posted on November 29, 2000 10:28:56 PM
A neighbor bought 5 boxes worth of books from Barnes&Noble.com, and gave me the boxes it came in. They were Priority mail Boxes, but with one exception:
If you haven't seen it, it has not only the Priority Stripes, it also has several B&N logos stamped onto the box.
Anyway, finding myself short of a box, I ripped off the shipping label on one of them, and packed the items into the B&N Box.
I managed to catch the Carrier, and I gave her the boxes.
Till she throws the B&N box back at me.
"Sorry, but you can't use that box for Priority Shipping. Barnes & Noble paid for the box, you didn't. You could get fined for it. better safe than sorry."
(Side Note: it wasn't the usual carrier that does the route; she was on disability leave.)
Frustrated, I brought the package to the PO and asked the window clerk.
He notes "One less box we have to print. You can use it."
Okay, i'm confused. I have 4 other Priority Boxes with B&N stamped on it. Can I or can't I use it?
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on November 29, 2000 10:30:38 PM
Take the box apart and turn it inside out----if it is the same box that I had from Barnes and Noble, they snap apart and together really easy....and there is no printing on the inside.
posted on November 29, 2000 10:40:15 PM
Now don't you go starting the "Turn-Inside Out" debacle again.
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on November 29, 2000 11:01:37 PM
Those Barnes & Noble boxes are shaped completely different than the ones that you get at the post office.
Wrap it in brown paper if you feel real concerned.
I think the USPS should be ashamed of themselves for not wanting boxes re-used. We are constantly told to reuse, reduce and recycle---but the USPS tells you not to....don't make sense to me.
posted on November 29, 2000 11:36:09 PM
I think you need to inform your carrier that Barnes & Noble didn't pay anything to print those boxes, just like Amazon.
I once called the business supply office of the postal service inquiring about a unique Priority box size that had been sent to me. I told her that it was something not available on the regular supply lists. She asked me for the number on the box and I gave it to her.
She told me that high volume shippers get perks from the postal service such as specialized size or imprinted boxes and they get quantities exceeding 10,000 in a printing.
This is just like Delivery Confirmation. If you're a registered commercial mailer you get Delivery Confirmation for free if you submit your list electronically according to postal service specs.
The next time you see your carrier, hand her the box your VCR came in and then yank it back while saying... oops I think Panasonic paid for that box, I guess I can't use it.
[ edited by avaloncourt on Nov 29, 2000 11:37 PM ]
posted on November 29, 2000 11:36:52 PM
If that happened to me, I'd tell the driver that since B&N had purcased the box, they then gave it to me to do with as I please! If I got anymore resistance, I'd get his or her name down and call up the postmaster about it (yes, I'm the type that does that!) and let them 'clarify' the rules a bit to the driver.
posted on November 30, 2000 05:10:48 AM
Turn it inside out !!!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE !!
Why waste time crying about it when the solution is that simple. If I have a Priority box someone sent me (and I don't care who sent it to me or who paid for it !!) I turn it inside out and re-use it.
I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT THE POST OFFICE THINKS !!!!!!!!!
posted on November 30, 2000 05:17:42 AM
Yes I got something in a really handy size box and asked about getting some more. I was informed the minimum order was 4 SKIDS and I had to have a dock for a tractor trailer and a fork lift to order!
posted on November 30, 2000 06:23:11 AM
What cix said!
And we all might just as well develop a laid back and tolerant attitude (when possible) in dealing with postal employees, because many of them, if not most, don't know SQUAT about postal regulations.
Since changes in several rates/services that are important to us will occur in January, it is only going to get worse.
posted on November 30, 2000 11:54:58 AMcix and kudzurose: Re-read the initial post next time. Ever hear of a SECOND OPINION?
And note that the usual carrier on the route was on disability leave. I called her today, and she balked at the carrier's attitude.
The only time a carrier is to refuse a properly filled out package is if it's left alone and unattended (I think it was the Unabomber Scare Rule or something like that).
Personally, now I fully trust the clerks than that carrier.
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on November 30, 2000 12:56:09 PM
Here is a plan to FORCE her to take the package.
Somehow figure out when the mail person will come. Spy ahead and wait to see them about 3 houses away from yours. Cover yourself in water, same with your armpit area and any area where sweat shows through. Quickly lay down on the ground (preferably right next to the mailbox in the grass), lay on your stomach with your face down, and act dead/passed out.
When the mail person comes to you, slowly look up and cough. Say that you packed this package with all your might and love and that if it isn't taken right now you will surely die. Fall back down and cough some more.
If she doesn't accept the package, then you know that they are truely sinister and should be avoided at all costs.
posted on November 30, 2000 01:20:03 PM
This is incredible! Do you mean to tell me that the USPS has a problem with recycling??? What a bunch of idiots. The only people that benefit from this policy are the landfill operators!
On a related issue, on a recent auction I won for a video tape, the seller (USA) told me that she could either pack the tape in bubble wrap and put it in an evelope mailer, or use a USPS box that would cost her/me an extra $2.95. Does the USPS charge for these now, and if they do, for $2.95 it should have t-ts!!!
