unknown
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posted on January 15, 2001 12:06:51 PM new
I had some prority mail boxes on order from the Post office since before christmas. The must have been out of stock becuse I just got them.
I use the small Video box, 8.5" x 5.5" x 1.75"
They are so cheap!
First they no longer have the glossy finish, which is great because now my rubber stamps don't smudge. But the cardboard is very low grade. Extermely thin, I crushed one just pushing the adhesive flap closed.
I think I'm going to have to put the stuff in a bubble padded mailer inside the box.
I guess it's the "you get what you pay for"
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RainyBear
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posted on January 15, 2001 12:11:54 PM new
The PO is really cutting costs. They no longer have 24 hour telephone customer service, either, which sucks because I'm trying to determine the whereabouts of an Express Mail envelope which I mailed on Friday and which still hasn't arrived. Not that the people who answered the phone were ever very helpful anyway.
I really wonder if making cheap-o priority mail boxes will be a cost savings in the long run, though, if insurance claims increase because of things breaking inside them.
[ edited by RainyBear on Jan 15, 2001 12:13 PM ]
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ryinn
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posted on January 15, 2001 12:16:47 PM new
Hmmmm...
I just got an order and did notice the boxes were no longer had a gloss finish, but I like them better without it.
Honestly, I didn't notice it was thinner nor have I had any problems. I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks!
Oh well, the supplies are "free" although they did raise the price of Priority Mail on January 7. 
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unknown
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posted on January 15, 2001 12:18:42 PM new
You can check Express mail package status on line at:
http://www.usps.com/cttgate/welcome.htm
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keziak
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posted on January 15, 2001 12:22:01 PM new
I had trouble with some of the cheap ones because even though I was careful, I didn't bend the end flaps down correctly and they didn't fold over properly.
I also think they feel flimsier.
keziak
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on January 15, 2001 12:27:22 PM new
"you get what you pay for"
Unless one's auctions offer free shipping, the buyer is the one paying for the box in the first place.
I really wonder if making cheap-o priority mail boxes will be a cost savings in the long run, though...
Raise the price of priority postage + reduce the cost of the boxes provided = Increased profits for the post office.
Sellers will continue to use the boxes anyway since they don't have to pay for them- the cost is pased on to the buyer, who is often given no choice in the matter.
...if insurance claims increase because of things breaking inside them.
Claims may increase, but who wants to bet how many will be collected on when the post office makes a determination of "insufficient packing"?
I think I'm going to have to put the stuff in a bubble padded mailer inside the box.
This is the next round of P/H increases for buyers- additional packing required to make flimsy priority boxes usable.
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cassiescloset
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:03:41 PM new
Maybe a thinner box will shave a few ounces off the weight and qualify for a lower shipping cost.
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chococake
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:11:04 PM new
cassie - now that's looking on the bright side.
Can the old boxes still be used or did they make some kind of rule about that?
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london4
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:20:21 PM new
The old boxes can still be used, but the new rule is that if you use a USPS priority box, you have to pay the 2 pd. rate even if it could go for the one pound rate. You can put priority stickers on items you're shipping at the one pound rate but have to use your own box.
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magazine_guy
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:30:47 PM new
"The old boxes can still be used, but the new rule is that if you use a USPS priority box, you have to pay the 2 pd. rate even if it could go for the one pound rate. You can put priority stickers on items you're shipping at the one pound rate but have to use your own box."
No....you're confusing the flat rate envelope with the boxes. The flat rate envelope goes for the 2 lb. priority rate, regardless of how much stuff you cram into it.
The priority boxes go for 3.50 for up to 1 lb, $3.95 for up to 2 lbs, and so on.
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chococake
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:33:53 PM new
London - where did you find that? I've got to read it. That's crazy, why would something under a pound have to go at the 2 pound rate just because they change the look of a box?
What about other size boxes. To me that's really a waste of money if I have to throw them away. And, is there some rule about taking USPS property to the dumps? They seem to have a rule for everything else. Maybe I should take them to the back of the post office and leave them all on the loading dock.
Hope you will all write to me when I'm in jail.
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london4
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:58:49 PM new
I looked on the USPS website and can't find it. My apologies if I have it wrong, but the clerk at my post office told me this Saturday and I had to rewrap it. But it does make more sense for the envelope only and not the boxes. I'll try again this week and see how I fare.
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avaloncourt
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posted on January 15, 2001 09:13:48 PM new
I have serious doubts about that also. There is a flat rate envelope that must go at the 2lb rate even though your item may be lighter but I've never seen anything at all on forcing high weights on boxes. It just isn't so.
Unless the new boxes have printed on them that they must carry a 2lb fee then that statement is absolutely wrong.
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janusaries
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posted on January 15, 2001 09:23:51 PM new
My local Postmistress insists that if it's
in a USPS Priority Box, it HAS to go at the new 2 lb. rate. Period.
I specifically HATE the adhesive on the new boxes. I like the fact that it appears to be stronger/tackier than the adhesive on the old boxes, but it is SO strong that it is difficult to peel off the protective strip over it in order to seal the box. #@#@!!!@!
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avmom
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posted on January 15, 2001 09:46:26 PM new
As long as we are talking about Priority rates, I ran into a friend who frequently ships books. The flat rate $3.95 is, anything you can fit in there regardless of weight is $3.95. I was in disbelief. I asked the clerk and they verified the same information. Unfortunately, I have no need for a flat envelope. Thought I would pass it along to someone who might. I couldn't believe my girlfriend who stuffed two books & an audio cassette in one of those things!
avmom (not avmom on eBay)
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magazine_guy
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posted on January 15, 2001 10:11:32 PM new
Part of the confusion might have been with the postal computers that apparently were charging $3.95 for priority up to 1 lb- this was reported in other threads and caused confusion at the windows. Don't know if it's fixed or not.
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dave_michmerhuizen
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posted on January 15, 2001 10:25:03 PM new
Postmasters are like doctors. Keep trying them until you find one that tells you what you want to hear.
ebay: [email protected]
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jhf2662
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posted on January 15, 2001 10:31:39 PM new
RE: the 1lb $3.50 rate, I guess I wouldn't ahve noticed, but the clerk at my P.O. was carefully adjusting the rates on 4 video boxes I sent out, she exlained to me that the computers aren't programmed right yet... Sigh I guess some clerks wouldn't bother, but I am a regular & I do have all my boxes filled out correctly when I get there...SIGH
All that & a Bag of Chips Too!!
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Crystalline_Sliver
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posted on January 16, 2001 12:17:41 AM new
I still have an old stock of the older Priority Boxes, and maybe I can ask a scientist friend of mine to "run" a few tests for me.
I did get a few from the PO, and there is a considerable difference from the old and new.
Placed side by side, the older is more thicker than the newer. Maybe by a few millimeters.
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
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