else notice this? In the scheme of life, this problem does not fit on a head of a pin! Unlike so many of these posts. Sigh.
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 25, 2001 05:01:47 PM new
Yes. They may be lighter, but I don't like them. They feel if they did get any moisture on them, they'd fall apart. And this is what we get for higher Priority rates....
I use a lot of Priority tape (sides etc.)
and clear tape.
And the video boxes, woaw, I really like to tape those up, I feel like they are going to fall apart.
[email protected]
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glassperson
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posted on February 25, 2001 05:16:34 PM new
Yep! And I am using more priority tape than ever! I hope the rest of you notice the chocolate smell to that tape! Last Year, I was told that I was bonkers for smelling that! What happens when our priority boxes meet a rainstorm? Hmmm? Now scotch tape over the label seems to be a priority.
SHOSH! old friend, I need your advice about Moss Rose dinnerware!
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Meya
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posted on February 25, 2001 05:27:19 PM new
I'm waiting on some boxes, I guess I'll see then if I get the new cheaper versions.
Ohhh, Moss Rose! My mom collects that. Pretty stuff. 
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postcardman
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posted on February 25, 2001 05:39:52 PM new
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that the Free Priority Mail Tape is a giant pain in the ass to use? I don't know how or why the Post Office managed to bid out the tape contract for Tape that snarls, doesn't cut well in the tape gun, and just plain doesn't work like standard clear tape gun tape, but it sure seems like an inferior product to me, also on the boxes, it seems to me that a great deal of the time they are off square when I make them up, making it difficult to bring the flaps together squarely when sealing, amongst the problems this causes is that the box looses a huge percentage of its stability and strength when the surfaces don't mate squarely. Why is it that the Post Office screws things up that are as basic as boxes and tape? Do they have a big official USPS manual titled: How to do things stupidly and badly in order to piss off the largest number of people possible!
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lucky3bonnie
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posted on February 25, 2001 05:41:06 PM new
I also received some of those uncoated boxes. I sell fabric and have been putting the item inside a colored scented plastic bag to protect it from moisture and cigarrette smoke. I bought some fabric a while back and the box had a bad cigarrette smell. The fabric was sealed inside plastic, so it was O.K. That mailman must have been a heavy smoker. The plastic bags are cheap and some of my customers have commented on how they appreciated the extra effort to protect their merchandise.
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jwoodcrafts
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posted on February 25, 2001 05:49:53 PM new
I got my first shipment of the cheaper boxes awhile back.
My first reaction to them was "Gosh, they are raising the rates and lowing the quality"
http://www.geocities.com/sandcastless/crafts.html
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chum
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posted on February 25, 2001 06:08:33 PM new
I took my cases to the recycle dump since I ship all parcel post. The only thing I use is the shipping lables, and I cut the top that says "priority mail" off.
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gboy
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posted on February 25, 2001 06:29:43 PM new
postcardman,
My tape gun cuts the tape very easily. Maybe your tape gun is inferior?
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sierrastar-07
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posted on February 25, 2001 06:47:40 PM new
"The only thing I use is the shipping lables, and I cut the top that says "priority mail" off."
It's misuse like the above statement that ruins it for the rest of us.
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chum
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posted on February 25, 2001 06:58:30 PM new
Well if you think for one second that using mailing labels for parcel post would have prevented the rate hike you are sadly informed. Tell you what lets ask them to lower the rates if they elimate the junk boxes they give out. I have heard so many excuses for them raising the rates. One of my best friends is a postmaster, and look for another hike in 2002. The facts are:
1. Their boxes are made from recycled paper they get for free.
2. They own the company that produces the boxes.
3. To ship the boxes to you is FREE
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airguy
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posted on February 25, 2001 07:26:20 PM new
the tape that the post office provides is not to be used to seal boxes for shipping, it does not even meet their minimum mil thickness per postal regulations for packing tape. Per the Post Office it is to be used to mark a package as priority mail only. However I do use it seal my packages and it has never been a problem.
if you order the #7 boxes, or any size box for that matter except for the self sealing small boxes, by the pallet they all come as printed cardboard, they don't transport this stuff in open trucks so I really don't know why it would be a problem with them not being slick. I've had more problems with tape not sticking well to the slick boxes than the cardboard but it's a box i'm not buying so i'll use what i can get.
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sg52
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posted on February 25, 2001 08:51:14 PM new
Re: Priority tape.
The stuff is thin, which is the source of complaints. It twists and folds easily.
However.
The glue is incredible. It sticks to anything and everything forever. The tape itself breaks before the glue gives out. The glue makes the thinness of the tape seem even worse. The slightest mistake becomes permanently glued.
The tape itself, while thin, is of high quality. It can be broken/torn, but it's not easy.
Just use more. Don't worry about perfection. Come to love the stuff, after all, it's free.
sg52
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ashlandtrader
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posted on February 25, 2001 09:02:14 PM new
Re; post office tape
Several months back someone (kid probably) busted the tail light on our car. Being thrifty we knew we had to find something that we could use to fix it. Priority mail tape saved the day.
I know, I know... this is not what it is meant for, but it worked until we were able to get it fixed correctly.
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digitalmaster
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posted on February 25, 2001 09:43:43 PM new
I'd be careful of using postal boxes inside out or cutting labels and altering them in any way. At my old post office a lot of people were doing that and I recieved a notice in my PO box that explained that it was illeagle and in fact a felony! I never risked it because of that. I would not want to go to prison so I could save 15 cents on a package.
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susiew62
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posted on February 25, 2001 10:41:59 PM new
I had to buy a box to send something ups as requested by buyer. The box cost me nearly $5.00 at Mail Boxes Etc. I could have used a similar sized Priority Mail box for free if she was willing to pay just a bit more for the shipping. Her loss anyway.....she was willing to pay for the box, but not for an extra $1.75 (roughly) for the shipping.....strange.
BTW, I have noticed the chocolate smell to the tape! I like it, but I find that when I am packaging a bunch of boxes up.....I start craving chocolate! ha ha ha!
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kckckc
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posted on February 25, 2001 10:42:46 PM new
GLASSPERSON - I totally think it smells like chocolate! My sister thought I was crazy, standing there saying "It smells like.....like.........like..... CHOCOLATE!" I am glad it is not just me!
[ edited by kckckc on Feb 25, 2001 10:43 PM ]
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tapatti
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posted on February 25, 2001 11:32:58 PM new
postcardman:
We switched tape guns and it's been great ever since. Just swapped our clear tape guns with the Priority tape gun.
The Priority tape is now on a 3M Brand H 180
Model 29200 Tape Gun. It has a spring loaded metal tension bar that holds the tape down on the roller. Clear tape is on the 3M HB903
Model 19100 Tape Gun. This one has a fixed tension bar which always used to catch the Priority tape and get it all gummed up.
[ edited by tapatti on Feb 25, 2001 11:33 PM ]
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sun818
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posted on February 26, 2001 01:21:37 AM new
Anyone know where you can purchase quality mailing tape in bulk? I like the smaller sized roll of the Scotch mailing tape, but it does get expensive @ $2.50 a pop.
And, yes, the tape does smell like chocolate. As Homer Simpson would say.... "Mhmmmmh, chhhoocolate!"
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ksrob
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posted on February 26, 2001 02:47:40 AM new
I think the reason rates are going up, and quality is going down is because of the past abuse of the supplies.
Boxes, as everyone knows, are not cheap. Especially color-imprinted ones. Combine that with the tape, labels, etc. And you start talking about serious money.
I'm glad to see the USPS is starting to crack down on people who abuse the supplies. It's about time.
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lovepotions
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posted on February 26, 2001 03:15:15 AM new
*sniffs tape*
hmmm yeah I never noticed it before lol
With the new card board boxes with the self sealing tabs I noticed that those tabs no not stay closed....
They keep popping open with no notice so I have to tape them all shut now.
http://www.lovepotions.net
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postcardman
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posted on February 26, 2001 03:24:50 AM new
Thanks Tappati, I will see if I can track down the Tape Gun model you mention, the tape guns I am currently using are the ones that Sam's Club sells in a package with a roll of 3M clear tape, they work fine with the clear tape, but often foulup with the Priority tape, so perhaps your suggestion of a different tape gun will solve the problem. BTW is there a Cadillac or Rolls Royce of tape guns? As much time as I spend with a tape gun in hand I'd be willing to fork out for a truely superior weapon!
Tappati said: We switched tape guns and it's been great ever since. Just swapped our clear tape guns with the Priority tape gun.
The Priority tape is now on a 3M Brand H 180
Model 29200 Tape Gun. It has a spring loaded metal tension bar that holds the tape
down on the roller. Clear tape is on the 3M HB903
Model 19100 Tape Gun. This one has a fixed tension bar which always used to catch
the Priority tape and get it all gummed up.
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hinz
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posted on February 26, 2001 03:42:55 AM new
lucky3bonnie-
Where do you find scented plastic bags? Are they small garbage bags? Very nice idea!
Gail
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/hinz1/
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mzalez
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posted on February 26, 2001 06:31:57 AM new
glass person, the plastic on the Priority tape does smell like chocolate...you are not crazy! My daughter and I like to smell it. I also have a little plastic toll tag that is made of the same plastic, and it also smells like chocolate. We say cocoa!
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psalms139
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posted on February 26, 2001 06:39:13 AM new
I don't care for the new Priority Boxes. Where you are supposed to fold the box ...it doesn't fold at the correct place...thus the seal is not strong enough to hold it there. I am using more tape then ever before.
The boxes themselves are flimsy. I am not sure if a heavy item would hold up in them...even with all the tape I now use.
I think they are fine for lighter items ..but I am thinking of just getting the free boxes at stores again.
I heard if I use those boxes I have to black out all printing on the box?
I loved the Priority boxes until they changed the quality.
tapatti: I just checked my Scotch Tape 3M gun, but I don't see where the model number is. It's probably the 19100, as the tape sticks to it. I don't use it any more because of that. I will have to check out the other tape dispenser you listed...Thanks!
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mballai
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posted on February 26, 2001 06:45:24 AM new
The boxes are still free, and that does save money when you need them. Extra tape is always recommended.
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marlenedz
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posted on February 26, 2001 07:35:53 AM new
Sun818,
I buy tape from Viking Office Supplies. 1-800-762-7329. They do have a website but their prices are more expensive online that through the sales catalog. They sell their own brand, Tarten and Scotch and in different mils. I bought 72 rolls of their brand for .50 each 1.7 mil. For what I sell it works good. Scotch 2 mil (up to 22 lbs per inch tensile strength) 55 yards was going for .86 and the 109 yards was going for 1.68. Scotch best tape, 3.2 mils was going for 3.79 each for 36 rolls. You don't have to buy the largest quantity either but the price is a bit more. They also sell them by 1 roll, 18 rolls , 36 and 72 rolls.
I got lucky at the grocery store after xmas when everything was 75% off including Scotch 2 mil for only .45 each. I cleaned them out.
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 26, 2001 08:39:04 AM new
I'll have to smell the tape LOL
All the boxes are going to be the recycled non coated type, as we have all of the sizes now.
I buy the heavy duty clear large roll or tape (3MM?), besides using the USPS tape.
The video boxes are the worst, and that is why I tape all around them, sides etc, once folded and packed, it looks like the sides are bulging (no they are not over packed) and that things would/could fall out!
off to smell the tape.. chocolate???
[email protected]
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tapatti
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posted on February 26, 2001 09:04:41 AM new
To those who asked:
The cheaper gun that doesn't like the Priority tape is the very common blue-handled one that comes free with the 3M 6-roll tape pack. The model number is on the inside of the plastic 'wiper'..If you hold it straight in front of you can see it.
The 'cadillac' is the 3M 292200, brown and tan colored, model number is on the top of the handle. It's the best I ever used.
Acutally has a 3M 800 number on it to order replacement parts. (800-344-9883)
buy.com had an excellent deal on shipping supplies. Clear tape was about 65 cents a roll and shipping was free on orders over $50. Otherwise go with Viking...they are superb and in Dallas we get same day delivery.
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chum
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posted on February 26, 2001 09:41:35 AM new
"I'd be careful of using postal boxes inside out or cutting labels and altering them in any way. At my old post office a lot of people were doing that and I recieved a notice in my PO box that explained that it was illeagle and in fact a felony! I never risked it because of that. I would not want to go to prison so I could save 15 cents on a package."
I have read about turning boxes inside out, but how can you do it when the boxes are paper thin? I only used the large size boxes before the hike and to seperate it and turn it inside out would have ruined it. I took my last cases of the priority boxes to the recycle center instead of burning them(post office dident even want them back). And the labels I use for parcel post I know my postmaster really well, and he said as long as they are used for the USPS its a-ok. I dont think they will turn down over $1,000.00 a month in shipping for a 250 pack of labels that cost $2.50 to make. Now to use them for UPS is a different story.
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