GrumpynAM
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:18:01 AM
I have a question about priority mail boxes, we buy and sell on Ebay. Several of our purchases were shipped first class in a priority mail box turned inside out.
When I first started selling I tried it and the first post office I went to accepted these packages for shipment, then I used the downtown post office and was informed that it is illegal to do that since the boxes are the property of the USPS and it is a violation of federal law to use these boxes in any way except priority mail. I paid the priority rate for shipping.
I guess my question is this...has anyone else had this occur? I no longer turn the boxes inside out, but still receive packages where this is done.
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borgt
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:22:09 AM
From the USPS website (must agree to these terms when ordering supplies):
I understand that Express Mail®, Priority Mail® and Global Priority Mail® packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Express Mail®, Priority Mail® and Global Priority Mail®. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.
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jewels2go
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:24:19 AM
YES....My USPS office will NOT accept priority boxes turned inside out...It is against the law.....I read on a thread in the ebay community that some people are turning those that are still trying to use the boxes....I can certainly understand why USPS doesnt want their FREE boxes used like this....I do still use the priority tape for closeure on some of my inside taping but I hear thats illegal also....Parcel Post seems to be the only way for the future....I have scouted out places to get my boxes and plan on making it part of my weekly adventures....
Good Luck
jewels2go
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marvey
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:24:22 AM
Grumpy, I have had the exact same experiences as you noted. I hadn't gotten a turned inside out priority mail box for quite awhile, I thought most post offices put a crack down on this practice. But, I received one just this week. So I guess it depends on how vigilant each individual post office is.
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webhagen
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:25:01 AM
Depends on the post office. The "official" rule from the USPS is that it is not allowed, but you may hear as many answers as there are post offices (or postal clerks). I got yelled at for doing it by my postal clerk and those guys easily intimidate me - you just never know when they'll snap! Actually, my mom-in-law is a postmaster and she tells me the turning inside out thing is a big no-no FWIW.
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cix
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:31:09 AM
When this issue first came out I called the USPS myself personally and was told that turning the boxes inside out was no big deal.
Feeling that I might have been misinformed, I called back again and spoke to a different person (both times I wrote down their names) and I was told again that it was no problem doing this.
Call 1-800-ASK-USPS , and ask them yourself. You might be surprised at what they have to say about this issue.
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horizonod
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:40:14 AM
While it IS technically "illegal" to use the priority boxes for regular mail many people do it despite warnings from the PO.
My problem is that probably a full third of the items I send PRIORITY (2-3) day delivery DO NOT reach the buyers in that time. Some have taken almost 2 WEEKS!!!!
Shouldn't THAT also be against the law??
Don't hold me to a higher standard than the PO is willing to live up to themselves.
MAIL CAN BE TRACKED. We spend about $200.00 a week on avearge shiping USPS Priority mail. Would it be so hard to issue a rebate of the extra PRIORITY fee when you're getting PARCEL POST (or less) service?
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kudzurose
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:51:48 AM
cix - I have received so many wrong answers (or NO answer) from the 800 number that I don't even call them anymore. They are not (I've been told by my local postoffice) postal employees, just contract workers with a book to look things up in.
I've asked to speak to a supervisor there, and still not gotten an answer.
Since one must sign the contract borgt posted, or agree to it, I think it is safe to say that it (using the boxes wrong-side-out) is a no-no.
[ edited by kudzurose on Jan 12, 2001 11:52 AM ]
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lowprofile
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posted on January 12, 2001 11:57:48 AM
Man you guys are cheap..
Buy your own boxes or get them free from shops around town that toss them.
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pickersangel
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posted on January 12, 2001 12:40:50 PM
When I started ordering off the USPS site, I had to sign a card stating that the free materials provided would only be used in Priority mail shipping. I haven't seen anything about using the Priority tape for interior taping, but I've always figured it was saving them money in the long run, since it's securing the bubble wrap (on items to be shipped in Priority boxes) that kept insurance claims from being filed.
always pickersangel everywhere 
http://homepage.netspaceonline.com/~twobar/pickers.htm
[ edited by pickersangel on Jan 12, 2001 12:42 PM ]
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reamond
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posted on January 12, 2001 12:42:13 PM
There is a little secret about Priority Mail- it is not guaranteed for delivery in 2-3 days. You get just as good of service if you send it first class and it costs less.
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barrelracer
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posted on January 12, 2001 12:47:02 PM
Consider this rule like a speed limit sign.
Yes, you are not supposed to use the supplies for anything but priority mail.
There is a rule like this. And the word felony certainly scares me.
However, the individual Post Offices appear to take different attitudes on this.
Much like the speeders that can go by 2 cops but the 3rd one will stop them.
~Not barrelracer on ebay, don't pick on them!~
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ritaworldwide
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posted on January 12, 2001 02:16:16 PM
I recently received an auction item package from a seller.
My auction item was packaged in a USPS Priority box (NOT turned inside out), but it was shipped via the UPS carrier(The brown truck people).
The box was used as it had a USPS postmarked label on the inside flaps, so I guess the seller was just recycling the box.<p>
Just wanted to know what others thought about this...???
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heartpurrs
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posted on January 12, 2001 02:36:34 PM
I was guilty of turning boxes myself and was turned away at the PO after waiting in a long line. My gripe is that I was re-using boxes that had previously been sent to me! I thought I was being good person by recycling. so, I solved the problem by inserting the boxes in a brown envelope,taping and re-addressing the package for shipment.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on January 12, 2001 02:45:33 PM
I understand and support the USPS in their effort to keep new Priority boxes from being used for other than Priority mailing, but once I've received a package in the mail in one of those boxes, as far as I'm concerned, it's mine. I paid for it, and I'll use the box as I see fit.
If the USPS wants to claim ownership of the boxes after they've been used, then they should be prepared to refund the cost of the box when I return it to them.
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mrssantaclaus
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posted on January 12, 2001 02:56:05 PM
I'm sure the post office will give you back what you spent for the Priority Mail box if you ask them.
ROTFL
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pickersangel
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posted on January 12, 2001 03:17:58 PM
I believe that the policies do say that the used Priority boxes may be recycled as described, but it seems to me that one would have to be able to determine by looking at the box that it was indeed used.
always pickersangel everywhere
http://homepage.netspaceonline.com/~twobar/pickers.htm
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 12, 2001 04:08:03 PM
It is a fact that priority mail is NOT guaranteed, but it DOES travel faster than first class mail!
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tc61380
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posted on January 12, 2001 10:29:47 PM
No it's not
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dhamjpsnet
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posted on January 13, 2001 10:29:04 AM
How stupid are you people??!! Isn't it obvious that these boxes are made for the sole purpose of shipping things priority mail? Do you think that they were made to be used as some sort of box welfare program for cheapskate eBay sellers? You are also probably the ones that are complaining about rate hikes, well it's YOUR fault!
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harvestmoon
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posted on January 13, 2001 10:36:34 AM
I admit I used to turn the priority boxes inside out on occasion, but don't do it anymore since it's in violation, yada, yada. I wanted to bid on a book on tape a few weeks back and the postage was pretty hefty for such a lightweight item. Since the item did not receive any bids, I later emailed the seller and asked him if he would sell it to me at the book rate. He agreed and I received the pkg a few days later in one of those manilla envelopes. Inside of the envelope was the small video size priority box containing the book on tape that he was originally going to send it in. Long story short, he was able to still use the priority box, but since it was in the manilla envelope, he only had to be pay book rate. Heaven only knows what the ramifications would have been had he gotten caught. I cringe at the thought.
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abacaxi
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posted on January 13, 2001 11:37:37 AM
harvestmoon -
If the envelope had ripped, exposing the Priority box, you would have been charged the postage due ... the difference between Priority and Book Rate.
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cix
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posted on January 13, 2001 12:59:53 PM
I have few questions now.
If you turn a box inside out, who will report it ?
If you send the item right away and your customer is happy with the item, are they going to turn you in for using a Priority box inside out ? Are they going to actually take the time to go to the Post Office and report this ?
How else would the USPS know that the box has been turned inside out ?
Is it not against the law to open someone else's mail ?
I understand if the Priority mail box is in a manilla envelope and the envelope tears, but other than that, how else would the USPS know ?
Also, in keeping track of my items shipped I have found that Parcel Post, First Class, and Priority Maill all pretty much get delivered at the same time. There is not that big of a difference in shipping delays and arrivals.
So if the USPS charges more for Priority Mail, shouldn't they provide some type of guarantees for this service relative to the extra charges ?
Aside from free boxes, I do not see any advantages to shipping Priority. And I can get free boxes at Wal-mart and they won't dictate what I do with them. Boxes are just recycleable cardboard to them.
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vargas
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posted on January 13, 2001 01:28:49 PM
If you turn a box inside out, who will report it?
An incensed customer.
If you send the item right away and your customer is happy with the item, are they going to turn you in for using a Priority box inside out? Are they going to actually take the time to go to the Post Office and report this?
We've had threads right here at AW started by incensed buyers who've reported sellers for priority box abuse. Some eBayers work for the PO, too.
How else would the USPS know that the box has been turned inside out?
Priority video boxes are stamped "USPS" on the inside. Makes 'em pretty easy to spot, even inside out.
Is it not against the law to open someone else's mail?
Yes
I understand if the Priority mail box is in a manilla envelope and the envelope tears, but other than that, how else would the USPS know?
See previous answers
Boxes that size aren't expensive if purchased from a local box manufacturer.
I do agree with mrpotatohead on the recycling issue, however. It's a darned waste when one of those boxes actually gets to its destination in reusable shape, and you can't even reuse it.
edited to fix my stupid ubb errors
[ edited by vargas on Jan 13, 2001 01:58 PM ]
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rjslack54
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posted on January 13, 2001 01:44:14 PM
Hi,
Just wanted to let you know that I do not ship with USPS. I use UPS. But I ship things in priority boxes turned the correct way. Not inside out. If they cannot be used for anything other than priority shipping why does UPS not care if I use them??
I think that some people are just icky-picky about rules. And want to be a butt about it.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
rjslack54
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abacaxi
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posted on January 13, 2001 02:01:13 PM
cix -
"If you turn a box inside out, who will report it ? "
I will. These boxes are not a governmental subsidy to cheapskate sellers, they are PAID FOR by users of priority mail.
"If you send the item right away and your customer is happy with the item, are they going to turn you in for using a Priority box inside out ? Are they going to actually take the time to go to the Post Office and report this ?"
Yes, some will
"How else would the USPS know that the box has been turned inside out ? "
Aside from the tell-tale "USPS" stamped all over the inside, they might spot the size and shape and get curious.
"Is it not against the law to open someone else's mail ? "
Not when you are a USPS Postal Inspector Although they do reseal the packages with special tape. They have opened a few of my packages before I got them.
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uaru
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posted on January 13, 2001 02:39:05 PM
If you order priority boxes and turn them inside out to save bucks why not also include an advertisement for yourself inside?
WE CHEAT THE OTHER GUY AND PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU
I'm sure some buyers will appreciate the methods you employ for their benefit and it will NEVER dawn on them that they could be the 'other guy' at some point.
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luvmy2bears
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posted on January 13, 2001 03:01:25 PM
Here's something to think about.
Most packages sent to me are left in a big package box that we have. So we never have to pick up packages at the post office anymore. But one day last summer I recieved a package ticket, not the package. When I went to pick it up it was a small package (inside was a cassette tape) and it was one of the small priority boxes turned inside out. It had been shipped bookrate for $0.78. I thout that that was a good deal for me when I bought it! But the reason they made me pick it up? To pay the remaining $2.42 so that the full $3.20 was paid since a priority box was used. I was fuming! I thought that it was a lazy cheap thing for the seller to do.
So as a buyer, I say skip the cheapo method and just buy some boxes. Even if it means charging a small fee to the buyer. It's the honest thing to do. And good salesmanship.
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chum
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posted on January 13, 2001 03:23:38 PM
Here is a simple solution. Lets tell the postal service to quit giving free boxes, and lower the price back to $3.20!! You can buy boxes cheap on eBay, alot cheaper than the rate hike! I buy 8x8x8 boxes for .45 cents each with shipping. Also dont feel bad for the USPS. A good friend of mine that works there says they make the boxes from recycled paper they get for FREE, they own the company that makes them, and to send them to users is FREE since they are shipped through the USPS. I would be surprised if they have five cents invested per box.
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heyheyjan
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posted on January 13, 2001 06:05:58 PM
Three different clerks at my post office have told me just to turn the box inside out. However, I have tons of plain old brown boxes saved, so I rarely have had to do that. I guess I will make it a "NEVER DO THAT" from now on! I always figured that either way, we were using the USPS & paying postage so who cared which way you turned the box?! Guess I will be a good girl from now on ......just because MY PO says ok, I have to remember the package goes through a lot more than just this one. Consider me properly chastised. @¿@
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