posted on February 12, 2001 12:09:24 PM
I just got back from the post office, where I watched while one of my town's fellow eBay sellers was literally sent to the corner with his packages. His crime: He had not completely blacked out the preprinted writing on the recycled grocery store boxes he was using. Our post office has really cracked down on this lately, but it hadn't affected me at all because for quite a while now I've been turning my recycled boxes inside-out. I read here about folks doing this with priority mail boxes. I had never considered doing it with priority supplies, but it seemed like such a great idea that I implemented it right away with recycled grocery and liquor store boxes.
My packages look really nice--all the boxes are fresh and clean and new looking this way. On the inside it might say Charmin bath tissue, but on the outside, the boxes look great. I usually cut down one side, flip, and tape back up. Taping one extra seam is much much easier than spending time blacking out all the writing on the boxes! Plus it makes it easy to customize box sizes that way, since it's simple to trim out an extra few inches while opening the box for flipping.
I guess I just assumed everybody was already doing this. So in case you're not, hope this helps.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:13:57 PM
You've got to be kidding! Your postal clerks must really be on power trips. I've never had to do that, cross out all lettering--although they do ask to cross out any scanner code blocks. What a bunch of extra work for you.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:20:03 PM
This rule about boxes is an Old One---but the Powers that Be at the Post Office decided in January that boxes with printing on them was slowing things down and they wanted to crack down on it.
If you look around your post office walls you'll see some posters stating this.
posted on February 12, 2001 01:11:46 PM
There is good reason for the rules about boxes.I work at an airmail center. A lot of mail, first class, priority or express goes by commercial airline flights (the same ones you sit on!!)If the box is not in a bag and airline personnel can see a marking that would indicate hazardous material(such as almost any chemical or aerosol can) they will not accept it. One they refuse we CANNOT ship it by air. This results in long delays. I have had to do this many times, but had no choice as they will not take any chances with the safety of their flights. Of course,the Post Office went nuts in the wrong direction, but I guess this way there are NO arguments from customers if EVERYONE has to do it.
posted on February 12, 2001 01:28:16 PM
Yes, before it was okay, apparently, to just cross out bar codes and addresses. But then a few weeks ago these big posters went up in the lobby that said *all* printing had to be blocked out. I guess different post offices must be interpreting the "all printing" differently--mine is semi-rural and usually pretty laid back, so I was surprised to see them making the eBay guy work on his boxes like that. But even if they didn't require the blacking out, I'd still turn the boxes inside out because they look so much better.
posted on February 12, 2001 01:32:06 PM
While I have reused some boxes, I don't like using old Charmin boxes etc. Am I the only one who thinks these are tacky and unprofessional? I mean really, the USPS gives away free boxes for Priority Shipments.
I've always covered the markings on reused boxes anyway. I use Sharpie markers or Priority stickers depending on what's handy and how big the letters are that I'm trying to cover. If there is a sticker or label from, say Amazon, I tear it off if possible. If not, I cover it somehow.
posted on February 12, 2001 01:32:14 PM
Wow, thanks for mentioning this! I'll have to be more aware of the boxes I use when mailing packages, since I use whatever box I have lying about to mail out stuff(Not to worry-these are packages sent to family and friends).
posted on February 12, 2001 01:46:12 PM
I have not had probelms at our PO but then I usually only use water, coffee, and dairy creamer boxes. I know all Aresol, bleaches, paints, stains are not to be used and will only use these as the interior box.
When turning boxes inside out please make sure the item is not fragile. Both UPS and the USPS can decline a claim. Their reason is that once the box is turned inside out, it lost its integrity. I always disagree as I think we make then stronger then original but thats their way out on paying a claim. It all will depend on the claims officer.
posted on February 12, 2001 02:07:00 PM
I seldom need really large boxes, but I'll remember this tip if I do.
BTW, not only does not everything fit in a priority mailer, but some of us sellers are trying to keep costs down for our buyers by offering--gasp--first class or parcel post delivery. I can send the majority of my items for under $2.00 first class, compared to a basic $3.50 charge for priority mail. I like to think my buyers appreciate the cost savings (but of course, if they want priority and are willing to pay for it, that's what they get).
posted on February 12, 2001 02:58:29 PM
My little country PO is so friendly- they will add tape to your package, stamp it fragile for you, loan you markers, never complain, ask how you are and SMILE!! They have free candy and pennies on the counter and have customer appreciation days with refreshments!! Too bad some PO's are so darn snarly!
posted on February 12, 2001 03:05:02 PM
I love liquor boxes! Not only are they super strong, they come with the interior separate reinforcing cardboard and make great boxes for shipping fragibles. But our post office has definitely cracked down on shipping those!
So,I use the opaque, tan packing tape that is about 2 1/2" across to block out the lettering on the boxes. I think it looks very neat and tidy. I've received boxes where sellers have used "free" priority tape all over the box, but I just think it looks god-awful.
Also, if you don't want to ship priority, you can still use the priority labels, just cut the top strip off that states they are priority. This trick was shown to me by my postmaster. Of course, that doesn't mean another postmaster will accept that!
posted on February 12, 2001 03:12:00 PM
My big city post office is a lot like yours, mom. And we don't have any box restrictions. On Saturday, I watched a guy mail a Budweiser 12-pack box -- the kind you pick up from the beer fridge at the grocery store!
posted on February 12, 2001 03:45:56 PM
My suburban post office will take anything. I am always amazed at how people will ship things. I stood behind a young lady as she handed the clerk a jar with a lable on it! That's it, nothing else. They took it without a word.
I sent my husband to the P. O. to mail 4 items. One got lost and the clerk who took the packages said that he guaranteed his work and wanted to pay me for the item!
My husband is not allowed to go to the post office anymore unless he has a note pinned to his shirt.
